The Portland daily press., 1871-01-17
XLIst CONGRESs---Third Session
SENATE.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.-The Vice President
laid before the Senate a communication from
the supervising architect OF the Capitol extern
sion, asking that a place be assigned for the
statute Of the late President Lincoln, executed
by Miss Winnie Ream. Referred to the Com
mittee on Public Buildings.
Mr.. Edmunds from the Committee on PEN
sions reported favorably the House bill in.
creasing the pensions Of disabled soldiers aud
the widows and children of deceased soldiers
and sailors
Mr.. Ramsey from the Committee on POST
Offices reported with amendments the House
bill revising, consolidating and amending the
statutes relating to the Post Office Department.
The Senate resumed the House bill to re-.
lieve the political disabilities of some fifty cti-
zens of Virginia, the question being upon Mr.
Trumbul's amendment to extend general re-
lief from all such disabilities, excepting only
former Congressman and military and naval
officers of the United States who Joined the re-
bellion and members of secession State Con-
ventions.
During the discussion of Mr. Trumbulrs bill
the morning hour expired and the bill went
over.
The bill giving the State of Ohio jurisdiction
and title over the property at Dayton purchas-
ed by the U nited States for the national asy-
lum for disabled soldiers, came up and was de.
bated for several hours, by Mr.. Sherman in ia
vor and Mr.. Thurman in opposition. Mr..
Sherman explained that the bill was made
necessary by the recent decision of the Su-
preme Court of Ohio, under which some 800 OF
400 soldiers in the asylum near DAYTON, under
the laws of the State and otherwise entitled to
vote, were disfranchised as non-residents be-
cause living within one mile square ceded to
the general government to Ohio preparatory to
establishing an institution. He went on to
show that the acceptance of this land by
the general government was upon cOnd-
ton that no resident upon it, otherwise eligi-
Die, should by that change of Jurisdiction be
deprived OF his right to vote. He commented
upon the decision referred to as shock to the
feelings of every citizen Of the State, and said
that there was strong public sentiment in
Ohio that the right to vote should be restored
to to the soldiers.
MIR. Thurman def nded the decision referred
to as having been rendered uninfuenced by
demagogu ism and by an independent and in
corruptible judiciary.
After a long discussion of legal and consti-
tutional points involved Mr.. Thurman said in
reply to Mr.. Sherman's remarks that he would
prefer tie disbandment of the asylum to the
disfranchisement of the country's defenders.
Messrs. Bayard and Carpenter also spoke
against the bill, and without disposing Of the
| subject the Senate adjourned
HOUSE.
Among the bills introduced were those by
Mr. Burlington of Massachusetts,, to enable
| the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad Company to
mortgage its road; by Mr.. Starkweather OF
Connecticut, authorizing the appointment OF
the Commissioners by the President to aScer,
tain the damage done by the Alabama and
rebel cruisers; by Mr.. Kellogg of Connecticut.
granting condemned cannon for the soldiers
monument at Waterbury, Conn.
A memorial of Hugh j. Hastings, of the n
Y. Commercial Advertiser, was read to the
House, denying the authenticity of affidavit
ascribed to him, and claiming that the contro
versy was of personal character, and should
| be left to the courts.
The bill! for an air line railroad between New
| York and Washington came up from last Mon
day, the question being whether the House
would grant leave for its introduction, which
was decided in the affirmative, ia to %. The
bill was introduced but the morni rs hour hav
| ing expired it went over till Monday next.
| The credentials of Messrs. Price, Young ane
| Bethure, Representatives elest from Georgia
were presented, and no objections being made
| these gentlemen were sworn in.
After some discussion the Hastings memoria
was referred to elect committee without in
| structions.
Mr.. Long, member elect from the 4th distric
of Georgia, appeared and took the oath OF OF
| fee.