The Portland daily press., 1862-12-09
BY TELEGRAPH.
TO THE
Portland Daily Press.
XXXVII O0NGRESS.---Second Session.
WASHINGTON, Dec. s.

Mr.. Hale presented petition protesting
against action adverse TO the Navy Board
He also gave notice that he should introduce
a bill to abolish the grade of medical officers
in the navy.
Mr.. Nesmith offered a resolution instructng
the Secretary of War to report the number of
aid-de-camps, whether in active service, draw
ing pay, DC.
A resolution was adopted on motion of Mr..
Wilson, of Mass, that the Secretary of War
be instructed to report the number of Major
Generals and Brigadiers, and where and how
employed.
Mr. Wilson, of Mass, offered a resolution
instructing the committee on Military Affairs
10 inquire into the expedieney of providing a
bylaw for the more efectual suppression of
the rebellion, and securing tranquility in the
State of Missouri. Adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Miner, resolution was
offered extending the call upon the Secretary
of War for all correspondence, DC, relating
TO the Army of the Potomac since the first
movement of that army
On motion of Mr.. McDougal, the Secretary
of the Navy is requested to inform the Senate
whether any Congressional district has more
than two midshipmen in the Naval Academy:
if so, by what authority.
Mr.. Latham introduced bill 10 provide for
the development of the mineral resurces of the
United States public domain. Referred.
MI. oauisoury cdileu Ior Tue resoiuton re-
latlng TO the arrest oil certain citizens In Della
ware.
Mr.. Wilson, of Mass, objected TO the reso-
luton.
After some discussion, the Chair announced
the special order TO be the bankrupt act, which
was informally laid aside.
MI. ressehuen, OF the committee on FINANCE,
reported the bill concerning judgments in GER
tam SUITS brought by the United States, which,
alter being discussed, was passed.
Mr.. Davis offered Joint resolution propos-
ing certain amendments TO the Constitution,
TO alter the mode of electing the President
and Vice-President, and that the President
and Vice-President be elected in the following
manner: Each State NAV within thirty DAYS
next before the time appointed for the election
of the President in any mode adopted nv the
State, nominate to Congress one candidate.
and on the first Monday of February next be-
fore the expiration of each Presidential term
the two houses of Congress shall meet togeth-
err as convention in the Hall of the House
of Representatives and all the candidates nom
mated BY the States within the preceding thir-
~ DAYS not exceedina one from each State
whose nomination shall have heen an.henti'
Gated to Congress. shall be before said conyen
ton as candidates for the Presidency. and
thereupon said convention shall proceed. nm
dor the sunorvision ~ tho nras;a;n,, officsr Of
the Two Houses. 10 vote. nv ballot from
among said candidates for President. And
when any one shall have received a number of
votes equal 10 nh the numbers elected and an
pointed by both II ouses of Congress. he shall
be declared Inv the President of The Senate To
be elected President of the limited States. In
ali cases where baIlotino shall have continued
in this mode throuob five DAYS. and no election
shall have been effected. on the sixth day il
shall be resumed. and after each ballot the Of
ficer presiding shall dron the candidate who
has received the smallest number of votes of
two or more candidates who shall have re-
ceiyed an equal number of votes and less than
until one shall receive the majority aforesaid.
and thereupon the President of the Senate
shall announce him TO be elected President of
the United States. The convention shall then
proceed in the same manner from the remain
ing candidates to elect Vice-President of the
United States. Whenever is may occur in the
votiug for The Praeidan, or The y;oa pras;dant
that all the candidates but two have been
cropped bafioting between them may II nee
essary to make an election. continue two DAYS
longer; and if then no candidate shall have
received the required number of votes, the of
ficer presiding over the convention shall report
the state of facts 10 the Supreme Court of the
United States: and il shall thereupon pro-
nounce which of the two candidates shall fill
the Office The resolution was ordered to be
printed
The Chair laid before the Senate a commu-
nication from the Secretary of the Treasury
i'm answer TO the resolution calling for the
amount paid for the prosecution and litigation
of land claims in California.
Mr. Anthony offered a Joint resolution in
creasing the bonds Of the Superintendent of
Public Printing to $4,000.
The bankrupt bill was taken up, and made
the special order for the 18th inst.
Tue Senate then went into executive ses-
sion.-Adiourned.
-
Messrs. Mcpherson and Yeatman were APP
pointed a Committee on Military Affairs in
place of Messrs. Blair of Mo. and jackson. the
latter deceased. Messrs. Fessenden and Walk
err were appointed 10 fill the vacancies in the
Committee on Private Land Claims. The
other Standing Committees are the same as
heretofore.
The Speaker appointed a committee to ex-
anime the charge derogatory TO the character
of Mr.. Ashley of Ohio, viz: Messrs Blake,
Shanks, Noel, Casey and Haight.
On motion of Mr.. Edwards the Committee
on Indian Affairs were instructed to inquire
whether any further legislation was necessary
relative TO the Indian funds held by the gov
eminent, and report by bill or otherwise.
On motion of Mr.. Roscoe Conklin of n Y,
the President was requested, if in his opinion
not incompatible with the public interest, to
send TO the House the last official report of
Gen. Buell..
Mr. Van Wvck of Y Y introdued n hill
providing for the immediate payment of cloth