The Portland daily press., 1863-02-20
BY TELEGRAPH
TO THE
Portland Daily Press.
XXXVII C0NGRESS.---Second Session.
WASHINGTON Feb 10
w ASKING.
SENATE.

SENATE.
The Chair presented a communication from
the Secretary OF the Treasury in response to
the resolution inquiring how much govern
ment cotton has been sold in New York since
the blockade of the Southern ports; to whom
sold, &c.
Mr.. King presented the credentials of Hon.
Z. ID. Morgan, elected Senator for six years
from the 4th of March.
Mr.. Wilmot offered resolution requesting
the President. if not incompatible with the
public interest, to furnish the Senate with
copy of the letter of Lieut. Gen. Scott to the
Secretary OF War, dated 4th of October, 1861.
Adopted
Mr.. Chandler introduced bill to provide
for the collection Of abandoned property and
the sale OF the same, and for the prevention of
fraud in insurrectonary districts.
Mr.. Kennedy, from the Naval Committee.
reported back the bill concerning the rank of
medical officers in the navy.
Mr.. Arnold, from the same committee, re-
ported back the bill to amend the act qualify
ing the grade of line officers in the navy.
Mr.. Grimes, from the same committee, re-
ported bill to further promote the efficiency
OF the navy.
The bill organizing signal corps during the
present rebellion, was passed.
The bill to grant pension to the late Rev.
Arthur b. Fuller, was passed.
Inc Dill Ior the uiscnarge oil state prisoners
was considered.
Mr.. Trumbull offered a substitute for the
bill. The substitute gives the President power
when Congress is not in session, to suspend
the writ OF habeas corpus during the rebellion,
and provides that the Secretaries of State and
War shall furnish the Judges of the District
and Circuit Courts lists oil all prisoners of
State, and if no indictment is found against
them by the grand jury, they shall lie discharg-
ed.
The vote was taken on the pending amend
ment 10 strike out the Sd section OF the origi-
nal bill providing for the suspension of the
writ OF habeas corpus-yeas Ii, nays n.
Mr. Carlisle offered substitute for the bill,
declaring that after the passage of the act it
shall not be lawful ,or any officer to arrest any
citizen for supposed disloyalty, except upon
the oath OF some known loyal person. 1t pro-
vides further, that the privilege OF the writ OF
habeas corpus shall not be suspended at any
time. but nothing in this act shall prevent the
arrest of any citizen of the States in rebellion
who may be charged with treason or disloyalty.
Mr.. Trumbull made report from the COM
mittee OF Conference on the legislative appro-
priation bill. The section in regard to mile
age provides that no member shall receive
more than 5000 for mileage, and no other
member, except those from distant territories,
more than $1,000.
Messrs. Latham and Nesmith opposed the
report, which was not concurred in.
A new committee of Conference was ap-
pointed.
The bill for the discharge of State prisoners
was postponed, and the naval appropriation
bill was considered.
The amendment of the committee on Fl
nance in regard to contracts for iron steamers
was awarded by striking out Of the provision
for the examination of plans by these officers.
The appropriation Of Sl2000,000 for iron
plated steamers was amended SO as to make
an appropriation Of $3.00O,O00 for two first
class armor plated steamers and the appropria-
ton for purchases, building, repairs, charters,
DC, OF additional steamers and vessels on Tor
eign stations, was increased from S3O00,000 to
el5OOJ,ODc; the appropriation for ordnance
and ordnance stores was reduced to S6,000,-
900. An amendment was adopted appropriate
ing $4,000 for barracks on Mare Island, CAL
The amendment striking ost the provision for
sectional dock at New York was agreed to.
The bill was then passed.
The Senate then went into Executive ses-
sion.-Adjourned.
The House resumed the consideration Of the
Senate's substitute for the bill indemnfyiug
the President and other persons for suspend
ing the writ of habeas corpus. Mr.. WycklfIe
spoke in opposition thereto.
After debate. Mr.. Vallandigham moved TO
.ao'c ue cenaie SUBSTITUTE. disagreed To-
46 against l04.
The question was taken on agreeing with
the substitute. Negatived-35 against lls.
On motion Of Mr.. Stevens, a committee of
conference was asked OF the Senate.
The House discussed and passed the joint
resolution authorizing the Secretary OF Navy
TO adjust equitable claims of contractors for
naval supplies, and regulating contracts with
the Navy Department.
The Housa ssad fha Can.ta,a ;ri,,s
ton expelling ex-senator Badger from the
Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Insti-
tute. and appointing Prof Lewis Agazzis 10
ill his place.
The House passed the bill for the removal
of the Winnebago Indians, and the sale of
their reservation for their further benefit.
The House took recess until o'clock.
Eoening Session.-The national currency
bill was taken up.
Messrs. Spaulding and Fenton addressed the
House. The former favored the bill
Without action the House adjourned.