The Portland daily press., 1872-12-11
XLIID CONGRESS.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dee. 10.

WASHINGTON, Dee 10.
ntYeral petitions were presented relative to
french spoliations
A bill prohibiting the impor. alton and sale OF
liquors in the District of Columbia was report
ed from the Finance Committee with a motion
To refer il to the judiciary Committee but af-
ter debate was referred back to the Finance
Committee
bill authorizing the Secretary of the Tras-
ury to issue coupon bonds in exchange for reg
lstered bonds. was reported from the Finance
Comm ttee
bin authorizing the President to release
Japan from the payment Of the indemnity and
interest due the United States under the con-
Cehtion OF 1864, was reported from the Foreign
Committee
Mr.. Anthony introduced bill to amend the
bonded transportation law of July 14th, 1870 so
as 60 provide that the owner, agent or consignee
OF merchandise may swear to his entry before
tle Collector, at the point of destination instead
OF being required to do so at the port of arrival
referred to the Committee on Finance
MI Cole offered a resolution directing the
9uaiciary Committee to enquire iuto the expe-
.aleney OF 50 amending the constitution as to
pfoVide Tor the election of President ami Vice
PRESIDENT and United States Senators by di-
rect vote of the people,
ME- sherman, from the Committee Gu FL
nance, reported the House bill for the relief of
the sufferers by the Boston fire, and stated that
the committee was equally divided on the SUBJ
Ject. The bill was placed on the calender.
Inc calender was taken up and most of the
Oils upon it were passed over
Inc Dill relating to the execution and other
hnal processes in the United States Court, was
lnai,eshntely postponed
Inc wee President announced the appoint
nent OF Mi. Stevenson as member of Board
OF regents of Smithsonian Institute in place
OF Mr. Davis, deceased.
Inc Dill providing for the removal OF the
Sunken wreck obstructing the channel off San
dy Hook, was passed.
>. AT three o'clock the Senate went into execu-
tive session and soon adjourned.
HOUSE
Inc following. bills were introduced and re-
ferred:
Authorizing collectors to grant special or
der tor unloading steamships at night: estab-
fishing new scale of fees and salaries Of Gus
toms officers; repeating the bankruptcy act;
repeating the special tax on retailers of leaf to-
Dacco; repeating the enforcement act abolish
ing stamp duty on bank checks, ETC.
The House took up the bill reported last SEES
sion from the Military Committee, to enable
honorably discharged soldiers and sailors to
acquire homesteads upon the public lands, with
authority to assign certificates and to locate
their quarter section of the lands through
agents or attorneys.
Mr.. Hawley of Illinois, opposed the bill,
claiming that the soldiers and sailors were sat
isfied with the existing land laws
Considerable debate ensued on the merits of
the bill, until the expiration of the morning
hour
THE House then went into Committee of The
Whole, and took up the Indian appropriation
bill and Mr. Sargent of Cal, explained its pro-
visions.
The Indian bill was then considered by sec
lions. After progressing about half through it
the committee rose and the House adjourned