The Portland daily press., 1870-02-02
XLIst O0NGRESS---Second Sessi
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Feb. LIN answer to reso-
luton of inquiry from Congress relative to
Georgia affairs the Attorney General replies
that he has given nc official opinions in writ
ing, but had informally upon one occasion, at
the request of the General of the army, made a
private memorandum of his views upon partic-
ular questions. The communication was re-
ferred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Ramsey offered resolution inStructing
the Committee on Foreign Relations to consid-
er the expediency of recommending to the
President that this government shall tender its
mediation between the Dominion of Canada
and people of the Red River settlements with a
view to the adjustment OF pending difficulties.
The chair designated the new Senators How
ell, Lewis and johnson to fill vacancies ON the
committees on Political Disabilities, Pensions
and the District of Columbia.
The Senate then resumed the consideration
of the currency bill.
Mr.. Buckingham delivered lengthy adj
dress in exposition of his own views upon the
financial policy of the government.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the
currency bill when Mr.. Buckingham delivered
an address on financial topics
After some further remarks by Messrs. Sum-
ner, Williams, Morton and Corbett the Senate
in pursuance of the previous agreement, pro-
ceeded to vote upon the pending propositions.
The amendment of Mr.. Morton to increase the
amount of the additional circulation from $45-
100000 to $52OOO,0OO was agreed to; yeas 80,
nays q.
MT. COnklnS proposed an amendment IN
tended to make the first section more definite
by inserting after the words ''but new appor
tionment," the words "the $4,000 900 OF circu-
lating notes hereby authorized the effect be-
ing to restrict apportionment to the extra vol
ume of circulation Gow authorized instead of
to the entire amount. The amendment was
not adopted.
The amendm7et offered by Messrs. Kellogg
Vickers, Conkling, Sumner, and Salisbury
were rejected. Mr.. Morton renewe ed the
izing the withdrawal of thirteen millions of
the circulation from the States having an ex:
I cess and its distribution among the States and
| Territories having less than their share. the
demand to be made first upon those banks hav-
| ing n ore than one million capital. The amend
| ment was then adopted; yeas 81, nays u.
| Mr.. Sherman moved to amend SO as to pro-
vide for the apportionment simply OF the
| amount authorized by tie bill upon the basis
| of she census of 1870 The amendment was
| agreed to.
The amendments offered by Messrs. Casser-
ly, Rice and Thurman were rejected.
The bill was then reported to the Senate
| from the committee of the whole, and the ques-
| ton being upon agreeing to amendments, Mr..
! Sherman said he desired to have q separate
| vote upon the amendment of Mr.. Morton with
drawing $3oOO,oOO from the present circulation
| of States in excess
Upon the suggestion of Mr.. Cameron the
final disposition of the bill was deferred until
| to morrow, in order that the bill as amended
! might be printed.
| Mr.. Anthony laid on the table a bill to dis
\ continue the publication of hooks by the gem
sral government for popular distribution.
Adjourned.
| HOUSE.
Mr. Paine, of Wisconsin, chairman of the
| Committee on Elections, made report in
hvor of having the oath administered to Mr..
| booker, member elect from the 4th Congress
| sonal district of Virginia He admitted that
here were charges of disloyalty against Book
| e, but claimed his case stood on the same
| gound as that of Mckenzie, who was sworn
| il yesterday
1r. Poland declared that Booker could not,
| Without committing perjury, take the test oath.
| ii, had read the testimony in the case and as
| sued the House that Mr.. Booker had given
Official and personal aid to the rebellion, was
| actually engaged in it and could no more take
| th test oath than Jefferson Davis could. After
doate the report was adopted-87 to 71-and
| Gorge w. Booker then took the oath and his
| set as member from Virginia.
bill was reported to prevent gift enter
pres or other swindles from being sent
| Though the mail.
Mr.. Farnsworth, of Illinois, asked for its im-
| maiate passage.
Mr.. Wood, Of New York, objected and it
| went over.
1r. Schenck, of Ohio, chairman of the Com
| mitee on Ways and Means, reported bill to
| amend the tariff law, and moved its reference
to he committee of the whole, and that it be
| made special order from Thursday the 10th
ms, until disposed of.
Mr.. Schenck explained the bill by stating
| tha although the Committee on Ways and
| Mems had been instructed to report in the
| secnd week of the session it was impossible
| for he committee to do so in justice to the va
| rioH interests of the country, the representa-
| tive of which came before the committee day
| aftr day, and evening after evening. The re-
| sui of all the consideration given by the COM
| mitee was the bill now presented. 1t was not
| a general revision of the tariff but was amend
| atOy of the law. The items were confined to
| tboe in which changes were proposed, either
| in the rates or in the mode Of imposing the
| dut. In reply to question, Mr.. Schenck
| staed that the bill was reported by the unani-
| mols order of the committee. He stated that
tina committee endangered wherever it was
/ possible to substitute equivalent specific duties
| for id valorem duties. The committee had also
| in tbs bill very much enlarged the free list on
| two accounts: First, that some articles cost
| moe to collect the duties on them than the
| duty amounted to; second, other articles of
! raw material entered largely into the industry
| of the country and the duties on them could
| be abolished without imposing other duties.
| The committee thought also, that to encourage
| the introduction of raw materials from abroad
| to be manufactured here would be an advan-
| tage to the shipping interests of the country.
| After considerable discussion the bill was
| MADE the special order for the 18th inst, and
the House went into committee of the whole
on the legislative appropriation bill.