The Portland daily press., 1870-12-15
XLIss OONGRESS---Third Session.
SENATE.

senteQ by MeSSrS. C0nkllng ana sherman, rep
senting that many of the veterans of the war
of 1872 are now inmates of poor houses and OBJ
jects of charity, and praying for pensions in
their behalf.
The House resolution for recess from the
22d of December to the 4th of January was
concDrred in, 36 to 16.
Mr. Fenton submitted the following:
RESOLVED, That the Committee on Retrench-
ment be instructed to furnish a comparative
detailed statement of the cost of collecting the
customs revenue at the ports Of New York,
Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Orleans
and San Francisco, with such recommenda-
tions favoring reduction on such expense as
they may deem compatible with the interest of
the public service; also to particularly report
on the present system and practices connected
with the warehousing business at New York
Adopted.
A resolution by Mr.. Fenton was adopted
calling on the Secretary of the Treasury for
full information as to the proceeds Of fines,
penalties, forfeitures and seizures by custom
house officers at New York, Boston, Philadel-
cisco from JAM 1st 1868, to Dec. 1st, 1870, with
the full details of legal proceedings or other
manner by which moneys were obtained, in
formers mOeties paid, and names of persons
prosecuted and punished otherwise than by
fine.
Mr.. Ross's bill suspeniing issue of the title
of the Miami reservation of lands in Kansas
until the alleged frauds in sale have been in
vestigated, was passed.
The bill providing relief fund for the en-
plOyes of the executive departments was dis
cussed for an hour by MessrS. COnkling Davis
Morton, Drake, Upton, Howe and Howell
Mr.. Davis offered an amendment prohibiting
political assessments in all the offices.
Mr.. Wilson submitted a substitute for an
amendment of bill previously introduced by
him on the same subject.
The bill was then laid aside and the bill Ol
the last session to promote the securing of eff
cient seamen for the navy was passed, amend
ed by new section providing the same allow
ance for clothing in the navy to non-commis-
stoned officers, privates or boys as in the army
or marine corps.
The Senate then took up the bill appropriate
ing $25OO to compensate j. Millarhest of Pa
ducah, KY, q Union surgeon, for the destruc-
ton Of his house in 1864 by order of a Union
commander during rebel attack upon the
place. The general questions of the liability OF
the government to pay for property taken for
public use, and whether the destruction Of the
premises in prosecution of an act of war, was
unconstitutional in the sense of their appropri-
alton for public use, were discussed during the
remainder Of the session by Messrs. Wiley
Conkling and Chandler in opposition. With.
out disposing of the bill the Senate held an ex-
ecutive session of ten minutes and adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Morrill, of Pennsylvania, from the Com
mittee on Manufactures, reported bill to pro-
vide for celebrating the Tooth anniversary Of
American independence by an international
exhibition of arts manufactures, productions
Of the soil and mines, at Philadelphia in 1876.
Mr. Morrill, asked that the bill be made a
special order for the 4th Thursday of January.
Mr.. Allison Of Iowa objected.
Mr.. Morrill, stated that the exhibition would
be no expense to the government, but he wish.
ed Congress to give the exhibition national
character.
Several amendments were adopted and the
bill was laid over.
The House then proceeded to the considera-
ton of the bill for free and general peace am
nesty and oblivion of all wrong acts, doings or
omissions OF all persons engaged in the late
rebellion.
The bill excepts West Point and Annapolis
graduates, members Of either house of Con-
gress and of the confederate Congress, heads
of the departments, of U: S. ministers and
judges of any U. S. courts who engaged in the
rebellion, members of the secession conventions
and governors of the seeded States during the
rebellion, or any person who cruelty treated
federal prisoners of war, or who have not dulS
accounted for U. S. funds entrusted to them
during the rebellion, or who have embezzled or
secreted any of the money, property or public
stores of the U. S. army or navy, and all boun-
ty jumpers. The bill also excepts all property
confiscated or forfeited, the title to which is
now held by the U. s., or any third person.
and all land occupied by national cemeteries.
The act does not impair the previous removal
of disabilities from any persons whom it ex-
cepts from its provisions, and declares invalid
every right of action and liability arising in
any ordinance, law or contract in aid of the re-
belion.
Mr.. Butler of Mass, who reported the bill
from the Committee on Reconstruction, pro-
ceeded to explain and advocate it.
Messrs. FarpswOrth and Beck offered sub
sttntes for the bill; the former removing un-
conditionally all disabilities under the Sd sec.
ton OF the 14th amendment, and the latter ex.
cepting only West Point and Annapolis grad
yates, members of Congress, heads of depart
ments, U. S. ministers and U. S. judges who
aided and participated in the rebellion.
Mr.. Bingham of Ohio, moved substitute
for the first section, removing all disabilities
from all persons except such as senators or
representatives in Congress in 1860 or 1861, OF
in either such years, officers in the army and
navy of the U. s.. heads of departments, U. S.
judges, U. S. ministers, and ali persons who in
violation held Office since the first of June,
1870.
Mr.. Potter of N. Y, also spoke in favor Of
Mr.. Farnesworth's amendment, and at the con-
cusion of his remarks the bill went over
though Mr. Butler had announced his inten-
ton to bring it to a vote at o'clock.
Mr.. Dawes of Mass, from Appropriation
Committee, reported a legislative, judicial and
executive appropriation bill, which was made
special order for Tuesday night. 1t appro'
pirates about $20,00O,0O0. Adjourned.