Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-06
rHIRTY-sEvENTH CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.
SENATE

SENATE.
Mr.. LATHAM introduced a bill to promote
the efficiency of the artillery arm of the SER
vice; referred.
Mr.. SUMNER gave notice of bill to pre-
vent correspondence with the rebels.
n. L. SMITH introduced bill to promote
the efficiency of the army; referred
Mr.. DooLIrTLE introduced bill to amend
the act for the collection of direct taxes in the
insurrectionary districts. The object of this
amendment is to reserve certain military sites
from sale; referred.
Mr.. SHERMAN introduced bill taxing bank
bills and all fractional currency.
Mr.. POWELL offered a resolution reciting
the order of Gen. Grant expelling Jews from
his department. and stating that many citizens
of Paducah, KY, have been driven from their
homes by military authority without any spe-
cifc charges, therefore resolved, by the sem
ate that said order is condemned as tyrannical
and unjust, and the president is requested to
countermand the same laid over.
Mr.. NEsMITH offered resolution request
ing the secretary of war to report the number
of officers and privates who have deserted
since July l, 1861, and what steps have been
TN tnoNeHGh tfh4f:e sR; 1aonted ururrtrrr
on claims was instructed to inquire into the
NAPSNhSilSJ VI pIONlulHS lOr Ile payment OF
interest to the states of Massachusetts and
Maine, in consequence of their advances to
the United States in 1862 and 1915.
Mr.. WILSON of Massachusetts, introduced
bill to suspend, temporarily the operation
OF the act to prevent and punish frauds on the
part of officers making contracts for the gov
ernment; referred. Mr.. WILSON also offered
resolution instructing the military commit
tee to inquire into the expediency of conSOl-
idation Of regiments now in the field so that
the maximum number shall at least be I2O
men. Adopted.
Mr.. McDougall offered resolution in
structing the committee on finance to inquire
into the expediency of modifying or abolish
ing import duties on foreign paper Adopted.
A message was received from the president,
submitting to congress the expedency of ex-
tending to other departments the authority
conferred on the president, by act of May,
1892, to appoint temporarily persons to dis
charge the duties of the secretaries of state
and of the treasury, or of war, in case of
death, absence, or sickness. Also message
desiring the consideration of the report of the
secretary of state, relative to consular pupils
ordered to be printed, and referred.
A bill from the house, to raise volunteers
for the defence of Kentucky, was taken up.
Mr. DAVIS urgedits passage. Mr.. TRUMBULL
opposed it. After discussion the bill was re.
committed.
The bankrupt bill was then taken up, the
question being on the amendment exempting
homesteads from execution. Mr.. MCDoUGAI,
favored the bill and the amendment.
After executive session, adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. ASHLEY onleave introduced bill de-
filming the duties of the clerk of the house in
certain cases; referred to the committee on
the Judiciary. 1t provides that the clerk shall
not enter on the rolls the name of any person
claiming to be elected a member of congress
by virtue OF the proclamation of any military
governor or commander of any state which
has been declared in a state of Instruction;
that quorum of each house shall consist of
a majority of those elected from the LOYAL
states; that in counting electoral votes no
state shall be entered excepting those repre-
scented in congress at the time of the presi-
dental election.
Mr.. ASHLEY asked leave to report bill au.
thorizing the president to appoint temporary
governments for states or districts now or
hereafter in rebellion, to be maintained till
the state government returns to the au-
thority of the United States; and that no
law shall be passed by the provisional coun-
I'll establishing UT recognizing slavery, &c.
Mr.. VALLANDIGHAM objected to its second
reading. The speaker decided that as no
notice has been given of an intention to in
troduce the bill the objection was well
taken.
Mr.. CLEMENTS introduced bill which was
referred to the committee on military affairs,
authorizing the raising of volunteer force
for the defence of Tennessee.
MIR. WILSON asked leave to introduce
joint resolution ratifying the emancipation
proclamation. Mr.. THOMAS objected to its
as no notice had been given.
Mr.. BENNETT introduced bill, which was
referred to the committee ON territories, pro-
viding state government for Colorado.
MIR. SPAULDING introduced a bill providing
ways and means to support the government;
referred to the ways and means committee
Mr.. MORRILL, of Vermont offered Joint
that part of the old hall of represen-
tatives shall be used for statuary hall; re-
ferred.
On motion of S. c. FEssENDEN, a resolution
was adopted asking the president why our
minister to New Grenada has not presented
his credentials, and why Senior Murila has
not been recognized as minister to this coun-
try, and what negotiations, if any, have taken
place between this government and Gen. Her
ron, as representative OF Ospinas government
n New Grenada, since the latter went out of
existence.
On motion of Mr. SEDGwIcK, resolution