The Portland daily press., 1872-02-13
LXIID CONGRESs..SECOND SESSION.
SENATE.

sen ALE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 12-Several petitions for
reform in appointments, etc, were presented
Nh. Wilson introduced bill placing colored
soldiers on the same footing as the whites as to
Dounties and pension
Mr. Wilson introduced a resolution instruct
ing the Foreign Committee to consider the ex-
pediency of passing a Joint resolution authoriz-
ing the President to communicate to the gov
eminent of Spain the protest of the United
States against the action of the authorities of
Cuba towards the Chinese laborers in that is
land. Adopted. -
MIR. Sumner offered long preamble setting
forth the alleged manufacture and sale of arms
and ammunition in the workshops of the United
States government, for France to be used
against Germany in 1870, and resolution for
the appointment of select committee of seven
to investigate all the sales of ordnance and
stores made by the government of the United
States during the war between France and
Germany; to ascertain the persons to whom
made, the circumstances uuder which made, the
real parties in interest and the sums respective
~ paid and received by them; the committee to
have the power to send for persons and papers
to conduct the examination in public.
The resolution went over till tomorrow.
The motion to reconsider the vote by which
the Chicago relief bill was passed, was discess-
ed and carried, yeas %, nays %.
The Senate took up the bill for the disposition
OF fines, penalties and forfeitures, and then adj
journed.
HOUSE.
The following bills were introduced and re-
ferred: By Mr.. Dawes of Massachusetts, for
the revival of commerce by the construction of
nfteen first class steamships, not less than 5000
tons each, to connect ports of the United States
with foreign ports, and to secure to the govern
ment the use of the same for postal, naval and
other purposes; by Mr.. Starkweather of Con-
nectlcut, for the Improvement of Stoneham har-
Dor, Connecticut.
Mr.. Kelley of Pennsylvania, introduced the
following, which was adopted
Whereas, it is expedient to facilitate the re-
production here of foreign works of higher
character than that of those generally reprint
ed IN this country; and
Whereas, it is in like manner desirable to ia
cilitate the reproduction abroad of works of our
authors; and sz
Whereas, grant of the monopoly of the
privileges in the case of such reproductions here
or elsewhere must tend greatly to increase the
cost Of books, to limit their circulation and to
decrease the dissemination of knowledge; there
fore,
Resolred, That the Joint Committee on Lii
brary be and is hereby instructed to inquire into
the practicability of the arrangements by means
OF which such reproduction, both here and
abroad be facilitated and freed from the great
disadvantages that must inevitably result from
the grant OF monopoly privileges, such as are
now claimed in behalf of foreign authors and
domestic publishers
Mr.. Hay of Illinois, introduced resolution
instructing the Ways and Means Committee to
inquire into the expediency of legislation to ia
cilitate free expectation of spirits and whiskey
by manufacturers in this country Adopted.
Mr.. Perry introduced resolution that Con-
gress should not close the session until it had
matured and enacted the law enforcing the re-
form of the civil service. The resolution went
over l1.
Mr.. Wood, from the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, reported bill relating to Geographic
communication between the United States and
foreign countries. Recommitted t'
Mr.. Stevenson of Ohio, moved to suspend the
rules and adopt resolution recognizing as valid
and binding, all existing laws for the enforce
ment of the 18th, 14th and 18th amendments
to the Constitution, and for the protection of
citizens in their rights under the Constitution
as amended. The motion to suspend the rules.
and adopt the resolution was rejected-yeas 105,
nays IS; less than two-thrds in the affirmative.
Mr.. Mercer of Pennsylvania, moved to sus-
pend the rules and adopt resolution instruct
ing the Committee on Ways and Means to re-
port bill repeating all import duties on tea
and coffee. -iG
Mr.. Dawes of Massachusetts, suggested that
the subject be referred to the Committee on
Ways and Means without instructions, but Mr..
Mercer preferred square vote on the resolu-
ton.
Mr.. Brooks of New York, suggested the ad-
dition of iron and steel to tea and Coffee but
the Speaker decided the motion to suspend the
rules not amendable The motion to suspend
the ru les and adopt the resolution was adopted
yeas 140, nays 81. serr
Mr. Brooks of New York, presented a memo
rial from the New York Chamber of Commerce
for relief of the shipping interests, and suggest
ed as a measure OF partial relief the permitting
of ships stores to be taken in bond as well as
raw material for ship building; also the suspen-
sion for two years of the law against register
ing foreign built vessels. 1 .is
Mr. Hoar of Massachusetts, offered resolu-
ton calling for information as the manufacture
of fire arms at the Springfield Armory; also as
to the difference between the eight and ten hour
system. Adopted.
Mr. Banks of Massachusetts, offered a reso-
luton linstructing the Pacific Railroad Commit
tee to investigate and report the condition of
the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, with
power to send for persons and papers. Adopt
ed sktisS ~
Mr. Butler of Massachusetts, moved to sus-
pend the rules and adopt resolution calling on
the President for such information as he may
have of any intention or design ON the part of
the British government to withdraw from or
impede its execution any provision of the Treaty
of Washington, and especially the hearing be-
fore the tribunal of arbitration at Geneva.
Mr. Banks, chairman of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, was satisfied the President had
no information of that character from the Brit
ish government.
Mr. Butler-If not, let us ascertain that fact.
The motion to suspend the rules and adopt the
resolution was rejected-62 to SO, and the House
refused to order the yeas and nays only nine
members voting for it.
Mr.. Conger of Michigan introduced a bill for
the reorganization of the Treasury Depart
ment. -,rN
Mr. Kelley of Pennsylvania, presented the
petition of several advocates of woman suffrage,
asking that they may be heard in the House
next Saturday Lost-S5 yeas to SO nays. THE
part of the Maine delegation voting, Messrs.
Frye, Hale and Peters voted against granting
the prayer.]
Mr. Shanks of Indiana, moved to suspend the
rules and adopt resolution requesting the
President open friendly correspondence and ne
gotiations with other civilized nations with
view to an information rule that its captives in
war shall not be retained as personal prisoners,
but be returned under flags of truce and under
parole until properly exchanged A
Pending the vote the House at 8 O clock ad-
journed.