The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-12-11
Forty Third Congress = First Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 10.
Mr.. Sumner presented a petition of colored
citizens, asking the passage of the supplement
tai civil rights bill. Tabled.
Mr.. Fenton presented petition of the Socie-
ty of Friends. asking the appointment of a
committee to regulate the traffic in alcoholic
liquors. and asked its reference to the Finance
Committee. Mr.. Scott had a similar petition
from the Young Mems Christian Association,
asking that the sale of liquors be prohibited,
and asked that both petitions be referred to the
Judiciary Committee. He would take the re-
sponsbility.
Messrs. Frelinghuysen, Sumner, Thurman,
Conkling, Sherman, Morrill, of Maine, and 9TH
ers presented similar petitions to that of Mr..
rentun. Aifwero refcrrcd 10 the Fiuanuc0v
mittee.
Mr.. Logan presented petition for branch
mint in Chicago.
Mr.. Sherman, from the Finance Committee,
reported favorably bill to authorize the organ
Ization of national banks without circulation.
1t was placed on the calendar
Mr. Ferry of Michigan, introduced bill au-
thorizing the issue of the forty-four million re-
serve fund and to make it part of the permanent
circulation. The bill is designed for the imme
diate relief in the present strngency, and TO re-
store confidence and business activity to the
country, being part of the remedy of that
gentleman for the monetary arrangement. Re-
ferred to the Finance Committee.
Bills presented and referred: For the relief
of contractors on war vessels and machinery;
for relief of Norman Wizard; for the free trans
portation of newspapers.
A bill was passed allowing tow boats to car
ry 100 pounds of steam.
The House bill granting general amnesty was
read.
Mr.. Sumner objected to a second reading of
the bill to-day, not because he was opposed to
general amnesty but before it became law he
desired to secure to his cOlored fellow citizens
their rights.
Mr. Summer offarod a resolution which VOC
agreed to, directing the Committee on Post Of
fees to consider the expedency of providing
further convenience in the correspondence
known as "letter writer" with one cent
stamp, being a new article of stationery adopt
ed for a letter circular and newspaper wrapper
Mr.. Morton introduced a bill providing that
any national banking association deciding to
reduce its capital as provided in section Is OF
the national currency act, shall be entitled to
take up pro rata portion of its bonds upon
depositing lawful money of the United States
or returning its own circulating notes in the
proportion required by law. Referred to the
Finance Committee
Mr.. Sherman, from the Finance Committee
reported resolution declaring it the duty Of
Congress during the present session to adopt
measures to strengthen the public credit and
directing said committee to report at an early
day bill providing for the issue of currency
at all times redeemable in gold or its equiva-
lent.
nority Of the committee directing the Finance
Committee to report measures at an early day
for return to specie payment.
After debate the resolution was made the
special order for Monday next
MIR. Hamilton submitted an amendment to
the Constitution, declaring that the United
States should make nothing but gold and silver
coin legal tender for the payment of public and
private debts.
At LIS o'clock the Senate went into execu-
tive session. At 2 o'clock adjourned
HOUSE
Mr.. Phillips of Kansas, asked leave to offer
resolution, r9citing the fact that a state of
war has existed for some years iu the island of
Cuba; that under the excitement the Virginius
has been seized, the American flag hauled
down, and large number of those on hoard
cruelty massacred; declaring that in the mas
sacre Congress recognized acts of barbarism
unworthy of civilization; that the United
States should use means to repress and check
UGH cruel acts; that Congress reaffirms the
doctrine that the occupants of any portion of
the American continent or islands thereof,
are the proper rulers of the country they occu
Ply; that it is the duty of the United States,
whenever the people of Cuba or any other pOr-
ton OF the American continent indicate their
desire to throw off their yoke, promptly to re-
ctgnize and sympathze with them; that in
view of recent events humanity dictates the
early recognition of Cuban independence that
to countenance slavery in Cuba is inconsistent
with and injurious to the civilization of the
continent, and it is the duty of the United
States to exert all means for its speedy over
throw; that alls violations of our maratime
rights or dsrespect to the American flag should
be promptly met.
Mr.. Orth of Ind, objected to its reception I'M
less the author would have it referred
Mr.. Phillips consented a nd it was referred to
the Committee on Foreign affairs.
Mr. Orth, from the Committee ON Foreign
Affairs, reported joint resolution to change
the name of Agent and Consul General of the
United States at Alexandra, Egypt, to that of
Agent and Consul General of the United States
at Cairo. Adopted.
Mr. Dawes of Mass, offered resolution di-
rec ting the Postmaster General to inform the
House whether any customs officer or detectives
have been allowed to examine correspondence
passing through the New York or Boston post
offices, and whether any such officials have op
ened or otherwise tempered with such cores
pondence for the purpose of ascertainng wheth-
er the revenue laws have been violated, or for
any other purpose, and to report all the facts to
the House, Adopted.
and Means, reported resolution directing the
Secretary of the Treasury to report the cost
of refunding the public debt thus far into five
per cent. bonds, with detailed statement of
the amounts paid on account and to whom
paid, including the travelling and other ex-
penses of any persons attached to the Treasury
Department; also whether in the adjustment of
the differences OF interest, the government re-
ceived its proper allowance, with a detailed
statement OF the interest account giving the
amounts, dates and names of parties with and
! trough whom the negotiations were made.
Adopted.
M. Maynard introduced bill to authorize
the organization of national banks without
circulation. Referred to the Banking Commit
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