The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-02-22
XLIst OONGRESS---Second Session.
SENATE,

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.-A joint resolution
was introduced declaring the ratification of
the 18th amendment by the requisite number
of States Referred.
Mr.. Patterson reported a bill to abolish the
Freedmen's Bureau and provide for a Bureau
of Education, the duties properly the business
of the Freedmen's Bureau, except those relat-
ing to education, to be transferred to the
officers of the War Department.
A resolution was adopted calling on the
President for any recent information in his
possession relative to the case of Fitz John
Porter.
Mr.. Chandler spoke against Porter. alleging
that the latter confessed treachery to Pope
while the trial was in progress; and tn at some
of the members of the court martial were in
favor of the death sentence and the rum or
was that the only reason why the penalty was
not inflicted was because Mr.. Lincoln refused
in advance to approve it.
Mr.. Wilson spoke in favor of a rehearing.
The matter was disposed of by the with
drawal of the resolution.
A bill was introduced to establish territor-
ial government in Alaska.
The bill to reorganZe the marine hospital
service was passed. 1t authorizes the reten-
ton of forty cents per month from the wages
of each seaman in United States vessels.
The report of the committee of conference,
fixing the deficiency appropriation bill at 81
GOO, 900 was cOncurred in.
Mr.. Wilson introduced joint resolution di-
recting that no speech not actually delivered
in Congress be printed in the Globe, which was
Immediately passed.
The Senate soon after went into executive
session.
HOUSE.
Several bills were introduced and referred
among them one to enforce the rights of citi-
zens of the United States to vote in all States
where it has been hitherto denied, without re-
gard to race or color; abolishing the Educa-
bilitieS in the States ratifying the 18th amend
ment; reducing the income tax to three per
cent. and exempting $4,000; increasing the tax
on distilled spirits to one per cent. per gallon
atOlishing the Office of pension agent and pro-
viding for the payment of pensions by post
masters.
Mr.. Loughbrdge's resolution, directing the
Banking Committee to report as soon as pos
sible the bill increasing the currency $50,OOO,-
900, was adopted-110 to 73
The Senate bill removing political DISABLE
ties from 400 or 500 persons in the various
Southern States who had applied for pardon
was passed.
Mr. Logan of Illinois, from the Committee on
Military Affairs, reported that they had taken
the testimony in the case of B. f. Whittemore,
a member of Congress from the first district of
South Carolina, which testimony, together
with a statement made to the committee by
Mr.. Whittemore in the exculpation OF himself,
had been submitted to the House, and the
making the appointment to the military and
naval academies from the district represented
by him, he (B. F. Whittemore) had been influ-
enced by improper considerations, and sub
mitted the following resolution:
Resolved, That B. f. Whittemore, Represen.
tative in Congress from the First Congression-
al District of South Carolina, be and is hereby
expelled from his seat as a member of the
House of Representatives in the Forty-First
Congress.
The Clerk then read the testimony of Mossrs.
Catharl, Bailey and Keighter, of New York,
Gen. Schofeld, of Washington, and of E. P.
Brooks, a newspaper correspondent, and the
statement made by Mr.. Whittemore. The re-
port is signed by Messrs. Logan, Cobb, Pack
ard, Stoughton, Asper, Wither, Morgan, Slo-
cum and Hoag.
The testimony spoke of negotiations with
Mr.. Whittemore for cadetships at prices rang
ing from $500 to $4,000, and Mr.. Daily testified
to having paid $500 tor the appointment of
his son. Mr.. Whittemore said he offered an
appointment to Mr.. Shaw, of Boston, through
friendship. Afterwards naval cadetship was
given to a young friend of Mr.. Linden's, with
out price, but the latter agreed to give him
$500 for the relief of the poor in Mr.. White
more's district
1t was finally ordered that the evidence be
printed, and that Wednesday next be assigned
as the time for Mr.. Whittsmore to appear be-
fore the bar of the House and make his defence
The House then adjourned.