The Portland daily press., 1876-06-02
Forty Fourth Congress-First Session.
SENATE.


WASHINGTON, D. c., June l.
Mr.. Allison from the Committee ONT Pensions,
reported favorably the bill granting pension
to Catharine A. Winslow, widow of the late
Rear Admiral John A. Winslow. Passed.
The Senate bill for the relief of Charles B.
Varnsy of Portland, Me-, passed.
The Senate bill to provide for the sale of the
reservation of confederated Otoe and Missouri
Indians in Kansas and Nebraska passed.
Impeachment business followed, and after an
executive session Mr.. Morrill, of Maine, called
up the legislative, judicial and executive ap-
preparation bill, with the understanding that it
should be unfinished business and come up for
consideration at the expiration of the morning
hour tomorrow.
Senate then proceeded to consider bills on the
calendar not objected to, and several private
bills passed. Adjourned.
Mr.. Durham, from the Committee on Re-
vision of the Laws, called up the bill perfecting
the revision of the statutes of the United
States which was passed. --
House proceeded to consider the bill to pro-
mote the efficiency of the army, to provide for
its gradual reduction and to consolidate certain
of the staff departments.
Mr.. Small offered an amendment providing
that in the enlistment of men in the army or
merging of enlisted men into other organiza-
tions no distinction be made on account of
race or color. tit sA 3t W i9a
Mr.. Randall objected 4 s r
Mr.. Macky moved to amend by striking out
the section which provides for the repeating of
the law which requires that enlisted men of
certain regiments shall be colored men.
Mr.. O'Brien objected. rs.,r .-
Mr.. Macky said that as his amendment was
objected to the practical effect of the bill would
be to discontinue the enlistment of colored
men in the army until another war broke out.
1t was an indirect way of getting rid of the
colored troops.
Mr.. Hurlbut offered a substitute for the hill
directing the President to appoint commits
sion of seven officers of the army of dis.ln-
guished service and knowledge who shall re-
port to the President their opinion of the best
method of recognizing the army, and especially
on the best method of recognizing the staff
department with q view to economy and eff
cheney. Rejected-yeas S8, nays ia.
Bill passed-120 to so.
House proceeded to consider the bill to amend
title 80 of Revised Statutes relating to mer-
chant seamen. It provides for the appointment
by the Secretary of the Treasury of a commits
sioner to be known a shipping commissioner
for every port OF entry which is also a port of
Mr.. Ward of New York explained the bill
and said it was in the interest of both seamen
and shipowners. ~ -.-
Mr.. Seelye opposed the part of the bill which
takes away the appointment of the commits
sioners from circuit judges and places it with
recommit the bill.
The motion was defeated and the bill was
passed. i5s.-sf r....
Mr.. Thompson offered resolution calling on
the Secretary of-State for copies of correspon-
dence between the state department and
of lands and property in New Zealand claimed
by VIM. Webster to have been brought from
native chiefs previous to the possession of Ire
land by the British. Adopted. Adjourned.