The Portland daily press., 1870-04-02
NEW S
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE
PORTLAND DAILY PRESS.
XLIst OONGRESS---Second Session.

SENATE
WASHINGTON, April 1.-The petition of O.
u. Hart, claiming that he was legally elected
Senator from Florida, instead of Mr.. Gilbert,
was referred TO. the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Morton Introduced bill as a substitute
for a former bill, to enforce the 18th amend
ment.
Mr.. Morton,s bill provides a penalty of i'm
prisonment of not less than 60 days nor more
than six months, and fine of not less than
$500 nor more than $1,000 for any person who
shall by bribery, intimidation, threats or in any
other manner attempt to interfere with the
U. S. Circuit and District Courts jurisdiction
to recognize such violations.
Notice was given that the resolutions re'a-
tive to the Oneida catastrophe would be called
up on Monday.
The case of Gen. Ames was then taken up.
Mr.. Bayard spoke against his admission, on
the ground that he had used military authority
to secure his election.
Mr. Sherman spoke in favor of Gen. Ames,
the disclaimer of Mr.. Sherman and those who
acted with him that they were not controlled
by partizan considerations was ertainly true,
for they we're about to do an act which would
not result in any benefit to the Republican
party. The Judiciary Committee had reported
not what they wished but what they thought
upon the facts and the law. 1t was expected
that the committee would be overruled and
would regret the fact. In view OF the prece-
dent established by the decision he would re-
mind senators that there was such thing as
the last straw, and that the last straw might
break TIE camel's back J
Mr.. Trumbull made an argument to prove
that no act on the part of Gen. Ames has been
shown in support of the idea of inhabitancy.
A further discussion epsued on a legal ques-
| ton between Mes.rs. Sumner, Edmunds,
| Trumbull and Conkling, after which Mr. Sum-
| ners motion to strike out the word mot" in
| the report of the judiciary Committee, max
| ing it read that Gen. Ames is eligible to a seat
IN the Senate of the United States, to which
| he has been elected, was agreed to; 40 10 II;
Messrs. Carpenter, Conkling, Edmunds, Pratt
| Schurz and Trumbull, voting in the negative.
| The amended report Of the committee was
| then adopted. s
Gen. Alnes took the oath of Office.
A resolution was adopted, dating the com
pensation of the Mississippi and Texas Sena'
tors from the date of the approval of the acts o
Congress declaring these States entitled tt
representation.
The Senate then adjourned until Monday.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Bennett of New York introduced join
resolution directing the Secretary of the Treas
ury to inquire relative to the state of trade be
tween the United States and the British Prov
lnces, for the purpose of ascertaining whether
| more advantageous relations to the commerce
| OF the United states may not be established
and authorizing him to appoint a suitable per
| SUI " uIdho eucu Inquiry, Win remuntrl
ton of ten dollars a day and ten cents a mile
for travelling expenses. Referred to the Com
mittee on Commerce.
An evening session fer tonight was agreed
upon for debate only. The House then wen
into committee of the whole on the tariff
The committee then proceeded to conside
the bill by sections for amendment, and in tn,
tirst section inserted clause fixing Octobe
lst, 1870, as the time for the bill to go toto eff
feet The clause imposing duty of 20 cent
per pound on teas of all kinds having beer
reached, Mr.. Loughridge of Iowa offered al
amendment to admit FREQ of duty tea whe,
imported in American vessels, or foreign yes
| ton from discriminating duties.
A long discussion ensued, pending which tn
committee rose and the Honse D assed the bill
paying JONES' Fowler & Keytland of N, '
York, contractors for BUILDING the dome of tn
capitol, $4,000 in full satisfaction of all claim
for the losses or damages arising from the GOV
erpment suspending the work.
The Senate bills authorizing the Lbraria,
of Congress to return to the executors {
Thomas Jefferson his private papers, and civ
ing the consent of the United States to til