The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-01-19
Forty Fourth COngress-First Session.
SENATE.

n TGpOrb was ItCSlVeu IIOUl Inc NOmnlS-
sioner of Indian Affairs in regard to the books
kept by the Indian agents. Ordered printed.
Mr. Thurman presented the credentials of
James b. Eustis, claiming seat in the Senate
as Senator from Louisiana, which he sent to
the clerks desk and had read. The document
consisted of lengthy extracts of the proceedings
OF the Louisiana Legislature, and before the
reading was finished, Mr.. Conkling inquired
who certified to these papers.
Mr. Thurman replied that the papers were
volumlnouS, and it was not necessary to read
them. They were certified to by the Speaker
and Clerk of the Louisiana House of Represen-
tatives, and the Senator who presided at the
joint meeting.
Mr.. Conkng said the act of Congress stated
that the credentials Of one claiming seat in
this body must be certified by the Governor of
the State, and argued that the papers just pre-
scented should not be read as credentia IS in the
Senate.
Mr. Morton asked that the matter be laid
over until tomorrow.
Mr.. Thurman said the papers showed the
title of Mr.. Eustis to the seat He did not ask
to have him sworn in then, but asked to have
his case referred to the Committee on Elec-
tions.
Mr. Conklng argued that the papers were
irregular and papers upon which the Senate
could not act
Mr.. Thurman denied that the papers were
irregular unless it was the absence of the Gov
ernor's certificate, and that was not an irregu-
larity. The act of Congress had been strictly
complied with in the election of Mr.. Eustis.
The whole question before the Senate would
turn upon whether or not the vacancy existed
| in the Louisiana Senatorship If the Senate
should decide that Pinchback was entitled to a
seat, there would be an end of these papers,
but if Pinchback was not entitled to the seat,
the claim of Eustis must be considered.
Mr.. Sherman suggested that the papers be
| printed in the records as if they had been read
| in the Senate and the matter be laid over until
| tomorrow so that the Senate could go on with
the morning business now.
This suggestion was agreed to.
Mr.. Boutwell, presented the petition of the
publisher of the New England Farmer and
others in reference to the postage on news
papers. Referred to the Committee on Post
Offices
The Chair laid before the Senate the memo
rial of the Democratic conservative conven-
| ton of Louisiana held JAM 9th, 1876, concern.
ing tho elections aud tho condition of HUuis-
| lana. Referred TO the Committee on Elections.
Mr.. Dorsey submitted resolution instruct
| ing the Committee on Postofices and Post
roads to inquire and report whether the restor-
alton of the Thanking privilege would increase
| the cost of the mail service, and to what ex-
tent and if it is expedient 10 restore the same.
| Agreed TO.
The Chair submitted report from the Com
| missioners of the Freedmen's Savings and
Trust Co. in answer to the resolution calling
| for the some. Ordered to be printed and to
| lie on the table.
Mr.. Edmunds submitted resolution request
| ing the President to communicate if not in
compatible with public interest copies of any
| correspondence had under his authority with
| other governments in regard to tbs Centennial
Exhibition. Agreed to.
Mr.. Cragin called up the Senate bill to Sc
| cure the attendance and payment of witnesses
before the military courts and submitted an
amendment giving to every court martial the
| same power TO punish witness for refusing to
testify. as that now held by the courts of the
United States, providing that the action of
| such court martial shall be subject to revsio n
| or writ of habeas corpus by circuit or district
| court of the United States.
| Mr.. Whyte of Maryland said the amend
| ment should 60 to some committee for eXamn-
| alton. Under the present law the court mar
| tial had power to commit a witness who was
| in service for time not exceeding two months.
Mr.. Cragin said that his amendment applied
| to civilians only.
Mr.. Whyte said that he would not give
court martial power over civilian that it had
| over one in the military or naval service. He
moved to amend the amendment so that no
| Imprisonment imposed on such civilian for con-
| tempt shall continue for more than two
| months.
