The Portland daily press., 1863-12-18

sorting Phe two houses of Congress" Car
RED
Further consideration of the resolution wa
postponed TO Tuesday next. Yeas 81, nays H.
The ioliowlng message was received from
the President.
8 Herewith ! lay before you a letter ad-
dressed to myself by committee of gentle
men representing the Freedmen's Aid Society
in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Gin
cinnati. The subject OF the letter, as indicated
above, is one of great magnitude aud impor-
lance, and In which these gentlemen Of known
ability aud high character seem to have con-
sidercd with great care. Not having time TO
form mature judgment OF my own as to
whether the plan they suggest is the best, l
submit the whole subject to Congress, deem
ing that their attention thereto Is almost i'm
peratiyely demanded
HOUSE.
Mr.. Rice, of Massachusetts, from the COM
mittce on Naval Affairs, reported Il joint
resolution, which was passed, rendering the
thanks of Congress to Capt. John Rogers, for
his eminent skill and zeal in the discharge Of
his duty.
Mr.. Cox, OF Ohio Intellectually sought 10
introduce an amendment of thanks TO Admiral
Porter, for his efficient aid in opening the
navigation OF the Mississippi river.
On motion of Mr. Washburne, of Illinois, it
was resolved that when the House adjourned
to-day, il would be until Monday next
On motion of Mr.. Wilson, the committee on
Invalid Pensions were instructed TO inquire
what legislation is necessary to secure TO the
widows and legal representatives of persons
who have died or may hereafter die, after dis
charge from the military service, from wounds
or disabilities received in the line OF their
duties, the same pensions as are allowed to
others.
Mr.. Price introduced resolution instruct
ing the committee on Roads and Canals to
inquire into the expedency and necessity OF
constructing and cnlarglng the Northern ca
mails in such way as may be necessary to
connect the waters of the Hudson and Missis-
sippi rivers with the great lakes, and to report
by bill or otherwise.
MIR. Holman moved to lay the resolution on
the table. The motion was disagreed TO. Yeas
7.nays SO. The resolution was then adopted.
On motion of Mr.. McClery, resolution was
adopted calling for copy of the report of the
commissioners appointed by the President to
examine into the accounts of the officers and
men employed in the Western or Missouri
department of the army.
Mr.. Rogers gave notice of 4 bill TO increase
the pay of privates and non-commissione
officers of the army. Also, 4 joint-resoluion
toretund to the States, counties and townships,
wards, cities and municipal corporations, all
to.yolunteers in the Union army.
Mr.. Harrington, OF Indiana, offered pre-
amble setting forth the principle of the Con-
stitution in regard to personal liberty, and
stating that the 37th Congress passed law
authorizing the President to suspend the priy-
lege of the writ of habcas corpus throughout
the United States; and, further, that the
President has assumed TO suspend il in the
loyal States subiecting the people to arbitrary
arrests, without due process Of law denying
10 them the right OF speedy trial and causing
them TO languish in prison, and concluding
with resolutions denying the power OF Con-
gress to confer upon the President the right to
suspend the writ OF habeas corpus in the loyal
States, and asserting that the assumption of
the President in these respects is contrary TO
the progress OF the age, despotic, and wholly
subvcrsivc of the elementary principles on
which the government is based. The series
concludes with instructions to the Judiciary
committee to report bill to protect the rights
OF persons, in accordance with the foregoing
declarations and the provisions of the Consti-
tuition. The resolutions were rejected-6T
against so.
The House passed bill for the payment of
invalid and other pensions for the year ending
June, 1865.
On motion of Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont, a
resolution was adopfcd calling on the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury for all documents showing
the practical operation of the so-called Recip-
rocity Treaty which may be in his possession.
Mr. Smith, of Kentucky, offered series of
resolutions declaring: first, that the only hope
OF saving the country is by a vigorous prose-
cution OF the war until the constitution and
laws ara obcyed in all parts of the country;
declining all propositions for peace by media
ton or intervention, so long as a rebel is found
in arms, and that there are only two parties
patriots and traitors. Second; declaring it TO
be the duty of Congress to pass all necessary
laws and the people to render all the aid in
their power in crushing the rebellion and
bringing the leaders to punishment. Third;
thanking the soldiers in the field for defending
principles dear TO every American.
Mr.. Cravcns, of Indiana, moved 10 lay the
first resolution on the table. Negatiyed-6O
against 100 The resolution was then adopted
-93 against g.
The second resolution was adopted, only
one vote being cast against 1t. The last reso-
luton, of thanks to The soldiers, was passed
with one Director.