The Portland daily press., 1869-04-08
XLIst CONGRESS First Session
SENATE.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, April THE Chaplaip nrav
ed to-day that the patriot arms of Cuba nigh
be strengthened and the isles of the sea deliy
cred from oppression.
Mr.. humbull, from the Judiciary Commit
tee, reported bill to carry into effect the trea
" between the United States and the Empe
FOR of ali Russia
Mr.: Trumbull called up the bill to amend the
judicial laws of the United States. He report
ed an amendment allowing that any JUS
tlce OF the Supreme Court who, on attaining
the age OF 20 years, shall retire, shall thereaf-
ter receive his salary during the remainder OF
his natural life. He explained the object Of
the amendment.
Several other amendments of detail reported
by the Judiciary Committee were made to the
bill, which now goes back to the House for
concurrence
Mr. Williams called up the bill to aid in the
construction of the branch of the Pacific rail-
road to Portland, Oregon, which was amended
and passed.
The expiration of the morning hour brought
up the Joint resolution to protect the interests
OF the United States in the Pacific railroad.
Mr. Fessenden moved to postpone all prior
orders and take up the deficiency appropria-
ton II. Carried, 80 to IA.
The Senate then proceeded to consider the
deficiency appropriation bill and certain amend
ments reported by the Commlttee on ApprO-
priations. Agreed to.
Mr. Fessenden, from the committee, report
ed an amendment creating the Office of Super
intendent of the Department of the Interior,
and making appropriation for the salary of Su-
perintendent at the same rate as salary of the
Superintendent of the Treasury Department
Agreed TO.
Mr.. Drake offered an amendment making an
preparation for the salary of Solicitor and Ma
val Judge Advocate General Agreed to-
Mr: ison, from the Committee on Militia
mn fToT I'D
joint resolution for the protection of soldiers
and their heirs in regard to the payment of
bountes.
Mr.. Edmunds. from the Committee on PEN
sons, reported bill to authorize officers of the
Executive Departments to administer oaths in
certain cases.
Mr.. Wilson, from the Military Committee,
offered an amendment authorizing the Secre-
tary of War to make transfer of appropriations
from military districts having them in excess,
TO carry into effect the reconstruction laws in
the districts where money may be needed for
that purpose.
An amendment appropriating $159,0OO for
the improvement of navigation Of the st. Clair
fats and river, and $4,000 for the improve
ment Of the mouth of the Mississippi river was
voted down.
Mr.. Wiley, by unanimous consent, offered
amendment to pay salaries of fifteen first class
clerks in the Patent Office at $1400 each, and
twenty-one second class clerks at $1,000 each.
Agreed to.
Mr.. Morton offered an amendment directing
the Secretary of War, with the approval of the
President, to appoint board of scientific en-
gineers to examine and report upon the proper
width of span for railroad bridges across the
Ohio river, and providing that until Congress
shall act upon said report no bridges shall be
erected over the river with span less than 400
feet in width over the main channel The
amendment was ruled out of order and the bill
then passed.
Messrs. Fesssnden, Harlan and Cole were
appointed a committee of conference ON the
Indian appropriation bill.
The Vice President laid before the Senate
message from the President recommending
that before adjourning Congress shall provide
for the submission of the Virginia Constitu-
ton to the people some time during May OF
June, at an election to be held under the diree-
ton of the military commander Of the district,
with view to the submission of the Constitu-
ton as adopted by the people, to Congress at
the commencement of the next session and the
early admission of the State to represents tion.
The message makes similar recommendation
as to Mississippi.
At4P. NJ the Senate went into executive
session after which it adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Paine, from the Committee on Elections.
reported a resolution authorizing the sub-com-
mittee to take testimony in Louisiana during
the recess, in reference to elections in that
State. Adopted.
