The Portland daily press., 1863-01-17
XXXVII OONGREss.---second Session.


! Mr.. Wilson reported an amendment as a
| substitute for the bill suspendng the sale of
lands on the coast of Georgia and Port ROYAL.
| A bill was reported to punish frauds on the
| government.
A resolution was offered instructing the Fl
nance Committee to inquire into the expeden-
| cy Of an appropriation to encourage emigra-
ton. The resolution was adopted.
A resolution OF inquiry was adopted as to
| the excess of men raised in Missouri for local
defence
A resolution was adopted instructing the
Military Committee to inquire into the practi-
eability of widening and deepening Fox and
Wisconsin rivers.
A resolution was offered as to the efficiency
of the construction of iron clad vessels.
The resolution was rejected.
A bill was reported from the Judiciary Com
mittee giving authority to heads of depart
ments to appoint persons temporarily to
discharge the duties of Secretary of War
Navy and Treasury.
A resolution of inquiry relative to the trans
portation through the mail of certain papers,
was adopted.
The bill making an appropriation for def
ciencies in the civil service, was passed.
The bill to aid Missouri in emancipating her
slaves was taken up.
Mr.. Henderson favored its passage.
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Hendersons re-
marks the bill was postponed, as also was the
bill for the consolidation of regiments.
A resolution was adopted that the Vice
President appoint member of the board of
regents for the Smithsonian Institute, to fill
the vacancy occasioned by the death of Sena-
tor Pearce.
On motion of Mr.. Howard, il was resolved
that the committee on Territories report
whether the publication of the message of the
Governor of Utah had been suppressed, and if
so what was the cause and what was the mes
sage.
Mr.. Wilson called up the bill to increase the
clerical force in the Quartermaster's Depart
ment, and offered to be read letter from Gen.
Meigs relating to certain remarks made in the
Senate concerning his loyalty. The letter
stated that when such charges are made, the
authority upon which they are made should be
giyen.-Adourned.
HOUSE.
Private bills are being considered.
The bill to enlarge the canals for the passage
of gunboats was considered.
After some debate the House went into Com
mittee of the Whole on the finance bill.
After some delay, Mr.. Hooper, in response
to a query from Mr.. Roscoe Conklin. said he
did not think the Secretary of the Treasury
could carry on his department under the pro-
visions of this bill. He, (Hooper,) after CON
sultation with the Secretary. had prepared an
amendment to borrow nine hundred millions,
and issue bonds, payable after twenty years,
with six per cent interest, payable in lawful
money or legal tendernotes the whole amount
of bonds, treasury notes and legal tender notes
together not to exceed nine hundred millions.
1t also authorizes deposits of coin, for which
receipts are to be issued in sums not less than
twenty dollars, receivable at Custom Houses,
and for payment of interest on the public debt.
Mr.. Sheffield opposed the Secretary of the
Treasury's scheme, which would break down
the State banks.
Without taking action the committee rose.
Mr.. Holman reported that Simon Stevens
had appeared before the committee on Con-
tracts and answered all questions, and moved
that he be discharged from custody.
Adjourned till Monday.