Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-12-14
Congressional Proceedings.
Washington, D. c.. Dec. 10.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Mr.. Morrill, reported bill for the purchase
Of an additional site for the Boston post office,
appropriating 100000 therefor, which
passed.t
Mr.. Spencer's credentials were presented.
resolution of inquiry was adopted, wheth-
er the valuation of a sovereign or pound ster-
ling of Great Britain, at our custom house, in
the settlement Of accounts between the two
countries, under existing laws, corresponds
with the intrinsic value of the money of the
United States. Referred to the committee on
finance, to report by bill or otherwise.
The following bills were introduced and re-
ferred:
Bill for the organization of the Territory of
Oklahoma.
| Bill to consolidate the Indian tribes.
Bill creating bureau of immigration, and
providing for the comfort and protection of
immigrants aboard ship and after landing.
The Boston relief bill was taken up.
Mr.. Ferry called for the yeas and nays up
on his amendment to except lumber from the
list of materials to be admitted free Of duty.
This exception had been made, he said in
the case of Chicago, and he wished to test the
willingness of the senate to put the East and
West on the same footing in this matter of
relief
Mr.. Wilson said that the Portland relief
bill did not except lumber, and he thought
that this one ought not.
Mr.. Sumner said that the question of pat
ting the East and West on the same basis did
not enter into this case, because the main
reason given for excepting lumber in the
Western case was the fact that the lumber
districts in Michigan had been devastated by
fire at the same tine as Chicago, which did
not exist in the case of Boston.
Mr.. Edmunds thought that all legislation OF
this character was of very doubtful propriety
He expected, however, to vote for this BILL
without seeing any very good reason why he
should not do so, but hoped that it would be
made just like the Chicago relief bill.
Mr.. Niblack argued rgainst theamendnlcnt
and in favor of relief legislation. The Chica-
go bill, he said, had saved the people of that
city millions of dollars; not directly by the
drawback granted, but by keeping down com
binations of spectators.
Mr. Thurman said that he was not satisfied
of the consttutionality of legislation of this
kind, and moved to refer the bill to the com
mittee on the judiciary. After long discus
sion the bill was so referred-yeas 3d. nays
10.
Mr.. Wilson said that he hoped the commit
tee on the judiciary would consider the bill.
and report as soon as possible, because it was
very important that the people of Boston
should know what to expect.
Mr.. Morton called up the bill to prescribe
the manner of taking testimony in contested
election cases. Passed.
At $40 p. NJ. the senate went into execu-
tive session, and soon after adjourned
House.
The house went into committee on the pri-
vate calendar and considered the bill to re-
imburse the College of William and Mary
$4,000 for property destroyed during the
rebellion.
An amendment was offered by Mr.. Shanks
of Ind, providing that no money be paid till
the college is thrown on equal terms to col
ored persons.
1t was supported by Mr.. Hoar and opposed
by NJ. Pierce, chairman of the committee on
education, as designed to kill the bill, and as
its adoption would render the college one for
colored citizens only Also opposed by Mr..
Crutcher, who said there was already within
few miles of William and Mary's a college
devoted exclusively to the education of col
ored children.
The bill was adopted-79 to II.
The committee then reported a bill to the
house, which adopted the amendme nt-o9 to
&c. The only republicans who voted against
it were Butler of Tenn, Cobb, Pierce and
Sargent. No democrats voted for it.