The Portland daily press., 1869-02-06
XLth OONGREss---Third Session
SENATE.

were presented, praying for amendment to the
Constltuuon recognizing the supremacy of Al
Mr.. Stewart offered an order that the Senate
mold evening sessions, beginning at o'clock
each evening, for consideration Of the consti-
tutIonal amendment until it shall be disposed
of. Carried.
On motion of Mr.. Trumbull the Senate then
took up and passed the bill to give effect to
tries,
On motion of Mr. Morton the resolution to
authorize the payment of Senators from the
reconstructed States from the beginning of the
next session of Congress, was taken up. Mr..
morton made brief argument in favor of the
resolution, and cited several precedents in the
action of both Houses of Congress, which he
claimed authorized the proposed payment.
Mr.. Trumbull opposed
The morning hour expired, which brought
up the unfinished business, the constitutional
amendment The amendment of section yes
ferday by Mr.. Williams was read and he ad-
dressed the Senate in advocacy of it.
Mr. Sumner then addressed the Senate at
great length.
EVENING SESSION.
No quorum was present till $40, when Mr..
VickeFs continued his speech
Mr.: Wiley poke in favor of the constitu-
tlonal amendment.
Mr.. Buckalew briefly advocated his own
amendment. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Boutwell, from the Judiciary Commit
tee, reported a bill for the relief of Admiral
Farragut and officers and men OF his feet,
that passed Forts Phillip and jackson under
fire.
Mr.. Cragiu presented petition of over four
hundred citizens of New Hampshire for woman
suffrage
Mr.. Butler Of Mass, offered resolution di-
rectlpg the Secretary Of the Treasury TO fur
nish information as to the state of American
fisheries on the coast Of the British North
American Provinces, the license and tonnage
duties levi d, and the state of the trade between
the Provinces and the United States. Adop-
ted.
number of private bills we're reported and
passed.
Mr.. Brooks presented, as a question of privi-
Iege, resolution for the discharge of Florence
Scanned, the recusant witness brought from
New York, from custody of the Sergeant at
Arms without costs
Mr. Brooks resolution was. after considera-
BILE discussion. laid on the table.
Mr.. Baldwin, from the Committee on Dis
trict OF Columbia, reported back the Senate
bill transferring the duties of the Trustees of
colored schools of Washington and George
town, which was passed.
Mr.. Wilson of Ohio, offered a resolution in
instructing the Post Office Committee to in
quire into the expedency Of amending the
Postal laws so as to require all mail matter to
be paid I'D advance except that now entitled by
law to go free. Adopted.
Mr.. Lawrence OF Ohio. introduced a Joint
resolution proposing amendments to the Con-
stitution. Referred to the Judiciary Commit
tee.
The House then went into Committee of the
Whole on the Army Appropriation bill and
Mr.. Hooper made a speech on the finances.
Mr. Blaine Of Me. explained the army appro-
pTlation BILL and expressed himself in favor OF
reduction of the army 80 SO regiments.
Ma. Garfield remarked to the House that the
Committee on Military Affairs had at the last
session reported a bill yell prepared and well
considered for reduction of the army, but rs
1t did not meet the views of members Of tht
House it had been overloaded with amend
ments, and thus killed.
Mr.. Lawrence of Ohio, asked his colleague
whether 1t was not expedient to consolidate tho
army into thirty-nine or less regiments, and
reduce the officers to the number required fof
that number of regiments.
Mr.. Garfield replied that several of the Tegi.
ments, and especially the Iniaatry, could b(
consolidated. He could not say exactly wha
number OF them could.
MT. Pile spoke in favor of a reduction of thu
army, and thought if time was given to elab
crate bill covering the whole subject, tha
the expenses Of the army might be reduced
from $18,000,000 TO $12,000,000.
Mr.. Logan said if the Committee on Military
Affairs proposed to offer the same bill as las
year, ne would say as he did then, that it wal
humbug
Mr.. Window expressed surprise that the cen
teman OF the Committee on Military Affair
had not bad time to attend to this matter, ,whel
lie had such ample time to attend to the busi
ness of the Committee on Indian Affairs. Hi
(Windom) was in favor of a reduction of tn
army.
Mr.. Farnsworth asked unanimous consen
that the Chairman OF the Committee, on Mill
iary Affairs might move his amendment Il
TINS blll, and that it be printed. Unanimous
consent was given
Ihe House soon after took recess until tbt
evening session, to be for general debate only.
EVENING SESSION.
Mr.. Julian argued that the true policy of fh,
Government was that of mastery Inactivity
and favored adjustment OF the land snecula.
tors reform Of the Indian treaty system, and
reconstruction of legislation respecting th,
mineral lands, so as to develop the nationa
wealth.
Mr. Broomall argued that in the absence @
all other disturbing causes, the retiring Of on
hundred and eighty millions Of notes wouli
bring return to specie payments. He oppos
ed liking day for resumption and supporte
the bill presented by himself for exchange {
gold for notes at existing market rates ihroug
period of years.
Mr. Pruyn also spoke on the finance and MI
Mullens on political philosophy and consttu
tional law. Adjourned.