The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-12-15
n II w S
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE
PORTLAND DAILY PRESS.
XLIst O0NG2ESS---Second Session.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec 14.-Mr Trumbull offer
ed a resolution. which was agreed to, instruct
ing the Committee on Public Lands TO inquire
whether the land offices in States where there
are no public lands for sale may not be dis
pensed with, to the benefit of public service.
Mr.. Drake introduced joint resolution ex-
tending for tw years the time for the compile
ton of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad. Re-
ferred to the Pacific Railroad Committee.
Mr. Cole introduced bill to increase the
mail steamship service between the United
States and China and Japan. Referred to the
Post Office Committee.
Also bill to fix the western terminus of the
Pacific railroad Referred. 1t permits the
Western Pacific Railroad Company to occupy
for depot purposes so much of Serbia Buena
Island, in the harbor of San Francisco, az may
be designated by the Secretary of War.
A resolution was agreed to instTucting the
Committee on Finance to inquire and report
whether it be not advisable to reduce the pen
altes mentioned in the internal revenue act OF
July 20, 1868.
Mr.. Cole submitted resolution instructing
the Finance Committee to inquire into the ex-
pediency of imposing tax of 81 gallon upon
all distilled spirits, and also into the expedien-
cy of collecting tax upon all distilled spirits
by taxing the capacity of stills. Laid on the
table.
Mr. Morrill, of Maine, announced the death
of Senator Fessenden and pronounced eulo-
gy upon him and offered the usual resolutions.
MIR. Sumner followed, saying there was but
one other member now in the Senate when
Mr.. Fessenden entered. The condition Of the
country at that time, with the exciting incl
dent ia the struggle for freedom, tested the
spirit and indomitable character of the new
conner almost Immediately, while the result
was such as to convince all present of the cour-
age and ability of one who soon ranked among
the foremost statesmen of the North. OF per-
feet integrity and austere in virtue, he was not
beset by those temptations which too often be-
set the annals of public life. His discharge OF
the immense trust repOsed in him during the
war as Secretary of the Treasury, and his ex-
traordinary powers in debate were eloquently
referred to.
Mr.. Sumner was followed by Messrs. Trum-
bull, Anthony, Williams, Morrill, of Vermont,
Patterson, Davis and Vickers.
Mr. Hamlin, in allusion to his early intima-
CIV with the deceased, said that he had been
student at law in the office of Mr.. Fessenden,
aud for a time practiced in the same court with
him afterwards. serving with him in the Leg
lsature Of Maine, and again for many years
WIZ MN in the National Senate. The purity
vi ma mT, Fessenden's lie challenged and COM
hin aud 'ee admiration of all those who knew
ni.n, ana furnished an example worthy of imi-
,,nny h;s ~ Iu onose who constituted the Senate
apo nn n's ~; entrance into it but sim
| Pennsylvania (Mr. CameronH 80, uo,,ains
Webster, Calhoun and Benton bod nassed
| away, and of their successors thnsa copr,ntorS
whose names stood among the hipbest om The
roll of Senatorial fame had slowlu Soi III .n
them, but among them were those wboSo oi ,''
would be remembered as long as repnbl; n'u n
| listed. To this list was to be added the name &c
| Mr.. Fessenden, and there it would remain a a.,
| one of our great American statesmen 90
| Resolutions of respect, proposed by Mr. Nor
| rilI, of Maine, were then adopted, when, on
motion of Senator Hamlin, at $40 P. NJ. the
| Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Several resolutions were offered.
By Mr.. Gentry, instructing the Committee
| of Ways and Means to enquire into the expedi-