The Portland daily press., 1863-02-17
XXXVII U0NGRESS.---Second Session.
WASHINGTON, Feb. I6.
SENATE.

10,
SENATE.
petition was presented in favor of the re-
duction OF the duties Oh iron, steel and liquors
| Mr.. Wilson, from the Military Committee
reported back the resolution of enquiry rela
tive TO the case of Mrs. Thomas, the French
lady, with the statement of the facts.
The bill regulating the appointment OF mid.
shipmen was taken up The pending amend.
ment ratifying the appointments made by the
President and Secretary of the Navy was
reported.
Mr.. Anthony moved to amend the bill so that
appointments shall be made in reference to
merits and qualifications, to be ascertained by
examination. Rejected.
AT the expiration of the morning hour, the
Chair called up special order, it being the
bill enrolling and calling out the militia Of the
United States.
Mr.. Lane, of Kansas, offered resolution.
which was adopted, instructing the Committee
on Territories to enquire into the expediency
OF passing an act to enable the people Of New
Mexico TO form constitution preparatory to
admission as a State.
Mr.. Wilson spoke in explanation Of the
special order.
Mr.. Cowan moved to insert members of
Congress among the persons exempted from
the provisions of the bill. Rejected - 10
against "a.
exempt Governors and the legislature and Judi
ciary of the several States.
Mr.. Clark moved to amend so rs TO limit to
Governors and the judiciary of the States.
Mr.. Clark's amendment was adopted-22
against 20-and Mr.. Cowan's amendment AS
amended was adopted.
Mr.. Dixon moved to add to the exemptions
the only son of a widow depenent OH him for
support. Agreed to.
NJ
persons drafted TO be exempted by paying $3.50,
and providing that all persons failing TO APP
pear shall be tried by court martial, and fined
not less than $50 nor more than 800, or ini-
prisoned one month for each $50 imposed In
arrears u said fine.
After discussion the amendment was tenn
porarily Withdrawn.
Mr.. Collamer offered an amendment rcqur-
Ing the President, under the call proposed by
the bill, 20 take In the number OF men the
State has furnished and make theapportion :
ment Ia the districts OF the several States ac-
cordingy.
The Senate here took recess until o'clock.
Ereaing Seasonal bill enrol.ing and call
ing out national forces was taken up.
Mr.. Collameris amendment was passed.
An amendment was adopted allowing draft
ed persons to be exempt by procuring a sub
stitute or paying a sum Of money not exceed
substitute or pay the required sum, to be ar
rested aud court martialed.
An amendment WAS adopted to include in
the first class those between 20 and IS years Of
age.
An amendment was offered that persons OF
foreign birth who have declared their inten-
ton OF becoming citizens, or who have voted,
shall be deemed citizens. Rejected.
An amendment was offered To exempt per-
sons who, being averse TO bearing arms from
scruples of conscience, are by the Constitution
and law of any State excused therefrom.
Mr.. Sumner moved to amend to exempt
clergyinen.
Tue first amendment was withdrawn.
Mr.. Sumner renewed his amendment ex-
empting ministers Of the gospel. Rejected.
The bill was then reported TO the Senate
The question was on agreeing to the amend
ment exempting Governors and the judiciary
of States. Rejected-i7 against 10.
The amendment exempting members Of
Congress was rejected-l6 against 20.
Anamendment was adopted including citi-
zens OF foreign birth who have declared their
intention of becoming citizens.
The amendment was then adopted exempt
ing Governors Of States.
At II o'clock the bill passed.-Adjourned.
HOUSE.