The Portland daily press., 1863-01-24
XYXVII OONGREsS.---Second Session.
w AsHiSdIoN, JAIL
SENATE.


SENATE.
Mr.. Foote was excused from further service
on the committee on Naval Affairs, on the
ground that duties elsewhere occupied his
time, especially in attending TO sick and wound
ed soldiers.
On motion, the Vice President filed the
vacancies in the committees, as follows: Mr..
Hicks on Foreign Relations; Mr.. Arnold on
Naval Affairs, and Mr. Tarpie on Public
Lands and Claims.
Mr.. Grimes asked to be excused from service
on the Naval Committee, on the ground that
his time is occupied with duties on other COM
mittees The Senate refused to excuse.
The Senate passed the bill from the House
to print the annual report of the Banks of the
United States.
Mr.. Powell introduced a bill to provide
means and mode of taking evidence to support
the claims in certain cases against the United
States. Referred to the Judiciary Committee
Mr.. Ten Eyck offered a resolution instruct
ing the Military Committee to inquire whether
the sick and invalid soldiers in convalescent
camps receive proper medical care, etc
Adopted.
Mr.. Rice offered resolution, which was
adopted, directing the Secretary of War TO
inform the Senate whether any more Major or
Brigadier Generals have been appointed and
paid than authorized by law; il so, the names
and date of the appointments and the amount
paid each.
Mr.. Arnold offered q resolution, which was
adopted, inquiring of the Secretary of the
Treasury the amount Of revenue received on
printing paper since the passage of the act
of March 2, 1861, and whether in his opinion
the reduction OF duty thereon would not tend
to increase the public revenue.
Mr.. Wilson, of Mass offered resolution
instructing the Committee on the Conduct OF
the War to inquire whether Gen. Burnside has
since the battle at Fredericksburg formed
plans for movement of the Army of the Po-
tomac, or any portion thereof; and if so, wneth-
er any subordinate Generals of said army have
written TO or visited Washington TO oppose or
interfere with the execution of such move
ments, and whether such proposed movements
have been arrested or interiered with, and il
so, by what authority. Laid over on motion
OF Mr.. Wilson.
communication was received from the
Secretary of War transmitting the list of Mai.
and Brig. Gems in the service. Ordered TO be
printed.
Also a communication transmitting the re-
port and correspondence concerning the ex-
portation of arms for the use of the French
army in Mexico. Ordered to be printed.
Also a communication from the President,
transmitting memorial of the authorities of
Washington, relative to the construction Of
certain railroads. Ordered to be printed.
A bill to provide for the greater comfort of
the sick and wounded soldiers, &c, was taken
up. The section giving increased rank to senior
surgeons was stricken out, as was the section
providing for the addition of one Assistant
Surgeon Geueral, two Medical Inspector Gen
erals, twenty Surgeons and forty Assistant
Surgeons to the regular army.
The provision tor increasing the commuta-
ton rations was stricken out, and a section
substituted authoring the Surgeon General to
procure such articles as are necessary for the
proper diet of sick and wounded soldiers. The
bill was then passed.
The bill provide an increasing clerical force
In the Quartermaster Generals office was con-
sidered, but without taking any action the
Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The House went into a committee on the
bill to provide ways and means to support the
government