Mr.. Heaton, from the same committee, made
a report that John B. Rodgers would be enti-
tied to his seat as Representative from Tennes-
see as soon as Congress should enact law for
that purpose, and he also reported such bill,
which was ordered to be printed
The House then proceeded to the considera-
ton Of the Indian appropriation BILL
Mr.. Dawes, chairman of the Committee on
Appropriations, moved as an amendment an
additional section providing that nothing con-
trined in the act shall be construed as ratify-
ing or approving any Indian treaty made since
the 10th of July, 1867. Agreed to.
The vote was then taken on the amendment
placing $2,000OO0 at the disposal of the Presi-
dent to preserve peace with the Indians, and it
was agreed TO, SO to SO. The Democrats gene
rally voted in the negative.
The action of the committee of the whole on
the other amendment was concurred in.
Mr.. Ingersoll moved to suspend the rules
that he might report from the Committee ON
Roards and Canals, bill for the creation Of q
commission of engineers on the erection of
railroad bridges across the Ohio river, and pro-
hibiting until further assent by Congress, the
cree ion Of bridges of less span than 400 feet
over the main channel. The rules were not
suspended, ayes II, nays 53-less than two
thirds in the affirmative.
Mr.. Butler OF Massachusetts, from the Com
mittee on Reconstruction reported bill to en-
force the 14th amendment to the Constitution
and laws of the United States and to restore
the State Of Georgia to Republican govern
ment, elected under its new constitution. The
bill, which has been heretofore published, hav-
ing been read Mr.. Butler proceeded to explain
and advocate it, and read some paragraphs from
a Georgia newspaper, the La Grange Report
er, to show the hostility still existing there
against the reconstruction measure.
Messrs. Bingham, Beck, Eldridge and Wood
ward also made remarks.
Mr.. Butler moved the previous question.
The House refused to second the previous
question, 81 to 81.
Mr.. Butler then resumed the floor and pro-
ceeded with his argument in support of the
bill.
Mr.. Best made an argument against the bill.
The bill was temporarily laid aside, and Mr..
Lynch, chairman of the Select Committee on
American navigation interests, reported a res
olution authorizing the committee to sit dur
ing the vacation at such places as deemed ad-
visable, for the purpose of examining witness
es and taking testimony, to be reported to the
House the second Monday in January. Adopt
eli.
Mr.. washburne of Wisconsin, from the Com
mittee on Appropriations, reported bill ap-
propriating $1,000 900 for repair, extension
preservation and completion of works for the
rivers and harbors. to lie expended under the
direction Of the Secretary of War. Passed.
Mr.. Burr offered resolution authorizing
the Speaker to designate member to repre-
sent the minority of Committee on Elections
in the Louisiana investigation. Adopted
Mr.. Banks, chairman of the Foreign Affairs
Committee, offered a resolution authorizing
the committee to sit during the sessions of the
House and during the vacation for the investi
cation of the Paragnayan matter. Adopted.
A conference committee was ordered on the
bill in reference to the Usage Indian lands.
Mr.. Davis, from the Judiciary Committee
reported a bill to establish uniform system O
naturalization. Ordered printed and recon
mitted.
The House then resumed the consideration
of the Georgia bill, and was addressed by Mr.
VOORHEES, in opposition to it.
Messrs Bingham and Schenck also opposed
thu bill.
Mr.. Bingham moved the postponement o
the bill till the first Monday in December nexl
and demanded the previous question.
The previous question was not seconded anG
the bill was laid aside temporarily and con
ference committee ON the Indian appropriation
bill ordered, and Messrs. Dawes, Bingham ant
Beck appointed.
The message of the President urging actor
10 reference to Virginia and Mississippi befor
the adjournment Of Congress was read to tn
House.
Mr.. Butler, of Massachusetts,, moved to re
fer the message to the Reconstruction Commit
lee.
Mr.. Brooks moved to refer it to the Judiciar
Committee.
Mr.. Dickey objected.
Without disposing of the question the House
at $40 adjourned.