The Portland daily press., 1869-03-17
LATEST NEWS
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE
PORTLAND DAILY PRESS.
Wednesday Morning, March II, 1859.
XLIst O0NGRESS---First Session,
SENATE,


WASHINGTON, March 16.-Mr. Crag;n offere,
an amendment, which was agreed to. limiting
the offices of Solicitor and Naval Judge Advo
cate General until June 80, 1869. The bill
passed.
message was received from the President
1Tansmistlng the report of the directors OF the
Union Pacific railroad
On motion of Mr.. Patterson the Senate IN
slsted upon its amendment to the resolution
providing for joint committee on resrencn-
ment, and asked for committee OF conieIsAce'
The House resolution for ad]ournment Oh
the 18th was reported and taDlee.
Mr. TrumbuIs Joint resolution respecting
provisional governments in Virginia and Texas
was passed.
Mr.. Sherman introduced joint resolution
authorizing the recognition of the indepen-
dence of Cuba. Referred to Committee on
Foreign Affairs.
Mr.. Pomsroy introduced bill to define the
qualification of voters in Utah. 1t establishes
woman suffrage.
On motion of Mr.. Grimes the Senate then
resumed the consideration of the unfinished
business of yesterday.
In the bill to reorganize the navy the 70.
malnlng amendments reported by the commit
tee were agreed to.
Mr.. Trumbull offered an amendment provid-
ing that the pay of midshipmen shall be $lOOO
per annum. Agreed to.
Mr.. Sumner from the Committee on forelgn
Relations reported favorably bills to carry into
effect the DEGREES of the New York, southern
district Court, in the cases of the British
steamer Labnan and schooner Sybil; also the
DEGREES OF the Louisiana District Court in the
cases of the vessels Valiant, Science, Dashipg
Wave and Flying Scud.
Mr.. Rice introduced bill to aid in the con-
struotion of the International Pacific railroad
from Cairo, Ill.,, to the Rio Grande, in the di-
rection of San Blaz, or Mazatlan or Pacific
coast; authorizing the consolidation of certain
railroad companies, and to provide homesteads
for laborers on their roads. Referred to Com
mlttee ON Pacific Railroad. 1t proposes guar
antee OF interest to the extent of $15, 900 per
mile.
Mr.. Howard introduced bill to grant lands
to the Northern Michigan railroad company il
extension of the Northern Pacific railroad
Referred to Committee on Pacific Railroad.
On motion of Mr.. Trumbull the bill TO repeal
the tenure of Office act was then taken up.
The Secretary read the bill with the amend
ment reported by the Judiciary Committee
yesterday, striking out the word repeated"
and inserting instead suspended until the
next session of Congress-"
Dlr. Trumbull briefly reviewed the practice
of legislation in regard to appointments.
Mr.. Thurston favored the repeal of the act
regarding it as unconstitutional.
Mr.. Morton also advocated an unconditional
repeal He was opposed to enaeting law
whichnshowed want of confidence in the
Mr.. Yates took q similar view. He was for
giving all power to the new administration in
the matter of removals and then holding it re-
sponsbe.
Mr.. Fessenden would vote for the repeal of
the law because he was opposed to it from the
nrst. He had foreseen that it weuld do more
evil than good.
Mr.. Howard protested against the imputa-
ton that vote against repeal or suspension
showed want of confidence in the President
He had voted for the law MOI to restrain An
drew johnson, but to put ON the statute books
salutary law; he would, however, for the
sake of harmony with his brother Senators,
vote for the suspension, but would not agree
to a repeal.
Mr.. Edmunds thought curiosity would be
excited to know why this attempt to repeal
law, which some of our wisest and pHrest men
had struggled for: The supporters of the re-
peal were of two classes. The Democrats advo-
Gated 1t solid; some on principle, probably,
others no doubt thought the Republican party
would place itself in the wrong and occupy
the position of resorting to a mean and un
constitutional contrivance against a disked
executive, while they made haste to abandon
1T in favor of one they liked.
After further discussion and without reach
ing vote, the Senate went into executive ses-
sion and at o'clock adjourned
HOUSE.
Mr.. Cullom presented the petition of Messrs.
Bliss aud Masterman in relation to imprison-
meut 10 Paraguay by Lopez, and subsequently
on board the steamer Wasp and flag ship
Guerrier, and in that connection offered res
oluton for the appointment of select COM
mittee of five to inquire into the circumstances.
Referred to Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The bill relative to the coinage of copper
nickle pieces came up.
Mr.. Butler m Jved an amendment providing
that the purchase of all material for coinage
shall be made by public advertisement and the
contract given to the lowest bidder. A debate
ensued, after which tire bill was recommitted
to the Coinage Committee.
Mr.. Beamen introduced bill dividing the
State and territory of Texas into several States
and territories. Referred to Committee on
Reconstruction.
Mr.. Dawes introduced a bill to regulate COM
pensaton in cases of contested elections. Re-
ferred to Committee on Elections.
The House at o'clock adjourned.