The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-04-29
NEW s
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE
PORTLAND DAILY PRESS.
XLIst OONGRESS---Second Session.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, April 28.-Mr. Sumner pre-
scented petition from the National Executive
Committee of the colored people of the United
States asking that the word "whte'' be struck
from the naturalization laws. He said he had
already introduced bill on the subject and
hoped that the Judiciary Committee would
act promptly ON the subject.
Mr.. Edmunds, member of the Judiciary
said that the word "white" ought to be struck
ont of all laws; that the committee had been
charged with bills revising the whole of the
naturalization laws, and they expected to re-
port upon the subject Of the memorial in a
short time.
A resolution declaring Mr.. Gilbert entitled
to a seat from Florida, was passed.
Mr.. Stewart made personal explanation
relative to his connection with the Sutro Tun-
mel.
The joint resolution for the relief of certain
officers of the navy, was taken up.
The exceptions made by Mr.. Kobertson's bill
are all of persons who left Congress, the army
or the navy to aid the rebellion, and all mem
bers of the State Conventions which adopted
the ordinance of secession.
Mr.. Sumner hoped the Senators would not
spend as much time upon that subject as upon
the proposition for pension for Mrs. Lincoln.
Mr.. Edmunds replied that the Pension Com
mittee of which he was member, were taking
testimony on the subjectand the only trouble
was they had not been able to examine his
friend from Massachusetts. (Laughter.)
The bill then passed with the amendment
repeating the act of March I'd. 1867, and pro-
viding that an increase of pay go to officers in
consequence of promotion under said act, ex-
cept when on active duty.
The bill providing for better security of life
on steam vessels, and prohibiting the holding
Of any United States Circuit Court where it is
[uot] required by existing laws was passed !;
ing $4,000 to pay tho expenses of the General
Howard investigation, regulating the effect of
a vote of thanks by Congress on promotion in
the navy, the effect of which will be to continue
an Admiral ten years, while the promotions of
junior officers under him will be delayed in
consequence.
Mr.. FentOn introduced a bill TO INCORPORATE
the Washington Transatlantic Telegraph Co.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions. 1t gives H. c. Barney and associates
the right to lay telegraph cable between the
United States and Belgium.
The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE.
The committe on elections reported favorably
on q. 3. Donall as entitled to the scat from the
3rd Louisiana district. The minority report
favored Adolph Bailey.
The bill establishing department. OF JUS
tice was taken up and passed.
The joint resolution for portrait of General
Thomas passed unanimously.
Resolutions apprOpriating$ 5000 for expert
ments in ventilating the hall of the House, and
declaring that there had been no legal election
in the 9th Louisiana district, were passed.
The House then went into committee of the
whole on the tariff bill, and adopted, rs to SO.
the amendment to the railroad iron paragraph
fixing the duty at 60 cts. per hundred pounds
q reduction OF 10 cts. per hundred from the
present rates.
A number of subsequent amendments were
rejected, and pending discussion on the diff
ference between wire and round iron of the
same size, arising from the next paragraph re-
lating to iron wire, the committee rose and the
House adjourned.