The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-12-23

xxxvIII ooNGREss---rirst Session
SENATE.

l
1 clergy from the operations of the draft.
| Mr.. Sumner gave notice of bill. TO provide
for the revision and codificalion of the statutes
| Of the United States.
Mr.. Pomeroy gave notice of bill, relative
| to the assumption of the Indebtedness of
| Kansas.
Mr.. Anthony made a motion that a select
committee OF nine, upon the Pacific Railroad,
| be appointed. Agreed to.
Mr.. Sumner submitted resolution request
ing the Postmaster General to communicate
to the Senate the reason OF the frequent fail
ures OF the mails between this city and New
York, asking what legislation is necessary TO
remedy them, and If Il new railroad TO New
York be not required TO meet the demands of
the postal service.
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill concerning
the members of Congress, as follows: No SEN
ator, or Representative, or delegate in Con-
| gress shall, during his continuance in office
as such, be employed with or without COM
| pensation, as Attorney or Counsel, directly or
indirectly, In any suit, cause or matter in which
the United States are interested as party, or
| otherwise pending, or TO he heard or dctermin-
ed ia any Court, or before any department or
tribunal whatever, either civil or military.
Mr.. Howe submitted a resolution for the
relief of the State of Wisconsin.
II proposes TO give Wisconsin per cent. OF
the proceeds of the sale OF the public lands
within that State.
The Joint Resolution of the House appro-
priating the advanced pay and premiums of
enlisted men, was taken up. On motion of
Mr.. Wilson the additional provision of $4,000
to supply deficiencies IN printing was stricken
| out
Mr.. fessenden moved that a proviso be in
serted that no part of this sum be paid to any
enlisted man alter the 9Th of january next,
which was adopted. Mr. Fessenden moved
| that the proviso be now amended, that no
bounty be paid after the 9TH of January, ex-
| cept such as is now provided for by existing
law. After debate Fesscnden's amendment
was adopted, % against o. 1t stops all boun-
ties ON the 9TH Of January.
The resolution was then reported 10 the
Senate, and Mr.. Wilson offered an additional
section TO the effect that the money received
from drafted persons shall be paid into the
Treasury of the United States, to be drawn
out on requisition as other money, to be APP
propriated to the payment of bounties and
procurement OF substitutes. After few re-
marks the amendment was adopted. The re-
solution was then read third time and passed
without dissenting voice.
Mr.. Grimes reported the House Joint Re-
solution, giving the thanks of Congress TO
Capt. John Rogers for captures made and gen.
eral good conduct, which was considered and
adopted.
The House resolution for adjournment on
Wednesday to Tuesday the 5ih of January
was taken up, and on motion of Mr. Fessen-
den ii was laid on the table.
The bounty and pay bill which was pending
was on motion of Mr.. Wilson laid on the table,
and the enrolment bill taken up. The Com
mittec amendment from the LIST to the 9Th sec
ton was acted upon scriatim, and adopted.
Mr.. Hendricks proposed TO amend the section
relative TO classes as follows: That the ma
nal al. III
military service enrolled under this act. shall
be divided into two classes, the first of which
shall comprise all persons subject TO do mil
itary duty between the ages Of 20 and 45
years, aud who are unmarried, and the second
class shall comprise all other persons subject
to do military duty, and persons of the second
class shall not in any district, be called into
the service OF the United States until those of
the first class shall have been called He sup
ported the amendment In a speech. giving
reasons why married persons should be ex-
empt, until an absolute necessity existed for
their services. fe@-
Mr.. Howe was afraid the magistrates and
clergymen would require a relief from their
burthensome duties should the amendment be
adopted. Some experience under special
provision for the families Of enlisted married
men In Missouri admonished him that such
would be the case. The amendment was re-
jected without division.
Mr.. Dixon offered resolution exempting
clergymen, aud supported 1t in speech, as
the title OF minister was vague. He proposed
TO restrict exemption to those only actually in
clerical service and vouched for as such by
those of their own communion.
Mr.. Lane, OF Indiana, said clergymen were
among the most patriotic Of men; they had
preached for the Union and prayed for the
Union, and he was willing that they should
fight for the Union
Mr.. Harlan did not think clergymen had
complained of the conscription. He had heard
them thank God that their manhood was thus
recognized.
The vote was then taken OH this amendment
and IT was rejected. Yeas s. nays 80. Yeas
Messrs. Anthony, Dixon, Doolittle, Hicks,
Morrill,, salisbury, Sumner and Van Winckle.
Mr. Wilson offered an amendment offering
TO persons who may enlist in any OF the Sc
coded States the benefit of the provisions of
this act After a few remarks he withdrew
his amendment temporarily. The bill lies
over.
Mr.. johnson called up the House resolution
for adjournment from Wednesday, aud vote
was taken with the following result: Yeas q,
nays Is.
Mr.. Trumbull submitted the following:
Resolrcd, That the Secretary of War be
directed to furnish the Senate with the names
OF all Major and Brigadier Generals who are
without commands equal to a brigade; how
long each has been without such command.
and whether each has staff and il so. how
numerous and Of what rank and what amount
OF pay, including communication and rations
each has been receiving; and also that the
Secretary of War inform the Senate how many
Major and Brigadier Generals are in command
OF departments, districts and posts in the loyal
States, and whether any necessity exists that
requires that those departments, districts and
posts SHOULD be commanded by officers of
such high rank, with numerous and expensive
stafis.-Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Stevens, of Pennsylvania, from the Com
mittee on Ways and Means, reported the Post
Office appropriation bill, which was made the
special order for the 9th of January
Mr.. Holman, from the Committee on Claims
reported a resolution requesting the LIST Comp
troller Of the Treasury to suspend proceedings
relating to the claim Of Messrs Cormack and
Ramsey, involving nearly S2,0O0,000 on ae-
count OF carrying the mail, until further action
OF Congress. Adopted-1l0 against SO.
Mr. Hale, OF Pennsylvania, from the CON-
mittee on Claims, reported joint resolution
referring all the papers in the Mccormick and
Ramsey case 10 the Court of Claims. Passed
A resolution was adopted to print 10000
copies of the memorial OF the National Canal
Convention, which was communicated to the
House by the President.
The House then resumed the consideration
of the bill reported yesterday to pay the off,
GERS and men called on for home defense in
the Western or Missouri Department. After