Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-12
FORTY-FIRST CONGRESS.

SENATE. Petitions were presented for
steam communication with China. and that the
mission to China be made first-class; and
against the renewal of Corliss' steam engine
patent
Mr.. Sumner gave notice of a bill to author
izing the retunding and consolidation of the
national dobt, to extend banking facilities,
and the establishment of specie payment.
Mr.. Rowe introduced bill to more effect
ually preserve the neutral relations of the
United States.
Mr.. Rice called the bill in relation to the
Hot Springs reservations in Arkansas.
Amended and passed.
Mr.. Sherman from the Finance Committee,
reported as substitute for the various propo
sitions relating to the currency before the
committee, a bill providing for the issue of
81 ,O00, 900 more of National Bank note cur
rcncy, in place of an equal amount Of three
per cent. certificates, to be relieved also for ii
free banking system on a gold basis. The
banks to be allowed to issue gold notes to ex
tent of ninety per cent. of the bonds deposit
ted. No provision is made for funding.
At the expiration of the morning hour the
Virginia bill was again taken up, the question
being on Mr.. Wilson's motion to postpone.
A debate ensued between Messrs. Sumner,
Stewart, Trumbull and Yates.
Mr.. Fenton introduced a resolution re-
questing the Secretary of the Treasury to
report to the Senate the number of foreign
built vessels under enrolment registered
now employed in commerce in the United
States. with the names of such vessels.
whether steamer or sailing vessels, tonnage of
each, where built and date of law of Congress
which in the case authorized registration or
enrolment of such foreign built vessels.
Mr.. Corbctt called up a bill to exempt
nd Sh froO MT
which was passed.
Adjourned.
House. After an explanation from the
Speaker relative to the records of yesterday
the Speaker stated that the question was on
the passage of the Virginia bill.
Mr.. Bingham of Ohio, said he understood
that the committee on reconstruction was pre-
pared this morning to report the bill for the
admission of Virginia. He would therefore
withdraw his bill and offer it as a substitute
for that of the committee.
Mr.. Farnsworth of Illinois, thereupon from
the Committee on Reconstruction, reported
the following to admit Virginia to representa-
ton in Congress of the United States:
Whereas, The people of Virginia have
adopted constitution republican in form, and
by its provisions assuring the equality of
rights to all citizens of the United States.
before the law. and
Whereas, The Congress of the United
States have received assurances and are as
sured that the people of Virginia. especially
those heretofore in Iinsurrection against the
United States, have renowned the claim of
any right of secession in State, and that
they are now well-disposed towards the gov
eminent of the United States, and will sup
| port and defend the constitution thereof and
will carry out in letter and spirit the provis-
| ions and requirements of the constitution,
submitted under the reconstruction acts of
| Congress and ratified by the people of Vir-
| ginia.
! Therefore, be it enacted, &C., That the
| State of Virginia is entitled to representation
in Congress as a State of the Union, under
the constitution ratified on the 9th of January,
| 1869, upon the following fundamental condi-
| tions:
| lst. That nc person shall hold any office,
| civil or military, in said State, who shall not
| have taken and subscribed to one of the fol-
lowing oaths as a member of Congress. or as
| an officer of the United States, or as a MEM
Der of any State legislature, or as an execu-
tive or judicial officer of any State. to support
the constitution of the United States, and
thereafter engaged in instruction or rebellion
against the same, or giving aid or comfort to
the enemies thereof:
81 do solemnly swear or affirm that | have
| been relieved of disability by an act of Con-
gress, provided for by the third amendment
| of the constitution of the United States"
The second provides that the constitution
shall never be changed so to deprive any class
of citizens of the United States of the right to
| hold State offices except felons nor deprive
| any citizen or color from serving on juries
nor from school privileges.
The third provides that all persons holding
Office now shall continue until others are
chosen under the new constitution.
Adjourned.