The Portland daily press., 1870-05-06
XLIst OONGRESS---Second Session.
SENATE.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, May 5.-Mr. Edmunds, from
nf6 eesieesE tf1s,fnfl6n.
with Recommendation that it be Indefinitely
postponed. The bill and report were ordered
to be printed.
Mr.. Vickers, from the Committee on Com
merce, reported adversely on the bill to regu-
late the importation of emigrants under labor
contracts.
The House resolution for final adjournment
on the 4th of July was discussed without &C.
ton until the expiration Of the morning hour.
The Usage Indian land bill coming up the
question being on an amendment of Mr.. Ross
to take the lands from the Indians at 20 cents
an acre and give them to certain railroads in
Kansas at specified sums, and giving settlers
on the reservations the right to purchase 16O
each at $1.25 an acre, Mr.. Morrill, of Maine
made an argument against the measure. He
proposed to give the Indians IS cents an acre
for land worth 81 80 an acre; that the land was
to be taken at a trihing sum from its rightful
owners; that paying $45,0OO for stolen horses,
without saying into whose hands the payment
was to be made, and. that the interest on
$375,O00 was set afioat for national purposes
without any definition of those national pur-
poses The bill was generally Objectionable,
and that its passage would be legislative
scandal. He moved to recOmmit the bill, with
instructions to the committee to report bill
for the removal of the Usage Indians to the
Indian Territory and for the sale Of Their reser-
vations for cash as other public lands are dis
posed of. The bill was ther laid aside
Mr.. Thurman, from the Committee on FL
nance, reported bin for the reduction of tax
es. The amount of reductions proposed are as
follows: On incomes, $14OO0O0O; on sales,
$3,76aOOO; gross receipts, Sc 1852, 900; articles
in schedule A, $395O00; salaries. of United
States officers, $6J3,O0O; passports 27, 900; leg
acies and SUGGESTIONS, $2,Sss, 600; miscellane-
Gus, gas, 900; special taxes, except on spirits
l. n alrrIn knxr
all taxes on employment, $9,311,G 90; total,
$43 6O7 900. This will leave the taxes on the
following articles in force: On distilled spirits,
fermented liquors, tobacco, gas and on incomes
at the rate of 8 per cent.
Bill to abolish the ranking privilege came
up as the special order, and Mr.. Stewart moved
to pass over the bill and take up the next spec
ial order, bill to enforce the 18th amendment
Mr.. Conkling appealed to the Senate to act
on the ranking bill at once
Mr. Williams said the bill cut off. the frank
ing privilege from every officer of the govern
ment and provided no substitute. If passed in
the shape in which it came from the House,
another bill would have to be passed to enable
the government to transact its ordinary bust
ness.
Mr.. Conkling suggested that the Thanking
bill would not go into effect until q certain
date, and if passed any necessary revision oil
postal laws could be made in the meantime.
Mr.. Sumner explained his proposed substi-
tute for the bill, which would cheaper and SIM
pity the postal service, but was not prepared
to-day to act upon the measure.
Mr.. Cameron thought that the Senate was
demoralized and moved an adjournment. Lost.
After further discussion, interspersed with nm
successful motions to adjourn the Senate vot-
ed, 26 to q, to pass over the ranking BILL The
executive, legislature and judicial appropria-
ton bill was then taken up and the Senate adj
journed.
Mr.. Paine, from the Committee on Elections
reported a bill regulating compensation in
cases of contested elections. Recommitted. II
provides that no money shall be paid either al
mileage or compensation to the sitting member
or contestant while the contest is pending, ant
after 1t is decided mileage and compensation
are to be paid to the person to whom the sea-
| is awarded; the person against whom thu
claim is decided only to be allowed his actua
| expenses in prosecuting or defending his RICH
| to the seat. The act is not to apply to the Ais
| Congress. .s
Mr.. Stokes of Tennessee reported bill fol
| the relief of Capt. David Beatty's company o
independent scouts of Tennessee, which wa
passed.
The House took up the bill to regulate tn
civil service.
Mr.. Peters presented as an argument agains
the bill a letter from a cripple in the employ
ment of the government, pleading the claim
of his class against the provisions Of the bill.
/ AittI speeches against the Dill by MeSsrS
Niblack, Morrill, of Maine, and Maynard, Mr.
Kelley OF New York moved to lay it on the ia
BILE. Negatived, 43 to 1O4.
Mr.. Jenckes sf Rhode Island rose to clos
the debate, and gave notice that he woul
give notice 10 recOmmit the bill and amend
ments TO the Committee on Civil Service.
Mr., Benton of New Hampshire denouuce,
the bill as impolitic and impracticable.
| Mr.. Kelley of Pennsylvania announced hi
adhesion to the bill.
| Mr. Jenckes said he was not disappointed n
the reception which the bill experienced. H
believed if 228 men were drawn by lot frol
among the people of the United States ther
would be fewer found among them who Wer
| opposed to this measure than were foun
| among the members OF the House. In renIv /
the objection Of Mr.. Maynard that the biY re
moved the power further from the people, h
asked what chance the psople had now to eai
admission to minor offices. Who ever gaine
any appointment now except through mol; tic;
or personal influence? He ridiculed the COZ
stitutional argument of MIR. Bingham an
thought that he found good reasons Tor the OF
position Of Messrs. Peters and Benton in th
TACT that the States Of Maine and New Ham,
Shire had as many employees in the Treasur
Department as eighteen other States
MIR. Peters remarked that he had but on
appointee in the Treasury Department. A
of the appointments charged to his distri,
were made on the recommendation of his prt
decesSOr.
Mr.. Ella of New Hampshire remarked tn.
there was but one appointment from his di
,, trict. He asked if there were more detection