The Portland daily press., 1870-02-03

'SuSCh oO HldNg vi It's uultS do Will Cpu"i thC
amount required of it.
Considerable discussion ensued relative 10
the printing ~ be given TO important bills now
pending; among others the census bill, the bill
lor the transfer of certain appropriations IN
the Navy Department, and for the abolition OF
the ranking privilege.
Mr.. Howe, on leave, addressed the Senate IN
! support of the bill recently introduced by him
| to more effectnally preserve the neutral rela-
tons of the United States The bill repeats
certain sections of the act of 1878, which for
Dlds the hiring of an American citizen to enlist
Ill foreign army, or his going abroad for that
| purpose; and prohibits American shipbuilders
| from being concerned in the building, lifting
| out or equipping of vessels designed to cruise
| against any foreign power with whom we are
| at peace. He argued that this statute of 1918
was part of the arrangement by which Spain
| coded to us Florida, the cesson being made
simultaneously with legislation, which was de-
| signed to enable Spain TO hold on to her own
colonies. The statute was designedly unneu-
trail, because it passed at the solicitation of
one neutral against the interests OF the other.
Mr.. Howe spoke on the bill until the adj
| journment
Bills were reported and passed, authorizing
| the Committee on Claims to determine the
case of E. Dickelman of Prussia; also author
izlng Commander Kirkland to accept gold
| medal from Napoleon, and authorizing Com
| mander Baldwin to accept gold medal.
Mr. Swan, of Maryland, from the Commit
| tee on Foreign Affairs, to which was referred
the resolution in reference to the treatment OF
American citizens in the prisons of Great
| Britain for political offences, made a report,
closing with resolution calling on the Presi-
dent for all the information on the subject in
| his possession which he may feel at liberty to
communicate. The report states that while
expressing no opinion on the truth or talsity
of the statements brought to the notice of the
committee, they deem it their duty to express
their cordial sympathy on the subject of the
resolution so far as to cooperate in the en-
deavor to procure the fullest Information on
the facts involved, not only as duty of Chris
tian charity but of obligation to adopted citi-
zens. Mr.. Swan addressed the House in sup
port of the resolution.
Mr.. Cox, of New York, who had offered the
original resolution, also addressed the House.
He asked no hurried or indignant or indecor-
Gus action; only the representation by this
Government in the spirit of the country and
in the interest of civilization and humanity.
The Speaker announced the appointment of
Messrs. Poland, Garfield and Cox as Regents
of the Smithsonian Institution.
Mr.. Wilson, of Minnesota, followed on the
same side.
Mr.. Willard, of Vermont, spoke on the op-
posite side of the question.
The morning hour having expired the sub
ect went over.
Mr.. Logan, of Illinois, offered a resolution.
declaring that the people of Cuba have for
more than fifteen months carried on active hos
tilities against Spain for independence; that
they have established and still maintain de
tdcto government and now occupy with their
armies and control a large portion of the
island, and instructing the Committee on For
eign Affairs to inquire what reason, if any, ex-
ist why the Republic of Cuba should not be
recognized by the United States Government
as a belligerent Adopted.
Mr.. Paine, of Wisconsin, introduced a Joint
resolution to authorize the Secretary of War
to provide for the taking of meteorological OBJ
servations at military stations at other points
IN the interior OF the continent and for giving
notice on the northern lakes and seaboard of
the approach of storms. Passed.
Mr.. Davis, of New York, from the judiciary
Committee, reported back the bill to establish
uniform system Of naturalization. Recon-
mitted.
Mr.. Stark, of Kansas, presented a memorial
OF the Kansas Legislature in favor of an ad-
lustment of apportionmeut of representation
IN the.Several States; also a concurrent resolu-
tion of the Kansas Legislature in favor of the
removal OF the National Capital to the Fort
Leavenworth Military Reservation and in
structing the Senators and Representatives to
vote against the additional appropriation for
public buildings in Washington.
Petitions were presented for the abolition of
the tranking privilege; against the increase of
duty on steel, and from shipbuiders in Noank
and Mystic, Conn.,, for legislation in aid of the
commerce and shipbuilding interests
Mr.. Banks, of Massachusetts,, asked the
chairman of the Committee on Appropriations
to state whether that committee had con-
sidered any measures for the relief of the large
number of mechanics discharged from the
navy yards in various parts of the country.
Mr.. Dawes, of Massachusetts, replied that
bill for that purpose was before the committee
and would probably be reported tomorrow
morning after a conference with the Navy De-
paltment.
The House went into committee of the
whole and took up the Senate bill appropriate
ing $4,000 for the poor of the District of Co.
lumbia and allowing $4,000 worth of con-
demned army clothing to be distributed, and
assigning the storehouses in judiciary square
to the Women's Christian Association to give
employment to INDECENT women The bill gave
rise to considerable discussion. At the conclu-
sion of the debate the committee rose and the
House. without disposing finally of the bill, at
o'clock adjourned.