The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-02-26
XLIst OONGRESs---second Session.
SENATE.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-Mr Howard intro
duced bill to divide the State of Texas and to
establish the territories of Jefferson and Mata-
garda. He said the proposition was to divide
Texas into three parts; that portion east of
San Antonio and Trinity rivers, containing by
the census of 1860 about 230 900 inhabitants, to
be called the territory of Jefferson; that por-
ton between those rivers and the Colorado
river to constitute the State of Texas which
space in 1860 contained about 100000 inhabi-
tants; and all west of the western boundary
line of this State, embracing by the census of
1860 about 115,000 inhabitants to be denomi-
mated the territory of Matagorda
The credentials of Gen. Ames, as Senator
elect from Mississippi were referred to the Ju-
dietary Committee.
The credentials of Mr.. Revels were then
considered.
Mr.. Vickers opposed them.
The debate continued until 44O P. NJ, as
Stunning. wide political and general range,
when Mr.. Stockton's motion, to refer the Gre
dentials to the Judiciary Committee, was de-
feated, 4S to 8. and the motion to administer
the oath of Office was passed by the same vote.
Mr.. Revels was conducted to the front of the
Presidents desk by Mr.. Wilson. The oath
was and he eB B IS On bis Fl
fighting
Mr.. Wilson made a speech eulogizng the
Congressional plan of reconstruction; after
which the Senate adjourned to Monday.
Several bills were introduced, including one
establishing system of national education,
and one establishing Department of Justice.
The Committee on Elections were discharged
| from the further consideration of charges
against the loyalty of Representative Hamill,
of Maryland
| The House then proceeded to vote on the re-
served amendments to the legislative appro-
| pration bill. An amendment appropriating
$500 for the Department of Education was
adopted-yeas 100, nays g. An amendme Mt
making an appropriation for mint at Carson
City, Nevada, as a substitute for the clause
abolishng the law which established it, was
| agreed to-yeas 80, nays g.
Mr.. Butler, yielding to the various sug yes
| tions made, had the bill recopnmitted and or.
| dered to be printed, giving notice that he
would report it back Tuesday.
| Mr. Beck offered substitute which was
also ordered to be printed.
The House then proceeded to reconsider pri-
| waite bills. A large number of bills were re-
| ported from the Committee on Invalid Pen
sions and disposed'of.
Mr. Butler of Massachusetts,, from the Re-
construction Committee, reported bill to ad
NIT Georgia to representation in Congress, and
| asked TO have it put upon its passage.
Mr.. Bingham of Ohio hoped that it would
not be passed until after it was printed Geor-
| gia had already been admitted to representa-
| tlon.
Mr.. Cullom-Twce.
Mr.. Butler-It is tdlidefa Uer6is, the same as
the Virgiuia and Mississippi bills.
Mr.. Eldridge of Wisconsin suggested that
| Mr.. Butler should also include the State O
| Massachusetts,.
Mr.. Wood notified Mr.. Butler that the bill
| could not possibly be disposed of to-day. The
report was very far from being a unanimous
/ one, and more than one or two amendments
or substitutes would be offered by members o
| the Reconstruction Committee. 1t presented
| an entirely new question. He appealed to Mr.
| Butler to let the bill go over till Monday.
The resolution by Mr.. Shanks. of Indiana
was adopted, directing the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs to inquire whether any officer 0
| the army or navy, including the War and
Navy Department; had advised or solicited ca
detships for any person not bona fde residents
of district, or otherwise disqualified, O
whether any such officer acquiesced or official
ly accepted any such nomination, knowing i
to be of the character indicated.
The Indian appropriation bill, appropriatne
50, 1885, was then taken up in the commit
tee of the whole.
Mr.. Sargent of California having charge O
the bill, denounced the late massacre of In
dams by Col. Bakers command as related by
Vincent Colyer, and regretted that the hero Q
Shenandoah had to stand responsible tor sucl
deed.
After long debate npon the responsibilit,
| of Gen. Sheridan for the massacre, in which
| he was defended by Messrs. Clarke of Ohio
Lawrence and Wilson of Pennsylvania ant
Eldrdge of Wisconsin, the committee ros
+ and the House adjourned until Monday.