The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-03-09
XLIst O0NGRESS---Second Session.
SENATE.

oENAIE.
WASHINGTON, March 8.-Mr: Morton, from
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, reported
favorable the bill making it a misdemeanor to
fit out or equip ships in aid of any foreign
State, or of any colony engaged in lnsurrectlon
with whom the United States are at peace.
The penalties of the bill are fine of not ex-
ceeding $4,000 and imprisonment of not over
two years nor less than six months, with the
forfeiture of the vessel and outfit with all the
material, arms and ammunition, one-half to
the informer and the other half to the govern
ment. The President is authorized TO use the
land and naval forces in executing the bill.
Bills were introduced and referred as fol-
lows: By Mr.. Williams, joint resolution for
the redemption of the legal tender notes of the
United States. 1t provides that from and af-
ter the passage of the resolution all payments
to the United States on account of duties on
imports made to the amount of one-half OF
each payment in legal tender notes of the
United States. Referred to the Committee on
Finance.
BY Mr. Wilson, to promote the civilization
of the Indians and prepare them for the rights
of civilization; providing for the appointment
the Interior and Commissioner of Indian At
fairs shall constitute board, the Secretary to
be President, for the protection of friendly In
dams and to promote their civilization.
A bill was reported from the Committee on
Finance, providing that no tax hereafter be
levied on requests for public uses of literary,
charitable or educational character; but such
taxes already levied shall be collected.
A bill was introduced and referred providing
for the appointment by the President of
commission of three to examine and determine
the claims of southern loyalists for supplies
furnished the Federal army during the war,
payment to be made in land scrip at $1.25 per
acre.
A bill was introduced for the purpose OF sub
dividing the public domain in certain States
iv,{N r<xr al frnol Pofo
Mr.. Fowler submitted the following resolu-
ton, which was laid over under objection:
ResolOed, That as it is apparent that the cur
rency and finances of the United States are
rapidly approxmating to specie basis, the
Committee on Finance be instructed to report
a bill instructiDg the Secretary of the Treasury
to dispose of the surplus gold in the treasury
without delay, SO as to secure to the govern
ment premium thereon.
The Funding bill was taken up, and debated
by Messrs. Sherman, Corbett and Davis.
Mr.. Sherman replied at length to the objec.
ton to allowing one per cent. loan of twelve
million dollars for the expense of the negotia-
ton. He had read in support of his citation
letters from the Secretary of the Treasury
United States Consul at Amsterdam, and cited
also the expense OF negotiating previous loans
during the war. He also mentioned that it
was no disgrace to pay our interest abroad.
Mr.. Davis made an argument for the recon-
initial of the bill; after which the Senate went
into executive session and adjourned.
HOUSE.
A bill preventing the further sale of public
lands in Dacotah, except under the homestead
and presumption laws, was reported amended
by having it apply to all public lands, and then
rejected. 76 to 80.
The House resumed the consideration of the
Georgia bill.
Mr.. Wood of New York protested against the
bill, declaring it was intended as precedent
for the establishment of Congressional oil
garchy.
The vote on the passage of the bill was a
strict party VOTE Mr.. Bingham voted yea and
Mr.. Farnsworth did not vote. Mr. Butler of
Massachusetts said he had voted for the bill
simply because he desired the ratification of
the 18th amendment and because he would not
be found voting on political question with
the Democrats in the House.
A joint resolution from the Committee on
Printing, providing for the reduction of the
expenses Of the Patent Office printing, engrav.
ing and lithographing, was reported. 1t was
laid over.
The Pension Committee reported bill,
which also went over, providing that the pen
sion acts of 1866 and 1868 shall not be con-
strned to diminish the rates of pensions grant
ed in special bills
The resolution approprating 100000 in aid
of Capt. Hall, the Arctic explorer, was referred
to the Committee on Appropriations.
The House then adjourned.