The Portland daily press., 1870-01-14
XLIst OONGRESS---second Session.
SENATE.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13.-Mr. Ramsey, from
the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads,
reported with amendments joint resolution
decaratory and amendatory of the act of
July q, 1868, to provide for an American line
of steamships between New York and Europe
The bill provides for weekly or semi-weekly
trips between New York and Bremen and
Liverpool, as the interests of the country may
desire; the government to pay 100000 inter-
est on the bonds of the company, which shall
be in full payment for the mail service; the
steamers to be constructed within eighteen
months of the date of the contract.
Mr.. Kellogg of Connecticut introduced bill
granting lands to aid in constructing railroad
from the Texas line to the Mississippi river,
near Vicksburg; also granting the right of way
and public land to aid in the construction of a
railroad and telegraph line from Marshall, Tex
as, to San Diego, California. Both were re-
ferred.
Mr.. Pratt addressed the Senate in support of
the bill giving State courts concurrent juris-
diction with the United States courts in mari
time cases or torts on navigable rivers above
the ebb and flow of the tides.
The consideration of the Virginia bill was
then resumed. The amendment OF Mr.. Wilson
having been withdrawn, the Senate voted on
the amendment offered by Mr.. Drake, which
was rejected; yeas II, nays 49,
Mr.. Edmurds renewed his amendment pro-
viding that before the measure goes into effect
each member and officer of the Legislature
shall subscribe to an oath as follows: do
solemnly swear that / have never taken an
oath as member of Congress, an officer of the
United States or member of any State Legis-
lature, or as an executive or judicial officer of
any State to support the Constitution of the
U United States, and afterwards engaged in in
surrection or rebellion against the safne;" or
that each person shall take an oath that the
disabilities imposed upon him by the fourteenth
amendment have been removed by an act of
Congress, &c.
After debate an animated personal colloquy
took place between Messrs. Trumbull and Sum-
ner. The former called attention to the pres
enee near Mr.. Sumner of an outsider, advising
and influencing his action.
Mr.: Sumner said it was c. B. Porter, mem.
Der elect from Richmond, who represented the
loyal men of Virginia
MIR. Trumbull asked who made MIR. Sumner
an lnfalllble judge of loyalty; and he then read
tne proceedings OF court martial which found
MI. Porter guilty of seditious language, drum
K Ml &c He further commented upon
MT. summers attack on Gov. Walker and
showed that he had the privilege of the floor
while Porter had not
Personalities were INDUCED in and consider.
able bitterness OF feeling was manifested on
both sides. The colloauy was concluded Mr.
Sumner, when Mr. Yates took the floor and
spoke at length upon the general subject of re.
construction.
At o'clock the Senate went into executive
session.
HOUSE.
A resolution was adopted that the Territori
all Committee enquire into the expediency O.
establishing territorial government over Civ
ilized Indians in the Indian Territory.
Mr.. Willard of Vt, offered resolutions de-
claring that a rigid economy in public expen
ditures is demanded by the people who are
taxed to supply the money required by the
government; and that the lowest possible rate
of taxation consistent with the maintenance O.
the public credit, etc. should not be lost sigh
of in any action Congress may he called on tc
make.
Mr.. Morrill, of Me-, by unanimous consent
introduced bill making unlawful the giving
of presents or the soliciting of contributions fol
| such a purpose from subordinates to any supe
ror officer or employees; and the receiving o
| such presents in violation of this bill to bt
| punished by summary dismissal and inelegi
| bility to any official position Tor three years.
The bill was amended by striking out the
| ineligibiity provision and passed without di
| vision.
Mr.. Starkweather of Conn, presented pc
tition of ship owners, ship builders and shiI
| joiners on the Mystic river, Conn, for re
moval of taxation and from shipping and ship
| building interests.
Mr.. Mungen of Ohio, rose to a personal ex
! PLANTATION as to a statement of the Washington
| correspondence in the New York Tribune o
| December 18th, in reference to his Reputation
| speech in the House prior to the recess. HI
denied the statement, denouncing the whole