The Portland daily press., 1863-01-07
XXXVII OONGREss.---second Session,
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Mr.. Wilson, from the Military Committee,
reported back the bill to suspend temporarily
the operation of the act to prevent and punish
fraud on the part of officers entrusted in max
ing contracts for the government, and moved
that the bill be put on passage. After discus
sion the subject was indefinitely postponed.
Mr.. Wilson, from the Military Committee,
| reported back the House joint resolution for
prompt payment of soldiers and seamen, with
an amendment authorizing the Secretary of
the Treasury to issue an additional fifty mil
lions of demand treasury notes.
Mr.. Fessenden moved to have it referred to
the committee on Finance.
Mr.. Wilson urged its passage, and thought
thigh time our soldiers were paid He had
no objection to its reference.
The bill was referred to the Committee on
Finance.
On motion of Mr.. Wright, the bill concern
ing the discharge OF State prisoners was taken
up, and he addressed the Senate at length in
favor of the Government. The bill was theE
postponed until tomorrow.
Mr. Wilson of Mass. introduced a bill to
provide for the greater comfort of sick and
wounded soldiers in the hospitals, and to pro-
mote the efficiency of the Medical Department.
The bill provides that the rations for soldiers
in hospitals shall be commuted at the rate of
thirty cents per day, which shall be reckoned
by the commissary department as credit to the
hospitals, to be expended. in the same way as
the hospital fund under the present regua-
tons.
On motion of Mr.. Rice, the committee on
Military Affairs was instructed to enquire in
to the expediency of reimbursing the State of
Minnesota for monies advanced by said State
for the suppression of Indian hostities in
1862.
The Senate then went into executive ses-
sion.-Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Noel, from the Select Committee on
Emancipation, reported back the bill to aid
Missouri in securing the abolishment of slav-
cry therein. 1t provides for the issue Of ten
millions 30 year bonds, payable to legal own
erss the government pledging itself to the de-
poftation and colonization of the freed men.
Mr.. VallaRdigham objected
The Speaker overrued the objection
on the ground that the bill does not, as the
gentleman had urged, make an appropriation
OF money.
Mr. Clements, as a member Of the Special
Committee on Emancipation, objected.
Last session it was proposed to Appropriate
| $150000,000 for the adjustment of slavery in
Kentucky, Western Virginia, Maryland, Mis-
souri, and Delaware. This was on National
basis, whereas this bill is of sectional char
| acter.
MT. w lCkillle Sdlu lneTc was HOT one l1dtl
in 300 in Kentucky in favor of the Emanci-
patton Proclamation,
Mr.. Noel, of Missouri, spoke in favor Of the
BILL
He appealed to Mr.. Clements TO waive his
| opposition, and let them commence the work
in Missouri, and when the proper time shall
arrive the benefits may be extended to other
States
Mr.. Holman moved to table the bill Disa-
greed to, AZ against 73.
Mr.. Elliot moved an amendment excluding
from the benefit OF the act all who wilfully re-
fuse to take the oath of allegiance to the Gov
| ernment when required by any civil or militia
| ry officer thus authorized. Adopted, 70
| against %.
Mr.. Pendeton moved that the bill be tabled
Negatived A against ".
| Mr.. Cravens moved that the House ad-
| iourn. Lost, 10 against 81. The bill then
| passed, 73 against 46.
| On motion of Mr.. Wicklifie, it was resolved
that the Committee on Ways and Means be
instructed to inquire into the expedieDcy OF
issuing Treasury Notes bearing 3.65 per cent.
| interest, the amount issued to be equal to the
amount of tender notes in circulation, and
| such other sums as the demands OF the public
service for the current year shall require. That
there be issued an equal amount of U. 5. o
| per cent. 20 years bonds, which bonds, with
the interest, shall constitute a fund for the re-
demption of the 365 Treasury notes, the in
| terest to be paid in specie. The holders of the
tender notes shall have the right to surrender
| them whenever the amount of S100is present
ed and received at the par value of the same.
| The holders of he 3.65 Treasury notes shall
have the right to invest the same in 20 year
| per cent bonds when an amount equal TO
$500 is presented.
Mr.. Colfax, from the Committee on the
| Post Office rpported a hill authorizinO the