The Portland daily press., 1862-12-05
BY TELEGRAPH
TO THE
Portland Daily Press.
XXXVII O0NGRESs.---seOond Session.
SENATE.
TO THE

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.
Mr. Hale offered a resolution that the Naval
Committee inquire into the expediency of pro-
viding by law that appointments in the volun-
teer naval service be submitted TO the Senate
for confirmation. Agreed to.
Mr. Wright offered resolution that the
Military committee be instructed TO inquire
into the propriety of reporting bill requiring
all soldiers hereafter discharged to be dis
charged within the limits of their own State.
Adopted.
Mr.. Pomroy offered joint resolution refer
ring so much of the Presidents message as
relates to compensation Tor emancipation, to
select committee of three of the Senate and
Ave of the House. Laid over.
Mr.. Clark offered Joint resolution, APPROX
ing the policy of the President of setting the
slaves free in insurrectionary districts. Order
ed to be printed.
Mr.. Hale introduced bill repeating the act
to establish and equalze the grades of line
officers in the army. Referred.
Mr.. Sherman offered a resolution requesting
the President, il compatible with public inter-
ests, 10 communicate TO the Senate all corre-
spondence, kilograms, letters and reports con-
cerning military operations of the army of the
Potomac, and all correspondence and letters,
kilograms and reports relating to the surrender
Of Harper's Ferry, and the testimony taken
before the investigating committee upon such
surrender.
Mr.. Ten Eyck announced the death of Mr.
Thompson of New Jersey, and offered the
customary resolutions.
Messrs Latham, Field, Rice and Anthony
also delivered brief eulogies.
Adjourned.
Mr. Van Wyck of n. Y, gave notice that he
should introduce bill to reduce the tax on
hemlock leather.
Mr.. Aldrich of MIMI, introduced bill to
grant the proceeds of the sales of public lands
to aid the construction of the Northern d
Pacific Railroad. Referred to the select COM
mittee on that subject.
Mr.. Wicklitfe of KY, offered a resolution
that the Committee on the Judiciary inquire
and report under what law there has been APP
pointed Military Governor for the District of
Columbia; what power does he possess, and
under what law is il derived; what is his sala-
ry, and under what appropriation; what is the
entire annual expenses of said governor in
cluding all sums paid for guard houses, house
rent ETC.; whether said officer has interlered
with or obstructed the administration of JUS
tice by civil or judicial tribunals, and report
the facts of such distractions.
Mr.. Wicklifie moved the previous question,
which was not seconded-32 against 62.
After some conversation, Mr.. Biddle of Pa,
offered an amendment, which Mr.. Wicklifie
accepted, also inquiring under what authority
the Military Governor extended his power to
Pennsylvania or any other State.
Mr.. Biddle moved the previous question.
Mr.. Oliver moved TO lay the resolution on
the table. Carried-S1 against 46.
Mr.. Ashley said that some of his private let
ters to the Surveyor General of Colorado, in
connection with letters of appointment, had
been published in connection with newspaper
comments, charging him with swindling and
defrauding the government. He offered re-
solution for the appointment of a select com
mittee to investigate the charges and inquire
into the whole subject.
After some debate Mr.. Ashley withdrew the
resolution TO modify it so as TO meet the OBJ
jections as to its phraseology.
A resolution was adopted instructing the
Committee on Military Affairs to inquire into
and report as TO the better care of the sick
and wounded soldiers.
Mr.. Hutchins offered a resolution instruc-
ting the Committee on Military Affairs to in
quire and report as to the propriety of dis
pensing with the West Point Military Acade-
N.Y. and instead thereof aiding i'm the endow-
ment of military schools in several States
The resolution was adopted-7S against 40.
Mr.. Aldrch introduced biii 10 reduce the
rates Of the congressional mileage. Referred
to the Committee on Mileage.
Mr.. Brown of Va, offered resolution, which
tee to inquire into the expediency of making
appropriations to aid the Baltimore d Ohio
Railroad, and for rebuilding the bridges de-
stroyed by the rebels.
A resolution was adopted instructing the
Committee on the conduct of the war to in
qure into the condition of the convalescent
camps at Alexandria, with the view of correct
ing the alleged abuses.
On motion Of Mr.. Wright, a resolution was
adopted that the members be allowed the same
pay for newspapers and stationery as hereto
fore allowed for short session.
Mr.. Stevens submitted resolutions which. on
his motion were postponed to Tuesday week,
declaring that the Union must be and remain
one and undivided forever, and denouncing as
guilty of high crime any one in the executive
or legislative departments who shall propose
or advise the acceptance Of peace on any other
basis than the integrity and entire unity of the
United States as they existed at the time the
rebellion commenced.
Mr.. Ashley introduced his resolutions.
Resolutions were received from the Senate
announcing the death of Senator Thompson.
Messrs. Nixon, Steele and Perry delivered
eulogies. The usual resolutions of respect
were adopted
Adjourned till tomorrow, when the report
of the Secretary of the Treasury will be sent.