The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-12-19
Congressional Summary.

In the United States Senate on Monday.
numerous petitions in favor of the bankrupt
law were presented. Several resolutions OF in
quiry were adopted. A resolution was offered
proposing certain amendments TO the Constitu-
ton to alter the mode Of electing the President
and vice-President, according to q plan which
is given in the report. In the House bill was
introduced to indemnity the President, and
Others for suspending the privilege Of the writ
of habcas corpus and acts done in pursuance
thereof, which excited some debate, the House
refusing to reject 1t, "a against 90. The re-
naming business Of the day was Of minor i'm.
portancs.
In the u. s. Senate on Tuesday. communi-
cation was received from the Secretary Of War
in answer to the resolution calling for informa-
ton relative to the sale Of colored freemen cap
tured by the rebels, So, that no Information
on the subject was in possession Of the Depart
ment. A resolution relative to government ar
rests excited some debate. In the House there
was debate on the admission Of the proposed
State Of Western Virginia. The bill smendato-
~ Of the internal revenue act, in which collec-
tors. assistant collectors. assessors and assist
ant assessors, are authorized to administer oaths
was passed.
In the U. s. Senate on Wednesday bill was
reported to establish an arsenal and ordnance
depot in New York harbor. A resolution for
feiting the lands and annuitics Of the Sioux In
dams. and providing for their removal far away
from white settlements was referred. The bill
for the relief of the French ship Jules ct Marie
was passed; also the resolution increasing the
bonds of the Superintendent of Printing. In
the House the Secretary Of War was instructed
10 give the House detailed information relative
TO the number Of officers absent without COM
mand, unnecessary for the wants Of the service,
sc. The bill for the admission Of Western Vir-
gina into the Union was passed-96 to IS.
In the Senate on Thursday, 18th inst, res
olution was adopted, instructing the Com
mittee ON Finance to inquire into the expedi-
ency Of allowing Surat cotton to be imported
into the United States upon the payment OF the
same duties as for cotton imported FROM beyond
Cape of Good Hope. A message was received
from the President recommending vote Of
thanks to Lieut.. Morris, tor the defence Of the
Cumberland, against the Merrimac. In the
House, the Speaker submitted message from
the President, that the thanks Of Congress be
extended to John S. worlen, for gallant CON-
duet on the Monitor in the combat with the
N.....,.. NJ. pn..oa rn,LI;n of Naw York
asked leave to report a bill to establish uni
form system of bankruptcy. Mr.. Wickliffe Of
fered resolution. calling on the Secretary Of
War, to state what number Of soldiers have
been placed on the army rolls; what regiments
have not been paid up to Dec. I, 1862; what
regiments remain unpaid. and whether money
appropriated by Congress for pay. clothing
and subsistence has been diverted to other OBJ
jects. The resolution was amended by making
the call. il not incompatible with public inter-
est, and then adopted. A resolution was intro.
dueed declaring the emancipation proclamation
is not warranted by the constitution: Tabled.
In the Senate, Dec. ~, Mr.. Wilson of Mass,
introduced a resolution that the committee Of
Military Affairs be instructed to inquire into
the expediency Of allowing enlisted men now In
the service Of the U. s., entitled to bounty Of
500 before the passage Of the act of July 5,
1862, the same advance bounty as is allowed
enlisted men by that act; and also what legis-
lation is necessary to secure more prompt
and speedy payment OF troops in the field and
hospitals. Adjourned to Monday.
The House not in session.