The Portland daily press., 1870-01-13
XLIst C0NGRESs---Seoond Session.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12.-Mr. Conkling pre-
sented the resolution of the Legislature of New
York, Withdrawing the assent of the State to
the ratification of the fifteenth amendment
He said he thus discharged a distastetul duty
and regretted a record so ill-advised should
have come from the State of New York. At
the proper TINA he shnnld show how littla snch
proceeding deserved the consideration of the
Senate.
Mr.. Sumner introduced a bill to authorize
the refunding and consolidation of the national
debt, to extend banking facilities, and to estab-
lish specie payment.
Mr.. Sumner explained the bill. He said that
while it embodied his former proposition SUBJ
stituting bank notes for greenbacks, the bill
also provided for the retunding and consolida-
ton of the national debt in such way as to
make it easy to bear, while bringing the exist
ing currency to par with coin. The preserva-
ton OF the national credit and the reduction
OF existing taxation were most essential at this
time; the latter involving two things-first
reduction of the present annualinterest on the
national debt, and second, the Spreading of the
national debt over succeeding generations
Posterity could easily bear this responsibility
and as matter OF justice should be compelled
to shoulder it. BY economy of taxation now
our business interests would be relieved. The
bill contemplated the prompt extinguishment
of the 5-2Os of 1862, and upon a certain period
OF notice, say six months, so that distant hold
ers in Europe may be advised, the interest of
the 5-20s of 1862 shall cease and the bonds be
forthwith redeemed in coin
The Virginia bill was then taken up and the
consideration OF the amendment offered by
Mr.. Drake to prevent the resembling of the
ratification of the fifteenth amendment by
Virginia, was resumed.
The amendment was opposed by Messrs.
Conkiing and Scott.
MIR. Pomeroy said the Legislature had not
been regularly organized and the fifteenth
amendment never legally ratified By the State
Mr.. Wilson offered to amend by substituting
for Mr.. brakes amendment the bill reported
yesterday by the Reconstruction Committee.
Mr.. Wilson offered an amendment to the bill
reported on the previous day by the House
Reconstruction Committee.
Mr.. Edmunds suggested an amendment re-
curing the imposition of the oath in the case
of the STATE officers in order that they should
not be obnoxious to the fourteenth anne ndment.
Mr.. Morton gave notice that he would further
amend by declaring in the form of preamble
that the ratification of the fourteenth and if
teenth amendments as conditions precedent to
the representation of Virginia had been made
pear on record, and if hereafter violated it
would be for Congress to take action in the
vindication of its own order by Furnishing the
treachery.
Mr.. Summer submitted memorial from GER
tain Republicans from Virginia now in Wash
ington, containing statements of affairs in Vir-
GINA, and in opposition to the admission of
that state without further guarantees.
~, Inc char in answer to inquiries said that
the whole number of names was thirteen, all
in the same handwriting.
MI. Nye said he would submit whether the
communication was not so disrespectful as to
require its exclusion from the Senate. He was
surprised that the Senator from Massachusetts,
should present paper which reflected in the
grossest manner possible on the colleague of
his own coordinate branch.
MIR. Sumner said as the memorial simply sets
forth the remarks upon the conversation, be
could not be held responsible for their utter
ernor Walker and denounced the memorial and
its authors.
The matter was further discussed by Messrs.
Sherman, Sumner and Stewart and without
action at p. M. the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE
Mr.. Wood of New York presented the joint
resolution of the New York Legislature with
drawing its assent, heretofore given, to the
fifteenth constitutional amendment Laid on
the table.
Mr.. Garfield of Ohio introduced bill amend
ing the act establishing Department of Edu-
cation, and abolishing the Bureau of Refu-
gees and the freedman and Abandoned Lands.
Referred.
The bill transferring the Philadelphia navy
yard to League Island was taken up. After
discussion the bill was laid over until to-mor-
row.
Several bills aud resolutions were then pre-
scented aud referred.
Mr.. Judd of Illinois gave notice that he
would call up the bill for the apportionment of
representation at the earliest opportunity.
The House proceeded to the consideration of
the bill to admit the State of Virginia to rep
resentation.
The bill was debated by Messrs. Farnsworth
and Paine in favor and Morgan in opposition
to it until the adjournment.