The Portland daily press., 1869-03-06
XLIst CONGRESS First Session.


WARRINGTON, March 5.-Mr. Brownlow was
sworn in. He was very feeble.
A committee was appointed to notify the
House and President that they were ready for
business.
The Senate committees of the new Congress
not being yet appointed, the following bills
were laid on the table:
By Mr.. Wilson, for the more equal distribu-
tion of the national banking capitalize same
bill he introduced last session.
Also, the bill to establish Hne of steamships
between the United States and Europe.
By Mr.. Thayer, to repeal the tenure-of-o Office
act, and he gave notice that he would call it up
tomorrow.
By Mr.. Edmunds, to repeal the act regulat-
ing the tenure of certain civil offices, and for
other purposes.
Mr.. Williams introduced q substitute for the
bill introduced by Mr.. Thayer, suspending the
operations of the tenure-of-oface act until the
4th of March, 1873.
Mr.. Conkling introduced bill to authorize
the Newfoundland B. London Telegraph Com
pany to land its submarine cable upon the
shores Of the United States.
Also, a bill to provide for line of United
States mail steamships between New York and
Europe.
Mr.. Grimes offered resolution of INQUIRY
relative to contracts between the Navy De-
partment and Norman Wizard.
Mr.. Drake offered an amendment to the SEN
ate rules providing that Indian treaties hererf
ter be considered in open session.
MI. Howard introduced bill to establish an
ordnance commission and consolidate the ord
nance and artillery bureaus.
Mr.. Harlan introduced Joint resolution
providing for the appointment of joint COIN
mittee OF three Senators and five Representa-
tives to consider all propositions relating to
Indian tribes.
Mr.. Sawyer introduced bill authorizing the
payment for certain services rendered the Uni
ted States in the insurrectionary States.
Mr.. Spencer introduced bill to encourage
the production of cotton in the United States.
Mr.. Sumner offered joint resolution grant
ing pension to Mrs, Lincoln, and asking its
immediate consideration, bat Mr. Edmuuds
objected
Mr.. Sumner introduced bill to enforce the
several provisions of the Constitution abolish
ing slavery and by securing the elective fran
chise to all citizens without regard to race or
color.
The Senate took recess.
At 1 45 the session was resumed.
Mr.. Grimes reported that the committee to
wait upon the President had performed their
duty, and the President would Immediately
communicate with the Senate.
Gen. Rawlings, of Gen. Grants staff then
stepped forward and said he was directed by
the President to present to the Senate two
Major Leet also presented another message.
Mr.. Edmunds at once moved an executive
session.
The motion was agreed to, and slowly the
crowd left the galleries.
At 230 the doors were re-opened and the
Senate Immediately adjourned.
HOUSE.
A committee was appointed to notify the
Senate that the House was organized and
ready for business
Messrs. Van Horn and Dyer of Missouri and
Hamblet0n OF Maryland were sworn in.
The papers of Leonard Myers. Contrasting
the seat of Mr.. Moffit were received.
Mr.. Schenck offered a resolution referring
the credentials of persons claiming seats as
Representatives from Louisiana to the Com
mittee on Elections, when appointed.
After tedious discussion the resolution was
adopted.
Messrs. Schenck, Dawes and Kerr were ap-
pointed to notify the President that the House
was ready for business.
Messrs. Winchester and Rice of KENTUCKY
were sworn in.
At o'clock, the proceedings of the House
were interrupted by the news of the appoint
ment OF tne Cabinet, which was read from the
Considerable discussion ensued over propo-
sitions relatlve to the member from the 2st
district OF Ponnsylvania terminating in the
reference OF the whole subject to the Commit
tee on Elections,
Inc time for taking the testimony in the
contested election case of Taylor AGAINST Read
ing IRON the 9th District of sPennsuIva nc nos
extended sixty DAYS ""'
MI. ocnencE, from the Joint committee tn
wait on tne PRESIDENT, reported thew had per-
formed that duty and the President in nSormad ps
the committee that about two hours prsyions.
Iy, anticipating the Senate to be in session be
had sent some nominations nina to that body but
Mr.. Fansworth moved that Massrs ru;e.
Teft, Edwards, Cove, Prime and Yonn1 ~,
sworn in as Representatives from Georgia The
9Th district being vacant.
From the statement made in support of the
motion, it appeared these persons were elected
at the same time for both the last Congress
and the present one
After much debate the resolution was modi-