After some discussion be modified the
amendment SO as to provide that such impris-
o0ment shall not be for longer time than that
| imposed on a soldier or sailor for the same
offence.
Amendment as amended by Whyte was
agreed to and bill as amended was passed.
Mr.. Whyte of Maryland presented petition of
w. E. Wysham of Baltimore county, Nd, for
the removal of his political disabilities. Re-
| ferred to Judiciary Committee
Mr.. Withers of Virginia presented petition
of d. B. Conrad aud Samuel Cooper of Vir-
ginia for removal of their political disabilities.
Referred to Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. COnkling o. New York presented me-
mortal of creditors of the Columbian Insurance
Go. of New York praying for the repeal of the
clause which excludes insurance companies
from a share of the Geneva award. Referred
to the Committee on Judiciary.
In presenting the memorial Mr.. Conkling
said it was signed by large number of citi-
zens of New York and Massachusetts, who
were stockholders in that company during the
late war. Extensive risks were taken and
large payments were made on account of YES
sells destroyed by the Shenandoah, Alabama
and other cruisers. Over 5000, 900 were paid in
consequence of such losses and in consequence
thereof the company failed.
Mr. Mitchell of Oregon, from the Railroad
Committee, reported without amendment the
Senate bill extending the time for the compile
ton of the Oregon Central Railroad and tele-
graph line from Portland to Astoria and Nc
Manville in the state of Oregon.
The calendar CT the morning hour having ex-
pired the Senate resumed the consideration of
resolution submitted by Mr.. Davis of West
Virginia on Wednesday. to appoint special
committee to investigate the books and ac-
counts of the Treasury Department.
Mr.. Boutwell, said he was not opposed to the
investigation asked for but thought Mr.. Davis
might have found an explanation of many of
the supposed discrepancies by inquring at the
Treasury. He then went into an elaborate ex-
PLANTATION of some of the statments made by
Mr.. Davis.
At the conclusion of his speech, pending dis
oussion the Senate went into executive session
and soon after adjourned.
HOUSE
Mr. Knott, from the Judiciary Committee,
proposed an amendment to the constitution as
follows:
No person who has held or may hereafter
hold the Office of President shall ever again
be eligible to said office.
1t was made special order for Tuesday
next
Mr. Frye of Maine, on behalf of the minor
ity of the committee, gave notice that he would
offer substitute.
Mr. Ashe of N. c., from the same committee,
reported a bill to amend the revised statues in
relation to naturalization. 1t provides that the
declaration of intention to become citizen of
the United States may be made before clerk
of the court, and such declarations heretofore
made are declared legal and valid. He ex-
planned that the object of the bill was simply
to restore the law to what it was before the
printing of the revised statues, in which thd
word s'cerk'' had been accdently omttee
The bill was passed.
Mr. Ashe also reported bill to amend sec.
ton l069 relating to the clause tor abandoned
property. 1t authorizes the Court of Claims to
take jurisdiction of claims of all persons who
were infants, married women, idiots, lunatics,
insane persons, or who were beyond the seas at
the time of the seizure of any abandoned or
captured property, providing such claims are al
ready on fi.e or shall be on file within two
years.
Mr.. Lawrence of Ohio, made the point of
order that the bill must first be considered in
Committee of the Whole.
The point was sustained and the bill was re-
| ferred to the Committee of the Whole
Mr.. Frye Of Maine, reported bill to exten d
| for three months the time for claimants before
| the Alabama claims committee to prove their
| claims. He explained that the bill did not ex-
| tend jurisdiction over any new matter, but that
it was necessary in the case.of some few sailors
on the Pacific coast, some whalemen of the
Massachusetts coast, and perhaps few others,
who through ignorance of the law or on account
of absence from home had failed to file their
claims. They were of the poorer class and
| their claims did not amount to over 100000
Mr.. Morey of La, desired to offer an amend
ment repeating that portion of the law which
restricts the right to present claims to persons
| who have borne true allegiance to the United
| States during tie late rebellion, but Mr.. Frye
| declined to admit it.
The bill was then passed.