The Portland daily press., 1869-02-16
XLth CONGRESS- Third Session,

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-Mr. Edmunds, from
the Judiciary Committee, reported bill to
provide for an additional term of the o. s.
Circuit Court, at Burlington, VT, which on
his motion was passed.
On motion of Mr.. Sawyer, the Senate took
up the bill to authorize the payment of officers
appointed in the Southern States by the Sec
retary OF the Treasury, and who would not
take the test oath. Mr.. SAWYER advocated the
bill.
Mr.. Conness and others opposed the bill,
which, after considerable debate, was post
poned, and the Senate took up the Indian ap-
preparation bill, which was read.
The numerous amendments reported by the
committee were agreed to, and also an amend
ment offered by Mr.. Ramsey extending the
appropriation for the Indian war of 1862 in
Minnesota to expenditures for the same pur-
pose in 1863.
Mr.. Harlan said the committee had other
amendments before them, which they were not
yet ready to report, and on his motion the bill
was laid over till tomorrow.
Several private bills were taken up and
passed.
Mr.. Morton, from the joint select committee,
repor ed the tulfllment of their mission TO no.
tify the President and Vice President elect of
their election, and submitted the following
written reply from Gen. Grant,
Gentlemen PLEASE notify the two houses of
Congress OF my acceptance of the important
trust you have notified me of-my election as
President of the United. States-and say to
5 those who elected me shall have no cause to re-
grer their action.
Also, the following from Mr.. Colfax:
Gentlemen = Please convey to the two
houses OF Congress my acceptance of the Of
foe to which l have been elected by the peo-
pie of the United States and assure them that
shall eDdeavor to prove worthy of this mark
OF confidence by fidelity to principle and duty.
Mr. Drake, from the committee OF confer
ence, made report upon the bill to amend
Certain in raj ati0 IN fho vuhi oh
laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
At A o'clock the Senate took recess.
EVENING SESSION.
A bill to repeal the usury laws of the Dis.
trict of Columbia, placing the legal rate of in
terest at per cent, but allowing written con-
tracts to be made tor higher rates. was dis
cussed and laid over.
A message was received from the House
asking for committee OF conference on the
Constitutional amendment, but Mr.. Harlan
objected to the District of Columbia business
being interrupted, and it was postponed till
tomorrow.
The bill to regulate judicial proceedings, and
the bill concerning divorces in the District of
Columbia were passed. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
The following bills and Joint resolutions
WIRE introduced: By Mr.. Lawrence of Ohio
Greeting tnat the women employed in the sew
eral xecutive departments of the government
snail receive the same compensation as men
when they perform the same or equivalent
services; by Mr.. Cromwell of Illinois, propos-
ing an amendment to the Constitution con-
corning the electoral votes for President and
Vice Presidents by Mr.. Miller, proposing an
amendment TO the Constitution against grant,
ing subsidies to railroad and other corpora
lions, so long as the national debt exceeds five
hundred millions; by Mr.. Calls granting a
loan OF FIVE million dollars to the New Orleans
and Selma Railroad Company and Immigra-
lion Association; by Mr.. Hubbard of West
Virginia, bill supplementary to the national
banking act.
by Mr.. Julian to prevent the further sale of
public lands, except as provided in preemp-
ton and homestead laws, came up, the ques-
ton being on seconding the previous question.
then, on motion of Mr.. Hopkins the joint res
olution was referred to the Committee on Pub
lie LaDds-yeas 103, nays 70.
Mr. Hunter introduced Joint resolution
giving the consent of Congress to the North
ern Pacific Railroad Company to issue its
bonds and to secure the same by mortgage on
its railroad and telegraph line, for the purpose
of raising funds with which to construct the
line between Lake Superior and Puget Sound,
and also on its branch to point about or near
Portland, Oregon, the term Puget Sound to
apply to all the water connected with the
Straits of San Juan de Fuca, within the terri
tory of the United States. The House second
ca the previous question, and under its opera
and passed, the call for the yeas and NAYS be-
ing refused.
Mr.. Banks moved to suspend the rules so as
to set apart next Friday evening for debate on
the proposed acquisition of st. Domingo. Re-
jected.
Mr. Spaulding moved to suspend the rules
80 as to set apart all evening sessions after to-
morrow Tor business from the Committee on
Appropriations. Agreed to.
Mr.. Brooks, as a question of privilege, moved
the discharge of Florence Scannell, recus-
SAINT witness, without payment of costs. Ia
bled
Mr.. Boutwell, moved to suspend the rules SO
as take from the Speakers table the Senate
amendments TO the pint resolution proposing
an amendment TO the Constitution. The rules
were suspended and the Senate amendments
taIen from the table.
Mr. Boutwell, moved that the House nom
enoe.
Mr. Bingham moved to concur.
Alter some discussion the latter motion was
re1ected-37 to 1872 -and the amendments were
euen non-concurred in and committee of
SON, Of Iow ordered consisting of Messrs. Will
rme speaker having left the chair and Mr..
a"Ss 1aavlpg taken it as Speaker pr. tenn,
Iepol'su On penaif of the committee appoint-
and Vice President elect thet +%a oorosn;t.aS
had discharged that duty and had roco;vad ~
following responses: ~ 'N'
See Senate report.l
The report was ordered to be entered on the
journal. 0-- 'AS
Mr. Paine, from the Reconstruction Comm;,.
tee, reported a bill for the relief Of a large
number of persons from legal and political dis.
abilities.
Mr.. Butler of Massachusetts moved to strike
out the name of John W. Wright of Rich
Mr.. Mckee moved to strike out the names 0