The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-02-19
XL&h OONGRESS---Third Session.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 18-Mr. Thayer intro
dueed bill amendatory of the prescription
and homestead laws. Referred to the Com
mittee on Public Lands.
Mr.. Anthony, from the Committee on Print
ing, reported resolution TO print tne meHo
rial of Duff Green relative to natonal nnanceS,
which was adopted. The vote was immeolate-
>ly reconsidered, and, a1ter oepaee, VIC matter
Mr. Grimes. from the Committee on Naval
Affairs. reported bill to compenate the off.
GERS and crew of the Kearsarge for the cap
tnre and destruction of the Alabsma
Mr.. Trumbull, from the Committee on Ju-
dietary, reported with amendments. the House
bill providing for an election in Virginia.
Mr. Trumbull reported adversely on the fol-
lowing:-Mr. Hendersons bill to establish q
Department. of Home Affairs: Mr.. Robinson's
joint resolution proposing by Constitutional
amendment to establish an electoral college
tribunal, and Mr.. Sawyer's joint resolution ex-
tending the time for the recovery of captured
and abandoned property in the Court OF Claims,
Mr. Grimes, from the Committee ON Naval
Affairs, reported favorably, with verbal amend
ments, the House bin relating to the captures
made by Admiral Farragut's fleet IN the Mis-
sissippi river in May, 1862. 1t declares that
the vessels which participated i'd the opening
of the river and the capture OF New Orleans
shall be now entitled to the benefit OF the prize
law, in the same manner as they would have
been had the eastern District Court of Louis
lana been then open and the captures made by
tie said vessels been libeled therein; and any
United States Court having admiralty juris-
diction may now take cognizance of all cases
arising out of said captures. The shares in
such captures which may be awarded to the
officers and men entitled to the prize are to be
paid out OF the treasury of the United States.
Mr. Morgan, from the Committee on Com
merce. reported favorably on the House bill to
establish the collection district of Aroostook,
Me.
On motion of Mr.. Morton the Senate took
up the resolution to authorize the payment of
the Senators from the reconstructed States
from the commencement of the 10th Congress.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont, moved to amend SO
as to pay them only from the beginning of the
second session of the 40th Congress.
The matter was briefly discussed and then,
ON motion of Mr.. Morrill,, of Maine, it was
postponed and the Indian appropriation bill
taken up.
The Committee on Appropriations reported
and explained the various amendments recon-
mended by them, which were generally agreed
to, and the consideration of them occupied the
time until IL O'Clock, when, on motion of
Mr.. Sumner, the Senate went into executive
session and soon afterwards took recess.
EVENING SESSION.
The President presented the credentials of
Allen G. Thurman, Senator elect from Ohio.
The Senate then proceeded to the considera-
ton of the business from the Committee on
Post Offices
The bill to regulate the Thanking privilege
was reported by the chairman of the com nit /
tee with two amendments, but, after discus
sion, it was passed exactly as it came from the
House.
Mr.. Ramsey then reported bill abolishing
the privilege after the LIST of July, 1869.
MI. Conkilng moved as an amendment bill
repeating all acts and parts of acts confirming
the ranking privilege upon members OF the
Senate and House of Representatives. Adopt
ed. The bill was then rejected-yeas 16, NAYS
~. Messrs Grimes, Hendricks and Patterson
OF New Hampshire, who would have voted in
the affirmative, paired off with Messrs. Came
ron, Sprague and Patterson of Tennessee. who
would have voted in the negative. Adjourned |
HOUSE.
The Senate bill for term of the District
and Circuit Courts of the United States to be
held in Vermont was passed
Mr.. Shellabarger, from the Committee on
Elections, made report in the case of Thomas
Hamilton, claiming seat as Representative
from Tennessee, with a resolution that he is
not entitled to it. Mr.. Heaton presented a mi |
norito report. Ordered to be printed.
The bank bill then came up as the next bust
ness IN order, snd motion to lay the bill on
Mr.. Pomeroy then moved that the bill be re-
committed to the Committee on Banking and |
Currency, with instructions to report back |
forthwith the first, second and third sections,
and moved the previous question. Rejected
30 to rs.
Mr.. Poland gave notice that if the amend.
ments were voted down he would move an
amendment providing for free banking sys-
tenn.
Mr.. Randall gave notice that he would offer
as an amendment the Senate bill as amended
by the Committee on Banking and Currency.
The question was then taken on Mr.. Co
burns amendment. Agreed to-97 to 76 The
question then required on Mr.. Pomeroy's mo-
ton as amended, to recommit the bill to the
Committee on Banking and Currency with in
three sections of the bill, and Mr. Coburns
amendment to report the fourth section, and it
was agreed to.
Mr.. Pomeroy therefore reported back the
bill according to instructions from the House.
The previous question was seconded and the
maln question ordered on its adoption as a
substitute for the Senate bill. The substitute
was adopted-yeas go. nays 76.
The bill as amended then passed-yeas 106,
nays ~.
called up the New Mexico contested election
case. and was addressing the House in advoca-
cy of the report of the committee, when at
IL o'clock, the House took recess.
EVENING SESSION.
In committee of the whole, Mr.. Ferry in the |
chair, the consideration of the army appropri-
alton bill was resumed.
L.
had been told to-day by the Secretary Of
War and by the General of the Army that
they had not any more troops than they need
ed for actual necessities Of the service, and
that Gen. Grant don't recommend any reduc-
ton except by absorption.
Mr.. Dodge offered the following substitute
for the amendment reported the Military Com
mittee THAT after March, 4, 1869, the Presi-
dent of the United States is authorized to
make the following reduction and consolida-
ton of the army as the benefits of the service
may required:-The consolidation of the regi-
ments of infantry to thirty; the consolidation.
of the artillery corps and ordnance depart
ments; the consolidation of the quartermas-
ter's, subsistence and pay departments; and
such reduction in the other departments as the
reducep strength of the army require. No ap-
pointments shall be made in any grade until
the number of surplus officers in that grade is
reduced to the number of officers required by
the consolidation and reduction herein au-
thorized. Agreed to-75 to 40.
After discussion, che amendment offered by
Mr.. Butler was agreed to-57 to 56-and added
to the substitute offered by Mr.. Dodge.
Without taking vote on the amendment
the House adjourned