The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-12-17
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T0rHE
Portland Daily Press.
XXXVIIT C0NGREsS---Tirst Session.
SENATE.
WAsHISGrey, Dec. Il

WASHINGTON, Dec. Is.
Alr. Wade presented memorial from ladies.
asking the passage of an act for the emancj-
patton OF ali persons of African descent, BE-
erred.
Mr.. Salisbury presented u memorial from
clergyman ci Delaware, asking exemption
from draft.
Mr.. Sanisbary remarked that the pastor who
attends TO the duties Of his holy mission OF
peace and good will to men, ought TO he ex-
ernpt from military duty, while political per-
sons should be placed in the front rank and
made to fight until the war is over
The memorial was referred TO the Military
committee.
MIR. Wilson presented memorial from the
officers Of the 4tb and 9th Massachusetts, col
ored regiments, asking for the same pay and
bounty as are allowed to other troops. Re-
ferred to the Military committee.
Mr.. Wilson reported back the joint rcsolu-
ton rendering the thanks OF Congress TO Maj.
Gen. Grant and the officers and men OF his
command with Recommendation for its pas
sage Adopted.
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill, In amendment
of a bill for enrolling and calling out the Ma
tional forces.
Mr.. Lane, of Kansas, offered a resolution
inquiring relative to the treatment, by rebels,
OF our Kansas prisoners, seven of whom were
seen In irons In one prison OF the South last
summer, and who, 1t was understood, were to
be put 10 death, us others had been. Recent
reports Of the same character have also been
received. The resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Hale introduced bill to amend the act
TO establish and equalize the grade of line
officers in the payy. Referred TO the Naval
committee.
N. Wilson reported back the pay and bounty
bills, with amendments.
Mr.. Sumner introduced bill to satisfy the
claims OF American citizens by reason of the
French Spoliations. Laid on the table and
ordered to be printed.
Nh. Sumner called up the resolution relative
to the codidcation of the public laws. Adopt
ed.
The House joint resolution for adjournment
being called up, Mr.. Fessenden moved IL be
laid on the table.
Mr.. Grimes suggested that the Senate vote
1t down unless it be taken up hereafter.
Mr. Fessenden accepted the suggestion.
The motion was lost-yeas 4. nays 70.
message was received from the President,
communicating statement in answer TO a
resolution of the last Congress, from the Sec
Rotary of State.-Adiourned.
HOUSE.
The Speaker announced the following com
mittees:
Select Committee OF Pacific Railroad
Messrs. Stevens, of Penns ylvania; Wilder, of
Kansas Steele, of New York Price, of Iowa;
Cole, Of California; Noble, Of Ohio; Donnelly
of Minnesota; Mcbride, of Oregon; Steele,
OF New Jersey; MeClurg, of Missouri, Ames,
of Massachusetts; Yeoman, Of Kentucky;
Sweat, of Maine.
Select Committee on Observation-Disclosures.
Washburne, OF Illinois; Grnnell, Of IoEa !;
Law, of Indiana; Baldwin, of Massachusetts;
Rollins, OF Missouri; Eliot, of Massachusetts;
Kelly, OF Pennsylvania; Knapp, Of Illinois;
Orth, OF Indiana Boyd, of Missouri; Kilpat-
rick, Of New York; Cobb, OF Wisconsin; An
drew, Of Kentucky; Middleton, OF New Jer-
scy.
Select Committee on the Rebe,lious States
Messrs. II. w. Davis, Of Maryland: Couch, OF
ley, o! Ohio; Fenton, of New York; Holman,
OF Indiana; Smithers, OF Delaware; Blair, Of
Missouri; English, Of Connecticut.
A resolution was adopted instructing the
committee on Military Affairs to inquire into
the alleged inhumanity of the enemy towards
our wounded soldiers on the field.
a resolution was adopted declaring that the
starving OF our prisoners deserves the execra-
ton OF the House, aud the consignment OF the
offenders to the condemnation Of the Al
mighty.
Numerous other resolutions were introduc-
ed, among them one by Mr.. Rollins, of Mis-
souri,. declaring that this House is prompted
by just patriotism in favoring the jealous pros
ecution Of the war, which was inaugurated by
the dsunionists; that it is the duty of the
government to prosecute the war until obedi-
ence to the constitution and the laws are Sc
cured, and that the war shall not be prosecuted
for the purpose of conquest or subjugatiou.
Mr.. Loyejoy moved to lay the resolution on
the table. Rejected-yeas 80, nays ia.
Debate arising on the resolution, 1t was laid
over.
The House then resolved that when it ad-
journed on Wednesday next 1t be until the
9Th of January.-Adjourned