The Portland daily press., 1870-01-18
XLIst OONGRESS---Second Session.
SENATE.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.-Numerous petitions
were presented and referred for the abolish
ment of the ranking privilege.
Mr.. ConkliDg offered resolution, which was
agreed to, directing the committee on foreign
affairs to inquire whether Henry Mohler,
citizen of Prussia, has any claims against the
proprietors or managers of the French cable,
ed by the Congress of the United States. He
explained that his object was to secure the in
PRODUCTION of a memorial from the person re-
ferred to, which being from the subject of for
eign government would not under the usage of
the Senate be read without special provision
for its reception.
Mr.. Wilson called up the bill prohibiting re-
tired officers being assigned to duty, which
would entitle them to full pay for their servi-
ces. The bill was passed by the House last
session, and provided that retired officers
should not be assigned to duty in time of war;
which did not now exist. The bill was passed.
Mr.. Sumner, from the Committee on For
eign relations, reported substitute for the bill
relating to Geographic communication between
the United States and foreign countries.
Mr.. Sumner, from the Committee on Foreign
Relations reported without amendment the
bill providing for the adjustment and satisfac-
ton of the claims of American citizens for
spoations committed by the French prior to
July 31st, 1901. The claims are to be adjusted
by three commissioners appointed by the Pres
ijent and confirmed by the Senate, and are to
be paid to an amount not exceeding $5,000000
by the United States.
Mr. Howard, from the Committee on Terri
tories reported withour amendment a bill for
regulating descents in the Territory of Utah.
Upon the expiration of the morning hour
the Virginia bill came up in order. Mr. Nor
ton said he felt constrained to vote for the ad-
mission of Virginia for two reasons; First, be-
cause she has complied with the conditions
prescribed and therefore we are in honor bound
to admit her; and in the next place because he
wanted to secure her vote for the 18th amend
ment, which he deemed indispensable for the
safety of the whole system of reconstruction
but he should vote with great apprehension OF
what should be the result of her admission at
this time.
Mr.. Stewart moved to postpone the Senate
bill and take up the House bill, but debate
arising, MIR. Trumbull moved by the Senate
| bill upon the table.
The chair sustained the point of order that
| the latter motion could not take precedence oil
the former.
Mr.. Stewart finally withdrew his motion and
| then moved to lay the Senate bill on the table.
Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont said that the mo-
| ton opened up the whole question at ISSUE
| He desired to known upon what inducement
| the Republican party proposed by adopting the
| House bill to commit suicide.
The Senate then voted on the motion of Mr.
Stewart to lay the Senate bill on the table
which was agreed to.-Yeas %, nays %.
Yeas-Abbott, Bayard, Carpenter, Casserdy
| Cole, Conkling, Corbett, Davis, Ferry, Fowler
Hamlin. McCreery, Morton, Nye, Patterson
| Salisbury, Scott, Stewart Stockton, Upton
Trumbull, Vickers, Warner, Wiley and Will
| ia ms-25
Nays-Anthony, Foreman, Buckingham
| Cameron, Drake. Edmunds, Fenton, Harris
| Howard, Howe, Mcdonald, Morrill, of Maine
Morrill, of VT, Morton, Pomeroy, Ramsey
| Rice, Robertson, Schurz Spencer, Sumner
| Thayer and Wilson-23
| Mr.. Pratt pared off with Mr.. Thurman, who
| was absent on account of sickness.
| On motion of Mr.. Stewart the House bill wa
| taken up and read second time.
Mr.. Edmunds submitted the amendment
which had been incorporated in the Senate
| recurring the imposition of an oath in the cas-
| of each member of the Legislature aud State
officer, and that said persons are not ineligibl
| to hold office under the fourteenth amendment
Mr.. Ferry said he was opposed to the amend
ment for this reason.
| Mr.. Stewart considered the amendment su
perfuous, as the Judiciary Committee wer
| considering bill for the enforcement OF thu
14th amendment as soon as it was ratified:
Mr. Edmunds thought that men who's.
hands had already been laid upon the constr
tuition should be compelled to swear that the
! were not traitors to it.