The Portland daily press., 1870-02-08
Eastern and Western Continents. 1t gives to

| l1dSttTu anu w eSUeru O0utlueuts. IL gives W
American and Asatic telegraph companies
the exclusive right for fourteen years to con-
stuct and maintain submarine cable TO ASA,
commenciu.: at point south of San Juan, ia
Washington Territory, aud provides for detail
ing United States vessels to assist IN the pro-
moton OF the enterprise.
Mr.. Wilson, from the Committee on Military
Affairs, reported joint resolution to give the
National Soldiers Asylum certain sum arls-
| ing from fines and forfeited bountles.
On motion of Mr.. Trumbull the Senate took
| up the bill to, relieve from importantly and to
preserve the independence of the several de-
partments OF the government. He explained
That the bill originally provided recommeda-
lions to office by members of Congress unless
IN writing and at the request of the appoint
ing power. The Judiciary Committee beiiev-
ing the restriction would be evaded by mem
bers had attempted to make the bill more eff
ferfnal by prohibiting recommendations en-
tirely.
The bill was discussed until the expiration
of the morning hour, when it was laid aside in
order to proceed with the census bill.
MIR. Sumner spoke in support of the House
bill, claiming the difference in expense be-
tween the two systems was very immaterial
AT 3 ~ L. M. message was received fr,.m
tative Hoag. After short addresses by Nessrs.
Thurmao and Sherman, and the adoption OF
resolutions OF respect for the memory of the
deceased the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Bills were introduced and referred-by Mr..
Mr.. Morrill, of Maine, to aid the construction
OF sea going vessels, steamboats, and ships, by
allowing drawbacks of duties on materials of
so per cent. on home productions and IS per
cent on foreign productions; by Mr.. Ella, of
New Hampshire, to regulate the rank of naval
constructors and civil engineers in the navy;
by MIR. Burlington, the resolutions of the Com
monwealthIof Massachusetts, relating to French
SDOilatl0n claims nv Mr. Sphofiah nj Banp-
sylvania, to except from the operation of the
law abOlishing the Thanking privilege the cir
culation of weekly newspapers within the
counties where they are published; by Mr..
Getz of Pennsylvania, to allow all newspapers
and periodicals published within the United
States to be transmitted through the mails
free of postage when sent from the Office of
publication to actual regular subscribers: by
Mr; Kelly of Pennsylvania, to promote the es-
tabli.hment of an international met,ical sys-
tenn of coinage; by Mr.. Ridgeway, of Virginia,
for the repeal of the act prescribing the oath
of office; also removing political disabilities
from the people of Virginia; by Mr.. Dockery,
OF North Carolina, requiring uniform rail
road guage in the United States, also for the
removal of political disabilities in North Car
Dina; by Mr.. Walker, to discontinue the Freed
mems Bureau; by Mr.. Stevenson of Ohio. to
amend the banking act so as to extend the
time for suits by and against assgnees and for
proceeding to assign the order of discharges.
The resolution offered by Mr.. Marshall of
Illinois, last Monday, that a tariff levied for
any purpose other than revenue, and especial
ly one levied to foster and enrich one section
Of the country at the expense of the other, or
to foster and enrich one class of citizens at the
expense of Others, is unauthorized by the Con-
stitution, unjust to the great body of the Amer
lean people, and in its results Injurious event.
ually to nearly every individual interest of the
country.
Resolved, That in the preparation of the bill
for modification of the existing tariff laws
Congress should confine its action strictly to
the preparation of tariff for revenue exclu-
sively, and that the duties on DO articles should
be greater than that which could give the max
imum of revenue on such articles.
The question was on Mr.. Kelly's, of New
York, motion to lay on the table. which was
carried; yeas SO, nays ". A motion to recon-
slider was tabled, 81 to 80.
Messrs. Hale, Lynch and Morrill,, of Maine,
voted in the affirmative; Mr.. Peters vote is
not recorded.
Mr.. Bingham of Ohio, introduced bill
amendatory to the laws re ating to the rates of
postage, making letter postage two cents and
one cent for every additional half ounce or
fraction thereof, making postage on newspa-
pers Or periodicals issued daily, weekly, month
ly or all other periods one cent not exceeding
four ounces in weight and one cent for every
additional ounce or fraction thereof Papers
published or within 800 miles of the place of
publication to be exempt from postage, and ex-
changes between publishers to be free. Post
age on drop letters and musical circulars to be
one cent for each additional half ounce or frac-
ton thereof Manuscripts intended for pub
fishers, not exceeding two ounces in weight, to
be three cents postage and one cent for every
additional ounce.
The second section makes it the duty of the
Postmaster General to establish uniform and
moderate box rent.
Mr.. Beck of Kentucky, introduced a bill to
authorize the government to adopt all patents
and copyrights for its own purpose on such
terms as may be agreed upon.
Mr.. Orth of Indiana, offered resolution
calling on the President for the correspondence
with the Spanish government and the Ameri-
can Minister at Madrid in relation to Cuban
affairs, with such information as may be in his
possession as to the present position of the
struggle for independence in that island.-
Adopted.
Mr.. Sargent of California, from the Commit
tee on Appropriations, reported an Indian APP
preparation bill.
The death Of Mr.. Hoag, member from Ohio,
was announced by his colleague. Mr.. Morgan,
and after the usual eulogies the House ad-
journed.