The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-12-18

Il LttH ~ WASHINGTON, Dec. IL.
SENATE.-Mr. Dixon gave notice OF bill
amending the CONSUMPTION act to exempt the
on motion Of Mr.. Foster the Senate proceed
cd TO the election Of Standing Committees.
The following Senators arc Chairman OF the
most important committees: u v ,..f
Foreign Relation-Mr. Sumner. Finance
Mr.. Fesscnden. Commemorate: Chandler
Acriculture-Mr Sherman. Military AfMrs
MIR. Wilson. Naval Affairs-Mr. Hale. Ju-
,dic;ary-Mr. Trumbull. Tcrritories-Mr. Wade.
Tbc credentials of d. Gratz Brown, OF Mis-,
so,,ri. were presented and he was qualified and
took his seat.
Mr.. Wilson introduced tho following:
Resolred, That the gratitude Of the Ameri.
can pcople and the thanks OF their represents
tive. In Congress are due, and are hereby ten
dercd 10 Major General Joseph Hooker and the
, officers and soldiers Of the Army Of the Poto.
mac, for the skill. energy and endurance which
first covered Washington and Baltimore from
the mcditated blow Of the advancing and pow.
erful army OF the rebels, led by Con. Robert
L. Lee, and to Maj Gen. Geo: Is. Meade anu
md the officers and soldiers Of that army, for
the skill aud heroic yalor which at Gettysburg
repulsed, defeated and drove back broken and
dispersed, beyond the Rappahannock the vete'
ran army Of the rebellion.
The resolution was read twice and referred to
the Military committee.
Mr.. Wilson also introduced joint resolu-
ton that the thanks Of Congress be hereby
rendered to Maj. Gen. N. 7. Banks and the otti-
GERS and soldiers under his command, for the
skill, courage and endurance which compelled
the surrender of Port Hudson, and thus 70
moved the last obstruction to tho freo navigs-
ton OF the Mississippi river. .,.,
The resolution was referred to tho Military
committee.
The Joint from resolution the House, voting Q
gold medal and the thanks Of Congress to Gen.
Grant, was referred to the Military commit
Mr.. Lane, Of Indiana. introduced q bill to
amend the Enrolment Act so as to strike OUT
the $500 communication, and to increase the pay
OF the rank and file of tho army.
Mr.. Hale introduced n bill to prohibit the
holding in servitude OF any persons in the
country, except on contract. Ordered 10 DC
Mr. Wilson introduced bill to increase the
bountes to volunteers. Referred to the Militia
HousE.-The chairman of the most impor-
tant committees are us follows:
Elections-Mr. Dawes, Of Massachusetts,
WAYS and Means-Mr. Stevens, of Pennsylva-
MIA. Claims-Mr. Hale, Of Pennsylvania
Commercc-Mr. Washburne, Of Illinois: Ju-
diciary-Mr. Wilson, of Iowa. Military Affairs
Mr.. Schenck, OF Ohio. Militia-Mr. Van
Valkenburg, of New York. Naval Affairs
MIR. Rice, OF Massachusetts,. Foreign Affairs
Mr.. Davis, OF Indiana. Territories-Mr. Ash
ley, OF Ohio.
Several bills were then INTRODUCED which
were referred to tho appropriate committees
when Fernando Wood offered a resolution pro-
Wiling for tho appointment Of u Commissioners
10 Richmond, with the view OF arranging for
the termination of the bloody, destructive and
inhuman war, and securing q peace under the
Constitution, on terms OF justice and equality.
Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, moved to table
II. Carried. Yeas %, nays So
Mr.. Wood then introduced resolution to
the effect that,
Whsrsas, The Union cause has gained sub
stantial advantages recently, It is not beneath
our dignity rs q great people, to oiier the In
surgents an opportunity to return to the Union,
without imposing on them degraded condi-
tons; therefore,
Resolved, That the President appoint three
Commissioners to open negotiations with the
Richmond authorities, to tho end that TINS
bloody, destructive and inhuman war shall
close LAID on the table % to So.
Mr.Lovejoy introduccda resolution to inquire
into the expcdenoy Of placing all enlisted
soldiers on the same footing, without distinc-
ton rs to color. Passed.
Mr.. Mallory offered o resolution, the Senate
concurring, that when tho House adjourns on
Friday, 1t be to January 9th. Passed.
Adjourned.