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

The credentials of Mr. Morton of Ind, re-
elected, were presented
a bill from the Military Committee was pre-
sented, refunding the interest on war funds,
borrowed by the States during the rebellion.
A resolution was adopted that the Commit
tee on Commerce enquire into the expediencey
of an appropriation for the harbor in Portland,
Maine
appointed, to whom shall be referred the por-
ton of the Presidents message relating to
transportation routes from the West to the At
lantic seaboard, was laid over.
A bill was introduced that after next June
twenty per cont. of the customs duties MAJ be
paid in United States notes, and twenty per
cent. additional each year thereafter till 1877,
when they may be paid either in gold or notes.
Mr. Anthony introduced bill providing for
free transportation from Rome of q sailors
monument.
In accordance with resolution adopted last
week, the Senate at the end of the morning
hour proceeded to consider the bills ON the cal
eGdar
The report of the Committee on conference
on the bill regulating the construction of bridges
across the Ohio river was agreed to, and the
House having agreed to it at the last session
the bill was passed.
MI. Summers joint resolution proposing an
amendment to the Constitution, combining the
President to one term, was referred to the Jul
dietary Committee.
Mr. Cameron moved that the French spola-
ton bill be made special order for Monday
next.
Mr. shermp said he was opposed to the
bill and opposed to special orders, and called
for division.
Mr. Cameron withdrew the motion and NOV
ed to postpone the bill till Monday next
Agreed to.
Mr. Pomeroy moved to postpone indefinitely
the bill to extend the time for the construction
of the Kansas, Topeka and Sante Fe railroad,
saying the road had already progressed SO far
that it would be finished within the prescribed
time.
At 2.55 o clock the Senate went into execu-
tive session and soon after adjourned.
HOUSE
Several bills were introduced, including one
for life stations on the coasts of Maine and New
Hampshire.
A resolution was introduced proposing an
amendment to the Constitution authorizing
Congress to fix a uniform time for holding State
elections
Resolutions of the Vermont Legislature were
presented favoring Civil Service Reform and
the abolition of the franking privilege.
Mr.. Banks of Massachusetts, offered resolu-
tions fixing the salary of the President at $780,
600 per annum, commencing March, 1873, and
that the term of office of the President be six
years, the President to be ineligible for re-elec-
ton and that the President and Vice President
be elected by the people at the same time that
congressman are elected
Bills were introduced providing for the safety
of bonds; to reduce taxes; repeating the usury.
section of the currency act; amending postal
acts; providing for the collection of statistics
of inland and coastwise trade between States
also for making Improvements in New Haven,
Norwalk and Bridgeport harbors. ~
Mr.. Butler of Massachusetts offered bill re-
hitting the duties on certain goods destroyed
by the Boston fire; also refunding the amount
of discriminating duties paid by importers I'M
der the proclamation of Oct. 80, 1872, on mer-
chandise actuallysahoat in French vessels from
other than French ports at the date of that
proclamation.
Several other bills were introduced including
one repeating the iron clad oath.
The following bills were introduced: propos-
ing an amendm. MT to the Constitution, so as
to provide for the election of President and
Vice President by direct vote of the people;
for the repeal of tina test oath; creating COM
mission to adjudge the compensation Of the
several claimants for damages for depredations
by rebel cruisers, to be discharged out of the in
demnity fund awarded by the tribunal of ar.
bitration at Geneva,t to be paid by Great Britain
to the United States; extending for four yeals
the southern claims commission; repeating the
stamp taxes under schedule CO.
Mr.. Hooper's supplemental civil rights bill
from last session WAS referred to the Committee
on Revision of the laws, the House having re-
fused to table it.
The adjournment from Dec. 20 to jan was
agreed to on Mr.. Dawes motion.
Mr.. Hooper of Massachusetts introduced and
asked to have put upon its passage bill that
at the late great fire in Boston the safe of the
sub-treardry, containing $13000,000 of public
property, was saved from destruction by the
heroic exertions of the firemen, and appropriate
ing $4,000 to the firemen's fund established by
the firemen of Boston to aid the families of
firemen who lost their lives ia the conf1agration.
The bill was explained and advocated by Messrs
Hooper and Butler, and criticised by Mr.. Kerr
and other members, as proposing to establish
very dangerous precedent. The bill was further
advocated and defended by Messrs Cox, Bing-
ham, Hoar and Banks, the latter declaiming
that it was based upon the principle of univer-
sal application, that of rewarding persons for
service to the United States.
Mr.. Lynch, of Maine, inquired the character
of the property saved in the safe
Mr.. Hooper, of Massachusetts, replied that
100000 of the amount consisted of money,
partly in coin and partly notes.
Mr.. Lynch remarked that it consisted proba-
bly, of United States bonds and notes which
were worth just 80 much paper If there was
any coin in the safe it would not have been de-
strOyed as the safe was in vault which could
not be destroyed by fire.
Mr.. Garfield, of Ohio, argued that the bill
should be referred to committee.
Mr.. Hooper moved to suspend the rules and
pass the bill Negatived
The bill was then referred to the Committee
on Appropriations, with leave to report at any
time.
The Secretary of the Treasury was, on motion
of Mr.. Kelley of Pa, asked for statement of
the tonnage employed in the home trade of the
United States, discriminating between steam
and sailing vessels, and between iron and wood
en- vessels.
Mr.. Garfield, of Ohio, reported from the Com
mittee on Appropriations a bill authorizing the
employment OF keepers and crews of surf boats
on the coasts OF Cape Cod and Block Island.
Passed
Mr.. Lynch, OF Me- reported bill from the
Committee ON Commerce, appropriating $4,000
for the removal of sthe suuken wreck in the
channel way of Sandy Hook. Passed with an
amendment holding the owners or charterers or
insurers responsible for the cost of removal
Mr.. Bingham, of Ohio, from the Judiciary
Committee, reported bill removing the politi-
cal disabilities Of l.. @. q. Lamar of Mississippi
pi. Passed.
Mr.. Acker, of Pa, moved to suspend the rules
and pass bill removing all political disabili-
ties, and extending general amnesty Mega
tived. Yeas 102, nays 81. Less than The neces-
sary two-thrds in the affirmative.
The Senate bill authorizing the Mobile and
Ohio r. r. Co. to construct and operate the
bridges across the Mobile river and other nav
igable streams tributary to Mobile Bay, was
passed.
The Speaker announced the appointment of
the select committee to the Centennial celebra-
ton as follows: Messrs. Kelley of Pa, Dawes
of Mass, Maynard of Tenn, Sargent of CAL,
Hawley of Conn, Ravens of Mo, Cox of n.
Y, Marshall of ILL.,, and Hancock Of Texas.
The House at 8. 10 o'clock adjourned.
Sudden NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. arism.
DDo nno Lob