The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-12-09
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TOTHE
Portland Daily Press.
XXXvIII 0ONGREss---First Session.

sion to john l.. Brown, of Gettysburg.
Mr.. Wilson submitted Il resolution that the
Military Committee inquire what legislation
is necessary to facilitate the payment of back
pay and pensions of deceased soldiers.
Mr.. Davis offered a resolution that the re-
fusal of the rebel authorities to exchange
negro soldiers and their white officers should
and officers in rebel prisons.
MIR. Wilson gave notice of bill to increase
the bounty for volunteering and to make an
appropriation for the same.
Mr.. Sherman called up his resolution that
the Judiciary Committee inquire and report
whether Robert Wilson is still Senator from
Missouri.
Mr.. Fessenden objected to the recognition
of MIR. Wilson In any way as Senator from
Missouri. 1t would be a bad precedent He
had no objection, however, to the inquiry being
made.
Mr.. Hale could see no use in the reference.
The Senate had repeatedly made discussions
which settled the principle of the case, cspec-
tally in regard to Judge Phelps, of Vermont,
and subsequently of Mr.. Williams.
Mr.. McDougail said that the law of the
question had been settled, and as friend of
the gentleman from Missouri he was sorry that
he thought he had claim.
Mr.. Powell thought that the whole question
depended upon the fact whether the Legisla
ture of Missouri had really adjourned Sne die
or only took recess before coming together
lately and electing Senator. If the Legisla-
ture had adjourned without the election of
Senator,the appointment of the Governor held
good until the proper assembling of the Leg
stature and election by that body. 1t had
been said, however, that the Legislature only
took a recess. He would therefore like to
have the Judiciary Committee inquire into the
facts.
MIR. Fessenden said that Mr.. Brown was
elected in November to fill the vacant place
before Congress met, yet Mr.. Wilson chooses
to travel here and take a seat knowing that
Mr.. Brown will soon be here also. Ii might
be considered that he came here to get mileage
and pay, but that both the gentlemen were
honorable men. An arrangement might be
made for the two to come to an understanding
and both get pay and mileage, one after the
other. He supposed Mr.. Wilson TO be surely
under a mistake.
Mr.. Trumbull moved to amend the resolu-
ton by declaring that Mr.. Wilson is not enti-
tied to seat in the Senate.
Mr.. Salisbury inquired if the credentials of
Mr. Brown had been presented, or whether
there were any credentials here of his cleo
ton.
The Chair, Mr.. Clark, responded that there
was not.
The amendment of Mr.. Trumbull was agreed
TO and the resolution adopted.
The Clerk of the House here appeared and
announced that the House had organized and
appointed committee to wait upon the Pres
ident with the Senate committee, TO inform
him that both Houses were ready for business.
The Senate took recess for half an hour.
At the end of that time Mr.. Foote, of the Sem
ate committee, reported that the committee
had waited on the President, and that the
latter would communicate his message to the
Senate at half past II O'Clock tomorrow.
Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Tho House adopted resolution for the ap-
pointment Of 4 committee OF three, to await
ON the Senate and inform them that the House
had organized and were ready for the transac
ton of business.
On motion of Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois,
committee Of three were appointed to act in
conjunction with that OF the Senate, TO wait
on the President aud inform him that quorum
of both Houses have assembled, and that Con-
gress is now prepared to receive any eommun-
ication he may make.
The Speaker declared that the election of
officers oil the House was now in order.
Mr.. Moorehead, OF Pennsylvania, nominated
Edward Mcpherson, of Pennsylvania, for Clerk
OF the House.
Mr. Mallory, of Kentucky, nominated Mr..
Etheridge, saying that the latter. as Clerk OF
the last House. has been guilty of no dereic-
ton OF duty; that lie has saved the Govern
ment one-third the expenses of the previous
Congress, and that such fidelity should be re-
warded. There was now an opportunity for
gentlemen on the Republican side to be mag
unanimous in re-eleeting Mr.. Etherdge to the
position he had so ably and so honorably filled.
Mr.. Lovejoy, of Illinois, said that much
cheek, II not brass, was requisite to make such
remarks as those INDUCED in by Mr.. Mallory.
Mr.. Stevens, of Pennsylvania, thought that
Mr.. Mallory ought not TO indulge in such
levity.
Mr. Msllory-Of course did not expect the
gentlemen TO be magnanimous; | meant what
said.
Mr. Stevens--Oh, Iknow-(Laughter.)
The House then proceeded to vote for Clerk
with the following result: Whole number of
votes 10; necessary 10 choice Sc. Nc
Pherson had 10l; Etheridge TO.
Mr. Mcpherson was then declared elected.
He then took the oath of Office and entered
upon his duties.
On motion of Mr.. Stiles, of Pennsylvania, a
resolution was adopted, that the several gen.
tlcnen contestng seats, be allowed the priv
ilege of the floor and have the right to speak
in their respective cases.
Mr. Rollins, Of New Hampshire, nominated
n. G. Ordway, of New Hampshire, for Ser
geant-at-Arfns. tY37s
Mr.. Randall, of Pennsylvania, nominated
Mr.. Adam Glassbrcnner, of Pennsylvania, for
Sergeant-at-Arms.
Whole number of votes 1874. Mr.. Ordway
received 100; Mr.. Glassbrenner As; Scatter
ing "a.
Mr.. Ordway was declared elected, took the
oath of Office and entered upon his duties.
The House elected Ira Goodenow, the pres
ent incumbent, door-keeper. He received 9S
votes, 10 being necessary to a choice.
Mr.. Washbune, of Illinois, from the Joint
Committee appointed to wait on the President,
reported that he will communicate his annual
message tomorrow, at halfpast II O'Clock.
w. s. King, of Minnesota, was reelected
Post Master, having received 103 out of the
100 votes cast.
Mr.. Dawes, of Massachusetts,, presented the
credentials of Messrs. Segar, Kitchen and
Chandler, as members from Virginia, which
was referred TO the committee on elections.
Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, offered a Joint
resolution, presenting the thanks of Congress
to Major General Grant, and the officers and
soldiers who have fought under him during
the rebellion, and providing that the President
cause a medal to be struck for Gen. Grant, In
the name of the people of the United States.
The resolution was passed unanimously with
out a word of debate or explanation.
Mr.. Pike, Of Maine, offered a resolution
providing for the selection Of seats by drawing
for them.
Mr.. Cox, Of Ohio, said before this was acted
upon he desired to offer resolution, respect
fully requesting the President to take imme-
date steps for the exchange of our prisoners
iu the prisons Of the South, and that he COM
municate all CORE snondpnpa in the War De-