The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-07-20
Congressional Proceedings.

passed the House bill providing for the col.
lection of duties on imports at the ports Of
seeded States, by ayes 35, nays t. Messrs.
Bayari, Of Del, and peaicc, Of Nd, voted
for the bill.
In the House, n sharp debate enSucd he.
tween Mcssrs. Mcknight, of Penn and VAL
landigham, of Ohio, upon resolution Of the
latter questioning the qualification of certain
members holding commissions undo, the
United States. Several appropriation bills
for the legislative, executive and judicial
expenses Of the Government ware pa sscd. -
Considerable time was spent in the discussion
ofthc bill reported from the Committee on
Military Affairs During the discussion the
House manifested high war spirit very
decidedly rejecting proposition to appoint
Commissioners TO accompany the army and
receive any offer Of the Confederate States to
return to their allegiance. Without coming
adjourned.
SATURDAY. In the Senate, Hon. Andy
johnson, Of Tenn, presented the credentials
of Senators eject f,om Virginia: w. b. Wiley
in the place Of Mr. Mason, and John L.
Carlile in the place of Mr.. Hunter. Mr..
johnson said he looked upon 1t as favorable
omen - the return of the Old Dominion to this
body. The admission of the new Senators to
tats was objected to by M,sSrs. Bayard and
salisbury, Of Del; but after lengthy debate.
the new members were admitted by vote of
IS to 5; the Maryland Senators being absent
In the House, Mr.. Blair offered resolution
expcliing Mr. Clark, of Missouri, for having
taken up arms against the Government of the
United States, and he was accordingly eX-
PEELED by vote Of Of ayes Ito IS nays. "A
bill for the relief of the soldiers wounded in the
defense of Fort Sumter was taken up and
passed.
MONDAY. MIR. J. W. Porney. of the Phil
adcl phia Press, was elected Secretary of the
Senate. The Senate passed the House bill
providing for the support of the Army. and
also the National Loan bill.
In the House, Mr.. Eliot from the Com-
mite on Coms">.'He, reported the following
Resolucd That the Secretary Of the Treas.
ury be requested to employ Immediately a
sufficient force to protect our commerce from
the pirates who now infcst our seas.
The resolution was passed.
Mr. Hickman, of Penn, introduced, and
asked to have put upon its passage. a bill to
define and punish certain conspracics.
The bill provides, in substance that if
two or more persons shall conspire to over.
throw or to levy war against the Government;
or shall oppose by force or prevent by him
drance the enforcement of any law of the
United States; or who shall seize by force
the property of the United States or who
shall prevent by force or intimidation any
person from accepting any place of trust
under the authority Of the United States.
sla III be deemed guilty of high crime, and
upon conviction be punished with fine of
not less than $500 nor more than IS 900 or
by imprisonment COR not less than months
nor more than e years; or by both fine aud
imprisonment
The bill was passed by vote of 1913 ayes
to nays.
Mr.. McClernand, Of Illinois, offered a
resolution pledging the House to vote for any
number Of men and for arg amount OF money
necessary for the suppression of the rebellion.
The resolution was adopted by ayes l2l,
nays S. Two members from kentucky, two
from Missouri, and one from New York
voting in the negative. No further business
of importance was transacted on Monday.
TUEsDAY.--In the Senate, Mr. Breckin
ridge, of Kentucky, made a speech against
the bill approving the acts Of the President,
i'll which he SAID great deal against the
violations of the Constitution, and usurpa-
tons by the President. but not word in
condemnation Of Secession and Secessionis,s
Little of interest transpircd in the House
this day. A bill to increase the efficiency of
the volunteer force was passed and the House
adjourned.
WEDNEsDAr.-1n the Senate, bill au-
thorzing the temporary increase of the Navy,
and appropriating 100000 therefor, was
reported from the Naval Committee, and
Immediately passed. The resolution-of the
House to adjourn on Friday was taken up,
but again laid on the table After the con-
sideratiou of various other matters, the
Senate went into executive session.
The Tariff Act was before the House, and
the discussion which occurred upon i. develop.
cd determined opposition to the duty on su.
gar and on coffee. A proposition to reduce the
duty on the latter article from five to three
cents per pound was, after spirited debate
in Committee of the Whole, adopted by a
test vote of ayes G4. nays 6l The House
adjourned immediately upon the announce.
mcnt Of the vote. The Hon. Henry May
appeared and was sworn in, but took no part
in the proceedings of the day.
THURSDAY. -Secretary Forncy called the
Senate to order; he stated that he had received
a note from the Vice President, in which he
| said he would be absent for the rest of the
session.
On motion OF Mr.. Pearce, Mr.. Foot was
chosen president pro iempore.
In the House long and somewhat angry
discussion occurred between Mr. May, mem.
Der from Baltimore, and several other mem.
bers, respecting the formers Peace mission
to Richmond, in which Mr.. May attempted
to defend Marshal Kane and others of the
Baltimore secessonists, pretty effectually
proving himself to be sympathizer with