The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-02-19
BY TELEGRAPH
TO THE
Portland Daily Press.
XXXVII OONGRESS.--Second Session.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is.

X
| be absent the remainder of the session. Mr..
| Foot was chosen President pro TEN,
Mr.. Sumner presented a memorial from the
4 inspectors in the Boston Custom House ask
ing for increased compensation.
Mr.. Grimes, from the Naval Committee, re-
| ported the joint resolution TO compensate the
crew of the Monitor for loss OF clothing DC.
| Passed.
Mr.. Kennedy introduced a bill concerning
the rank of medical officers in the navy Re-
ferred.
Mr.. Arnold introduced a bill to amend the
act to equalize the grade of line officers in the
navy Referred.
Mr.. Wilson, from the Military Committee,
! asked to be discharged from further considera-
ton OF the bill to amend the act Tor the col
lection OF taxes in insurrectionary districts
| Mr.. Wilson also presented a letter from the
Secretary of War concerning one from Charles
II. Haskell relative to the Banks expedition.
Mr.. Wilson introduced joint resolution to
facilitate the payment of sick and wounded
soldiers in the hospital and convalescent
camps. 1t directs the Paymaster General to
take measures for their payment, within thirty
1 days after its passage.
| The bill to regulate the appointment of mid
shipmen in the navy was passed.
Mr.. Wilcox, Of No., presented the creden-
tials of Mr.. Henderson. elected Senator by the
| legislature OF Missouri to fill the vacancy ex-
pring March 4th.
The bill for the settlement of claims for dam
age done by Union troops, was postponed till
! tomorrow. The bill provides for three COM
mssoners and a solicitor to examine all such
claims; that claims shall be advertised public
| ly, and presented within three years. No
damage to be paid on account OF slaves taken
| or escaping.
The fertilization bill was passed without
amendments.
The bill to establish the guage of the Pacific
Railroad and branches at 4 feet 8 l-2 inches
was discussed at some length and passed.
The bills donating lands to Michigan and
Wisconsin for military road were passed.
The bill organizing the Courts in District OF
Columbia was considered and an amendment
was adopted aboishing the Orphans Court
| Mr.. salisbury moved to recommit the bill
to the Judiciary Committed. Rejected, 10
against %.
The Senate then went into executive session.
Adjourned.
The House considered and passed by vote
of 95 TO II. the bill authorizing the building of
bridges over the Ohio river, below the Big
Sandy, by the Louisville & Nashville Railroad
| COMPANY; at the Falls of Ohio by the Mays
| Vile Big Sandy and Lexington d Big Sandy
Railroad Company, or at any point on the line
| of their roads. sgaE
The House concurred in the Senate's amend
/
ter of the Treasury; also authorizing an APP
| pontment of Solicitor Of the War Depart
ment.
The House took up the Senate's substitute
for the bill for the adjustment of slavery in
the State OF Missouri. Providing that when
ever the President Is satisfied that Missouri
| has adopted valid and constitutional ordi-
nance Tor the gradual or immediate abolition
or .exclusion Of slavery therefrom, twenty
million dollars In bonds, interest five per cent.
per annum, payable in 30 years after date, &c.
Mr.. Morton made point that the bill con-
tanned appropriations, and as such must go TO
the Committee OF the Whole.
The Speaker maintained the point.
Mr.. White moved TO re-commt the bill to
Select Committee on Emancipation. Carried
| 81 against 81.
The House passed the Senate's bill for the
| purpose of removing doubts as TO the meaning
| OF the former laws II authorizes the Presi-
dent, wheel two kinds of punishment is impos-
ed by Court, pecuniary or Imprisonment, TO
| remit one.
| The House passed the Senate's bin author
izing the President to appoint the head Of any
one department to supply, temporarily, the
| vacancy in another executive department,
whether by death, resignation or absence.
The House considerered the Senate's sub
stitute for a bill indemnifying the President
and other persons, for the suspension OF the
1
/ ance thereof.
| Mr.. VOORHEES, opposed the bill and Mr.. Dali
ley. delegate from Nebraska, supported it.
4 Mr. Julian made political speech, to the
effect that the democratic party are the allies
of treason and rebellion.
The House here took recess until seven
O'clock
Erening Seasonal bill was introduced to
build wagon road from West Point to Corn
wall Landing. Referred.
Mr. Julian resumed his remarks concluding
as follows A wise policy OF the war is not
| enough. Proclamations OF freedom will of
themselves accomplish little. What we need
is active, instant, decisive, definite action in
scourging faithless men from power, sweep
ing away obstacles and kindling in the
| popular heart fires of new courage and hope.
| The government should arm the colored men
| of the free States as well as the slaves of
the South, thereby giving effect to the
| proclamation. 1t should deal with the rebels
as having no rights under the Constitution or
by laws of war but the right TO die. 1t should
make war its special occupation and study,
using every weapon In its terrible armory in
blasting forever the organized diabolism which
now employs all the enginery of hell in its
/ work Of national murder, and threatens to
make our country the grave of liberty. On
earth our liberties would be saved from the
| present destruction, and new pulsations of life
| erations of men.
Mr.. May opposed the bill, and rehearsed
several arrests in Maryland, charaeterizing
them as acts stimulated by the Executive and
military tyranny. He referred to the abuses
OF citizens, whose property had not only been
unlawfuily seized, but their homes violated by
unlicensed emanatons of the Secretary of War.
Mr.. Leary said the people of Baltimore who
had been in doubt about his colleagues Mr..
May political position could now be- perfectly
satisfied where he stands, and he further said
that his colleagues votes showed persistent
effort to oppose the authority of the govern
ment In suppressing the most nefarious rebel
lion history has ever recorded. Ii he, Leary,
had hesitated before he should now vote to
indemnify the President for suspending the
writ oil habeas corpus. tApplause) He re-
futed the statement of Mr.. May, saying the
people of Maryland live in more perfect quiet
and content than ever. Although there were
few persons in the State in sympathy with
his colleague, who were in favor of disbanding
the troops and surrendering the State to the
arch traitors, the large majority of the Mary
landers were arrayed in solid columns under
the Union, and in due time would prove it. He
referred to the recent arrest of minister in
Baltimore, stating that he was known to be in
deadly hostility to the government, and every
man who would dare to insult and trample
upon that flag under which he had been pro-
tected in all his rights, deserves incarceration.
Mr.. Van Horn argued that the support of
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