The Portland daily press., 1870-12-06
NEW s
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE
PORTLAND DAILY PRESS.
XLIst CONGRESS---Thi.d Session.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-The Senate was called
to order at noon by the Vice President, in the
presence of a very large audience. Nearly all
the Senators were in their seats.
The usual committee was appointed to acl
with committee from the House to inform
the President of the readiness of the Senate tc
transact business.
After prayer by the chaplain, Mr.. Window
OF Minnesota was qualified and took bis seat
for the unexpired term of Senator Norton Of
that State, deceased.
Several bills and resolutions were introduced
and temporarily laid on the table, among
which were the following:
By Mr.. Edmunds Joint resolution of the
Vermont Legislature urging payment of the
balance of the war claims due that State from
the general government.
By Mr.. Kellogg, for the removal of political
disabilities.
By Messrs. Cole aud Casserly, for the imme-
diate repeal of all laws for the collection of the
income tax, or any tax that may mature after
the LIST of July next.
By Mr.. Sumner, for information concerning
the condition and financial management OF
colored schools iu Washington and George
town, ID. g., and as to the extent to which the
educational needs of the colored population
are provided for.
Mr.. Sumner introduced bill to terminate
,he fabrication of United States notes and frac-
tonal currency, to strengthen the reserves Of
national banks, and promote the return to
specie payment. The bill provides that the
fabrication of United States notes shall cease
Immediately after It's passage, and that the
government shall cease to pay out as a reissue
any fractional currency of denominations less
than twenty-five cents, after June Both, OR OF
so cents after December Both, 1871, at which
date all fractional currency in the treasury
shall be Cancelled and destroyed.
Section 8, provides that the Treasurer of the
United States shall retain the interest upon all
bonds held by him as security for the circula-
ton OF any bank, and issue therefor special
gold certificates of deposit in that interest
which may be hold by the respective banks in
whose favor they Pre- issued, as part of their
legal resources until the resumption of specie
payments.
Section 4, requires that when national
bank with its bonds held as security for its cir
culation, all subsequent bonds shall be at per
cent. as authorized by the act of July IA, 1870
The remaining sections require the withdrawal
OF all bonds bearing other than coin interest
and the substitution in their place Of coin in
terest bearing bonds within sixty days, and in
creases the amount OF the 5 and 4 10 per cent
bonds authorized by the act of July a. 1870 to
$500 100000 of each class.
A resolution by Mr.. Fenton was adopted, re.
questing the President to communicate all cor
respondence between the U. s. Minister at
Paris and the Secretary of State since the
breaking out of the war between France and
P-s.s~ia, k~r 90 sllo same relates 10 politicaf
subjects and matters connected with the war,
North German Confederation, with which the
United States legation in Paris has been charg-
ed.
The Secretary Of the Treasury was directed
to furnish the Senate with copy of the forms
and oaths, bonds rules and regul atoms pre-
scribed by him under the act of July IA, 1870
providing for immediate transportation of mer-
chandise from ports of entry to ports of deliv-
cry.
At 1.30 o'clock the Presidents message was
received, and the next hour was occupied in its
reading. 1t was then ordered to be printed.
HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-The opening of the
third session Of the 4lst Congress was attended
with the usual pleasant greetings between
members. Residents and visitors at Wash
ington turned out in great numbers to witness
the opening of the session. The galleries and
corridors OF the House were crowded with
spectators.
/ The House was called to order by Speaker
Blaine and the proceedings were opened with
prayer by Chaplain Rev. j. G.. Butler The
roll of members was then called.
Messrs. Sypher, Dixon and Duke were sworn
in as Representatives for the LIST Louisiana %
North Carolina and 9th Virginia districts re-
spectively, and at LAB tho Presidents Message
was received and read by Mr. Mcpherson
clerk, and ordered to be printed.
The Treasury Department report was also
received and was referred to the Committee on
Ways and Means
The bill to supply the omission in the last
Indian appropriation bill was reported by Mr..
Dawes and passed. Adjourned.