Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-01-23
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Daily Kennebec Journal.
Forty.Second Congressional Session
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SENATE.

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SENATE.
Mr.. Logan, from committee on public
lands, reported without amendment bill to
enable honorably discharged soldiers and
sailors and their widows and orphans to ac-
quire homesteads on public lands.
Mr.. Cole, from committee on appropria-
tons, reported without amendment, house
bill making good the deficiency in post office
appropriations caused by the Mccartney de-
talca;ion.
Mr.. Leads presented a petition from Mrs.
Lee, widow OF Robert Il. Lee, setting forth
that the Arlington estate was bequeathed to
her by her father in 1887, and was occupied
by herself and family till the commencement
of the war, and that 1t was sold for non-pay-
ment of direct tax of S9207, and by order
of President Lincoln bid in by, the United
Ststes for SIG; 600 no portion of which was
ever paid to the owners of said property.
The petition urges that the above named
proceedings were insufficient to pass legal
or valid title to the United States, because
the act of Congress under which said sale
was made is unconstitutional, the constitution
authorizing to exercise exclusive jurisdic
lion over such places only as they are pur
chased by the consent of the State in which
they are situated for the purpose of erecting
forts and other needful buildings. 1t is
further argued that the general government
has never attempted to exercise any excu-
sive legislation, or to call in question the
jurisdiction of Virginia over that portion Of
the country of Alexandra. Also the sale OF
the whole 100 acres to pay tax Of ninety
dollars, while the tract was clearly divldable
and the sale OF portion amply sufficient to
pay the tax upon 1t, was unconstitutional. 1t
is also asserted that the amount of this tax
was duly rendered TO the tax commissioner
before said sale. In view of these circum-
stances the petitioner asks Congress to ap-
propriate $500, 900 to purchase the estate
from her. whereupon she will give the gov
eminent clear title.
The amnesty bill was taken up as unfin-
ished business. Mr.. Edmunds had the floor,
but was unable from other engagements to
proceed with his remarks.
Mr.. Davis of Kentucky moved to lay il
aside Informally for the consideration of his
resolution of inquiry whether the President
conferred public offices in return for presents,
and was quietly of other misconduct and pro-
posed a modification thereof for inquiry o;
the expediency of Il law forbidding any per-
son in the service Of the United States to re-
ceive any gift or appoint any relative to Of
fee.
Messrs. Conkling and Morton were willing
to have the resolution taken up, but not by
Laying the amnesty bill informally aside, be-
cause that would enable any Senator to cut
OF the debate by calling for regular order.
Mr.. Sumner opposed laying the amnesty
biil aside otherwise than informally and that
Mr.. Davis ought to be allowed TO take his
reputation and make his speech in the or
binary way.
Mr.. Conk,ing said this was very extra
ordinary resolution and he desired it fully
discussed and pressed to vote.
Mr.. Davis considered the resolution ex-
traordinary, but that the subject and the oc-
casion were amply sufficient to Justify it. He
wanted to beard the lion in his den. The
office of the chief executive magistrate is satd
to be fountain of honor, but it was foun-
tain of dishonor, abuse and corruption in our
country. He wanted it purified by free,
manly, unfettered and unfaltering investiga-
ton. Within few days we have seen the
President published as a defaulter to the
amount of four OF five thousand dollars for
twenty years and driven by the denunciation
of the papers or some other cause he was
forced to make good the amount of the de-
talcation.
Mr.. Sherman suggested that Mr.. Davis
was discussing the merits of the resolution
although it was not before the Senate.
Mr.. Davis suspended his line of remark
and at the further suggestion of Mr.. Sher-
man that the question would cause a long
and exciting debate (which wouldspostpone
the amnesty bill he consented to withdraw
the resolution for the present but would again
bring it before the Senate.
The amnesty bill was taken up, the pending
ing amendment being Mr.. Summers supple
mentary civil rights bill.
| Mr.. Morton suggested to Mr.. Sumner to
strike out all relating TO church and ceme-
| terry organizations.
Mr. Robertson moved to lay the bill aside
and take up the last amnesty passed by the
| House.
| Mr.. Trumbull supported the motion ant
hoped that the Senate would pass the las,
amnesty bill without amendment, and if Mr.
| Sumner should persist in offering the civil
rights bill as an amendment he hoped tina
the Senate would declare it out of order, al
it in fact was. He also expressed the hope
that Mr.. Summers bill would never pass II
its present form.
Messrs. Conkling and Morton opposed th'
motion. ~
Mr.. Morton said that Mr.. Sumner hat
agreed to accepted the amendment suggested
by him to-day.
Mr. thurman supported III ana repeated
his opinion expressed when Mr. Sumner.
amendment was first offered, that it was un
constitutional
Mr.. Nye opposed the motion and advocated
Mr.. Summers amendment. He said thai
/ those at the South who are so anxious to be
allowed to come back to Washington and take
part in making laws, had better agree to lie
colored men ride in the same cars with them
lest otherwise they should not be allowed tC
come at all. He had heard that this civi
rights bill was unconstitutional, but if | wal
| them the constitution should be amended.
Mr.. Robertson said he intended to vote 70
Mr.. Summers bill, but thought it unwise II
tack it on to the amnesty bill.
Mr.. Thurman said he knew to much to ex
pect to make the Senator from Nevada (Nye
understand the constitutional argument, bu
for the benefit of others who were less dis
posed to ridcule the constitution, he woul
point out some particulars in which he though
this bill unconstitutional, which he did q
length.
Without action the Senate adjourned.