The Portland daily press., 1871-01-12
XLIst O0NGRESS---Third Ses sion.
SENATE,

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE House concur
| rent resolution fOrIthe appointment of joint
Committee on all ocean cable legislation wa
eebated, upon motion by Mr.. Chandler t.
refer 1t to the Committee on Foreign Relations
Mr.. Williams advocated Joint special com
mittee as necessary to an intelligent under
| staeding by Congress of the pending conflict
ing propositions. The subject by consent was
nnally lad over without action until tomor-
| row.
The latter half of the morning hour was oc
cupied by Mr.. Revels in some remarks upon
bill to aid in the repair and construction of the
Levees in Mississippi. By the improvement
| conte mplated by the bill several millions o
acres OF cotton land in the delta between Miss
issippi andYazoo rivers would be opened to cul
| tvation. The bill was referred 10 the Com.
mittee on Agriculture.
The Senate then resumed the lcousidekation
OF the resolution as amended by the House for
the appointment of a commission to San Do.
mlngo, the question being upon Mr.. Summers 8
motion to amend the House amendment, add
ing thereto that the commissioners shall in
9uire especially into the alleged pendency of
a civil war IN Dominica and the state of the
territory occupied by the opposing parties; al
so as to the relations between the existing
government of Dominica and the neiebborinc
republic of Hayti. and the pendency of any
claim, territorial or .pecuniary, by the latter
upon the former, and whether any war now
exists or is menaced between these two gov.
ernments. e
Mr.. Salisbury moved as a further amend
ment to add and providing further that Benz,
r. Curtis, Milliard Fillmore and Gen. w. i.
Sherman be commissioners.
Mr.. Stewart proceeded to make argument in
favor OF the resolution urging that the mani
Test destiny of this country demanded expan-
sion of its territory.
During his remarks Mr.. Morton stated that
Cabral had said to the United States minister
at Hayti that he was in favor of annexation as
an Independent question, but opposed to an
nexation under Baez, because it would result
in making the latter governor of the Island
and he would Cypress him (Cabral) and his ad-
herents.
MIR. Schurz in long speech indicated his
determined hostility to annexation and pro-
ceeded to review the arguments urged by its
supporters.
Mr.: Schurz continued his argument at some
length, and the debate was fully taken up and
sustained by Senators Morton, Yates. Sumner
and Wilson. Mr.. Saulsbury's amendment that
Messrs. B. R. Curtis, Millard Fillmore and
zen. sherman be appointed commissioners,
was rejected,
Mr.. Sumner offered an amendment inst net
ing the Commission TO visit Honduras, Costa
Rica, Nicaragua, Mexico and the Sandwich
Islands; aud to investigate especially the war
between San Domingo and Hayti; also that
the Commiss'on shall not begin its labors until
all naval forces shall be withdrawn from control
OF Dominican territory; and several Others cal.
caiated to practically nullify the operations of
the Commission were successively rejected.
After a little sharp controvesery between
Senators Sumner and Morton, the House
amendment providing that the appointment of
commission shall not commit Congress for or
against annexation, was then concurred in
unanimously; yeas, 81, nays, none; and the
resolution accordingly goes to the President.
Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Kelsey of New York, from the Commit
tee on Appropriations, reported the Diplomatic
and consular appropriation bill, which was
made the special order tor Friday next. The
bill approprates 81 ,458 347
Mr.. Wilson of Ohio, from the Committee on
Agriculture, reported bill TO procure and dis
seminate information as to the extent of the
cereal crops in other countries, requiring snch
lntormation TO be furnished by the United
States consals. Mr.. Wilson also reported a
bill to prevent the cruelty to animals while in
transit by railroad or other means; forbidding
cattle to be confined in railroad cars longer
than twenty eight consecutive hours without
unloading to give the cattle rest, water and
feeding for at least five consecutive hours. ex-
cept presented by contingencies.
Mr.. Elbridge of Wisconsin, questioned the
propriety and constitutioualty of the bill and
suggested that the bill should be referred to
the judiciary Committee.
The Speaker laid before the House tele-
gram from Gov. Geary of Pennsylvania an
nouncing the death at Harrisburg this morn
ing of John Covode, a representative from
Pennsylvania, and speaking of him as a good
citizen and valuable and faithful public servant
and true patriot.
The Speaker announced the following named
gentlemen as committee to attend the funeral
OF John Covode: Messrs. Mercur, Van Horn,
Phelps, Beatty, Gilfillan, Axtel, Getz and
Roots.
Mr.. Wasbburne of Wisconsin moved an
amendment appropriating $341 900 for the COM
pletion OF section Of work at Dvs hfuinrs rap
ids.
After. sharp debate the amendment was
agreed to and the bill laid aside to be reported
to the House. The committee then resumed
the legislativ i've, executive and judicial appro-
pration bill.
A resolution was adopted directing the Com
mittee on Agriculture TO inquire whether any
legislation was necessary more effectualy to
prevent or restrict introduction and distribut-
ing of diseased cattle into aud through States
and territories Adjourned