The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-12-18
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XLIst CONGRESS---Seeond Session.
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SENATE.

XLIst CONGRESs---Second SESSION
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-Mr. Spencer intro
duced bill to abolish the Office of naval Of
ficer Referred to the Commute on Com
merce
Mr.. Schurz introduced bill to prevent per-
sons who have been officers in the Treasury
Department from aiding in the prosecution of
losses against the United States. Referred.
Mr.. Pomeroy offered a resolution, which was
adopted, directing the Postmaster General to
furnish copies of the communication with the
French government relative to certain modifi-
cations of the postal arrangements.
On motion of Mr.. Sumner the Senate took
up the bill relative to telegraphic communica-
lions between the United States and foreign
countries The bill was read. 1t provides that
whenever communications shall hereafter be
established between the United States and any
foreign country by means of telegraphic or
magnetic lines or cable the same shall be sub
iect to the following conditons
The government of the United States is to
enjoy equal privileges with any foreign gov
eminent with regard to the use and control of
such cable and at all times to be entitled to
transmit by its own operator government mes
sages which shall take precedence of all others
and to be paid for at rates established by the
Postmaster General unless otherwise ordered.
All such lines to be kept open for the
transmission for daily publication of
messages are to be forwarded in the order of
their receipt. Congress shall at all times have
power to determine the rate to be charged, and
establish such regulations that it shall judge
necessary Before extending any such line
within the jurisdiction of the United States
written acceptance of the foregoing terms shall
be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State
The second section declares that subject to the
terms of such grants as have heretofore been
made by Congress- the consent of Congress is
hereby given to the laying and maintaining of
magnetic wires or cables between the United
States and foreign countries, subject, however
to any and all rights of property and State ju-
risdiction, and provided that privileges confer
red by this act should not be enjoyed by any
person or company where the line terminates
in any foreign country which does not confer
similar privileges upon companies incOrporat-
ed by the authority of the United States or of
any State of the Union.
Mr. Sumner said that since the bill had been
reported in February last, cable had been
landed on our shores from France, and this
rendered modification of the bill necessary
He proposed as an amendment to make the
language of the bill applicable not only to the
future but to existing cables.
Mr.. Thurman suggested that q legal question
had been preached as to the right of State to
permit the landing of cable without the per-
mission of the general government. He there
fore moved to refer the bill to the Judiciary
Committee.
The debate continued until the expiration of
the morning hour,
The morning hour being expired the Senate
took up the bill to perfect the reconstruction of
Georgia.
Mr.. Salisbury delivered an argument in il
Illustration of the Inconsistency of Congression-
al legislation relative to the unreconstructed
States, which he claimed was prompted from
partizan motives and was flagrantly violation
of the constitution.
The following additional bills were introduce
ed during the morning hour:
Mr.. Ramsay introduced bill to abolish
frapking privileges and to provide postage
stamps and stamped envelopes for the PAYMENT
of postage on official public correspondence and
other public matter Referred to the Commit
tee on Post Offices.
Mr.. Harlan introduced a bill to provide for
the settlement and payment of the expenses in
CURED by the territorial authorities of Montana
in the suppression of Indian hostilities during
the year 1S67.-Referred to the Committee on
Territories. -.-
Mr.. Wilson introduced a bill to provide for
the reduction of the officers of the army. Re- |
ferred to the Committee on Military Affairs. |
1t authorizes the Secretary of War to honora-
bly, discharge any infantry officers who may |
apply, provided the number left in the service |
shall not be reduced below the requirements of |
the twenty-five reg ments authorized by law |
The officers thus disc larged on their own APP |
plication shall receive from one to two years |
extra pay and allowance, according to their |
terms of service. If the reduction to the re- |
quirements of the twenty-five regiments is not |
thus effected, the Secretary of War is author |
lied to effect it by mastering out the super |
numerary officers under the above terms; CIV |
ing two years extra pay to officers who have |
years pay for service from five to ten years, |
and one years pay TO all others.
At haf-past 2 clock the Senate proceeded |
to the consideration of the executive business; |
when the doors were closed for twenty five |
minutes.
Upon the expiration of the executive session |
the consideration of the Georgia bill was re- |
sumed. A long debate followed, which was |
very broad ia its scope, and in which Messrs. |
Stockton, Ferry, Conklin, Edmunds, Morton.
Sherman and Thurman took part
Mr.. Williams submitted an amendment, sub |
stantially similar to Mr.. Morton's, which that |
Senator accepted as modification of his own
as follows: ''That the Legislature shall ratify |
the fifteenth amendment proposed to the con- |
stitution Of the United States before the Sena-
tors and Representatives from Georgia are ad- |
mitted to seats in Congress-
The amendment was debated at length, the |
main point being that by requiring the adop-
ton of the 10Th amendment as condition pre-
cedent at this time, Congress might incur the
danger of debating and compelling the adop-
ton of terms by State which being in duress
at the time could not afterwards be bound by
its action; that thereby said action might be
proved invalid and the adoption of the consti-
tutional amendment depending for its ratifca-
ton upon such action rendered nugatory.
The Senate then took recess till half past
O'Clock.
EVENING SESSION.
The consideration of the Georgia bill was re-
sumed and after long debate, Mr.. Williams
amendment was agreed to by a vote OILS to Is.
The question then resumed on the latter por
ton of the amendment submitted by Mr. Nor
ton, providing for the inficting of penalties
upon all persons rendered ineligible to hold Of
flee, except those whose disabilities have been
removed by Congress, who shall attempt to eX
ercise any office created by the constitution and
laws of Georgia. The amendment is also re-
Prospective, applying to all persons who may
have been already elected to Office. Mr.. Thur
man objected to the amendment because of its
unlimited character. Mr.. Morton then with
drew the amendment with the intention of
incorporating it in the form of a bill.
Mr.. Casserly moved to amend the I'd section
SO as to make distinction in the administra-
ton of the oath therein provided, favorable to
those who had given involuntary aid to the re-
bellion, in contradistinction with its voluntary
supporters The amendment was agreed to;
Yeas %; nays o.
Mr. Carpenter moved to adjourn to Monday
but was induced to withdraw it.
Several additional amendments by Mr. Cas-
serly were disagreed to.
The bill was then reported from the commit
tee of the whole. The amendments were
agreed to in body except Ole introduced by
MI. Casserly.
Mr. Howard by way of compromise, moved
an amendment by which all persons who aided
the rebellion would be excluded from seat in
the Legislature of Georgia, except such as
were forced into the rebel service in conse-
quence of direct physical force. This was Of
tered to take the place of the amendment of
Mr.. Casserly The amendment of Mr.. How
ard was agreed to by rising vote, 40 in the af-
firmative.
The bill was then read the second and third
time and passed finally; yeas 40, nays 9; strict
party vote, except Fowler, who voted nay.
The title of the bill was amended, making it
ga bill to promote" instead of to perfect the
reconstruction of the State of Georgia.
On motion as Mr.. Wilson the Senate at 80
minutes past A. M. adjourned till Monday.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
RESISTANCE TO THE REVENUE LAWS-MUR-
DEROUs ASSAULT ON GOVERNMENT OFF,
GER.