The Portland daily press., 1869-02-01
XLth O0NGRESS---Third Session.
SENATE

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3d. Senator Wilson pre-.
sented petition of the merchants of Boston
in favor of a new reciprocity treaty with Can
ada. Referred to the Foreign Committee
Mr.. Sumner presented the proceedings
the Republican Executive Committee of Fred
ericksburg, Va, protesting against the remov-
al of political disabilities proposed by the rebel
element in that State. Referred to Committee
on Judiciary.
Mr.. Morgan presented resolution from the
Chamber OF Commerce, New York, recon.
mendiDg plan for the settlement of the diff
cultes of the nation. Referred to Committee
-on Finance. XIX,
Mr.. Pomeroy presented petitions in favor Of
woman suffrage. Laid ON the table. s..'
Mr.. Stewart made a personal explanation
denying that he had any personal interest in
the settlement of the McGarrahan claim
Mr.. Wilson offered resolution, which was
agreed to, directing the Secretary of War to
report plan for a branch Soldiers Home on
the Pacific coast.
The constitutional amendment came I'D but
the debate was postpont to take up the ap-
propriation bills, of which two are for invalid
pensions and tor the support OF a Military Aea-
denny, and were passed.
An amendment was adopted authorizing the
Secretary of the Navy to expend any portion
OF the $4,000 which is thereby appropriated
land 10 the Pacific.
MIR. Cragin moved an amendment continu-
ing the office of Solicitor and Naval Judge Ad-
vocate General, and appropriating $4,000 for
his salary Rejected
The bill then passed
Mr.. Morton introduced bill to enable the
people of Montana to form a constitution and
State government, for admission of said State
INTO the Union. Referred to Committee ON
Territories
The death of Mr.. Fnney lately member of
the House from Pennsylvania was announced,
and the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr. Schenck, from the Committee on WAYS
and Means, reported bill providing that every
deputy collector or assistant assessor of inter-
nal revenue who has performed the duties of
collector or assessor on account of the suspen-
sion or illness of such collector or assessor
shall receive the compensation of collector or
assessor, except in cases where the collector or
assessor has already received compensation for
the same period Mr.. Schenck after brief
explanation of the bill, went on to state how
Congress is Systematically slandered by claim
agents and prowlerS around the capital, and
in that connection read a circular addressed by
Washington claim agent to persons who
would be benefited by the pending bill, stat
ing that the writer and other influential par
ties would undertake to obtain the passage of
such bill on allowance being made to them
of 90 per cent. on the amount recovered. He
would not mention the name of the writer
This was an old game, He knew an instance
in former Congress in which man levied on
claimant the large sum of $4,000 and actual
ly rece we'd it for influencing member of the
committee to obtain a favorable report, when
that member never knew nor heard of the ras-
cal. lie did not assume that members of Con-
giess were any better than the rest of the
world, and he would not be expected to con-
less mat they were any worse than the same
number of respectable gentlemen anywhere.
After further remarks by Mr.. Schenck the
bill was passed. 3.
The morning hour was dispensed with and
the constitutional amendment came up for ac-
tioti.
Tue question was taken on Mr.. Burr's mo-
ton to lay it on the table. That motion was
rejected-yeas Al, nays 81. .as
Mr.. Shellabarger modified the amendment
which he offered yesterday back to its original
form, as follows: No State shall make or enforce
any law which shall deny or abrdge to any
male citizen of the United States of the age
OF q or over, and who is of sound mind, an
equal vote at all elections in which he shall be
prescribed by law, except TO such as have en-
gaged or may hereafter engage in instruction
or rebellion against the United States, and to
such as shall be duly convicted OF treason or
other infamous crime.
Mr.. Bingham modified his amendment so as
to read: No State shall make or enforce any
law which shall deny or abridge to any male
citizen of the United States of sound mind and
Il years OF age or upwards, the exercise of the
elective franchise at all elections in the State
wherein he shall have actually resided for one
year next preceding such election, subject te
such registration law and laws prescribing 10
cal residence as the State may exact, except
such of said citizens as shall engage in rebel
lion or inSnrreotion, or who may have been or
shall be duly convicted of treason or other in
famous crime, ID.
Mr.. Boutwell, moved the previous question.
Mr.. Ell ridge asked Mr.. Boutwell, to with
draw the previous question in order that he
might appeal to the gentleman from Ohio
(Sheabarger) to modify his amendment
Every sentiment and feeling of his (Eldlidge)
nature was against e1 post Jdcto laws, ard
against the conviction OF any person for crime
by act OF Congress. He therefore appealed to
the gentleman to modify his amendment so as
to make it apply to future offences. (Cries Of
question:
After some remarks by Messrs. Schenck and
Bingham in reference to their amendments
Mr. Boutwell, said: We are safe if we stand On
the resolution as reported by the committee
and in my Judgment we are unsafe if we ac-
cept the amendment which we ourselves are
unable to understand so as to agree in opinion
He insisted on the previous question and was
seconded.
Mr.. Shellabarger's amendment was rejected
yeas 81, nays 126.
MT; Bingham's amendment was rejected
yeas 26, nays 158.
The Democrats all voted for the amendment
IN the nrst instance, but subsequently ma
Jorlty OF them changed their votes to the neg
alive.
The question recurring on the ORIGINAL prop.
osition, Mr., Brooks asked Mr.. Boutwell, whetb-
err he would not consent to have a vote taken
on his (Brooks) amendment to give the fran
chise to women and children over twelve years
of age.
Mr.. Boutwell, replied that he did not think
Mr.. Brooks was serious in that inquiry.
The yeas aud nays were then taken ON or,
dering the joint resolution to be engrossed and
read the third time, and it was so ordered
yeas IA, nays 49,
The Indian appropriation bill was discussed
IN committee of the whole, but subsequently
was laid aside, and Mr.. Woodward, of Penn
sylyania, made a speech against Mr. Jencks
civil service bill.
The committee then rose.
MI. Ross, of Illinois, introduced resolution
amending the naturalization laws so as to en-
Referred to Committee on Revision of Laws