The Portland daily press., 1870-03-24

was followed on the same side by Messrs
Howe, Sc tit, Cragin and Corbatt
Mr.. Davis announced himself as utterly OPP.
posed to the admission of Ames on every legal
and political ground, and at the conclusion OF
his speech the Senate adj0ured.
HOUSE.
Several bills vera introduced. The bill for
the removal of the Brooklyn navy yard was re-
ported. Ordered to be printed and recommlt-
ted.
A resolution was adopted that the Com nit
tee on Rules consider the expediency OF adopt
ing rule that the previous question snail hoS
be seconded until bills and sresoiutiohs snail
have been considered two hours.
A resolution was adopted calling on the Sec
retarv of fine Treasury for detailed statement
of the expenditure of the 100000 appropriate
ed in 1862 for the colonization OF freedmen.
Mr. Dawes of Massachusetts, presented a
netition of citizens of Massachusetts, for free
lead.
The Sutro Tunnel bill was taken up, debat-
ed and finally tabled.
The diplomatic and consular appropriation
bill was reported from the Committee on APP
priations and made the special order for Tues
day next. 1t appropriates $8S3.047 against
81, 110,734 in a similar bill Inst year.
A message from the President on the sub
ject OF American commerce was presented and
read. The President declares it to be the ma
tional humiliation of this country to be COM
PEELED to pay from 800, 000,0 900 to 100000 900 a
year ocean freights, which should be shared by
American citizens, with the people OF other
nations. He favors direct money subsidy as
less liable to abuse than indirect aid, and rec.
commended the passage of the two bills report
ed from the special committee. .
Mr.. Brooks of New York, remarked that
the removal OF duty on iron would do more
than a subsidy to revive American commerce,
and the message was then withdrawn.
The House then resumed its regular bust
ness, the bill for the abolition Of polygamy.
Mr.. Hooper, the Delegate from Utah, con-
tlnued his arguments in defence of the Nor
mon community and religious belief, and
claimed that polygamy was taught by the
greatest Of all law givers, while monogamy
originated among the pagan Greeks and Ro-
mans.
Mr.. Axtell, of California, said he did not
agree with any of the arguments to establish
the Christian right of polygamy. He hoped
that no gentleman was so tender footed as to
oe deferred from voting against the bill from
the fear that his constituents might consider
him an impure man, but he objec ted to the
bill as unnecessarily harsh and equivalent to
declaration of war.
Mr.. Schenck, of Ohio, repeated the sub
stance of his objections yesterday to the bill as
being too minute in details and sweeping in its
provisions, and moved its recommittdl, which
was refused-75 to SO.
Mr.. Cullom, OF Illinois, chairman of Com
mittee on Territories, said he was willing to
nave IcdsOuduic ducuumcutS OucTcu, duu uC
himself intended to move to strike out the 18th
section, which makes it lawful for vile to be
a competent witness against her husband, and
to amend the 18th section, which makes proof
of cohabitaton sufficient to sustain the prose-
cution.
An amendment extending to all the States
and territories the provisions of the act relat-
rrg TO bgamy, polygamy and concubinage was
r. je ;ted-43 to ia; and the following sections:
18th making it lawful for the wife of an ac-
.use person to be a competent witness against
him; 18th, providing that statute limitations
shall not bar prosecutions under this act; 30th,
authorizing the confscations of the property
of persons convicted under this act; 31st, pro-
vidng for the temporary relief of persons re-
duced to destitution by enforcement of the
law; and 32d, authorizing the President to
send troops into Utah and accept 40, 900 volun-
teers If necessary to enforce this act-were all
struck out. The bill then passed-94 to 80.
Mr.. Butler, of Massachusetts,, introduced a
bill authorizing the President to accept the
resignation of any Judge Of any United States
Court. Referred.
Mr.. Kerr, of Indiana, from the Committee
on Elections, made a minority report in one of
the Louisiana cases, with resolution that Mr..
Hunt, the contestant, was entitled to seat
instead of Mr.. Sheldon. the sitting smemher.
. A reccss was then taken.
EVENING SESSION.
The Committee of the Whole on the tariff
bill was addressed for two hours by Mr.. HOl-
man in favor of free trade, and after further
debate. the House adjourned