The Portland daily press., 1864-02-17
BY TELEGRAPH
TOTHE
Portland Daily Press.
XXXVIII U0NGRESS---Tirst Session.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1G.
9 ENr A IN.

SENATE.
The bills granting lands to the State of Or
egon to aid in the construction of military
roads were passed.
On motion Of Mr.. Harris, the bill repeating
the statutes Of limitation in certain cases was
called up and passed.
The bill provides, as amended, that during
the existence of the rebellion, the time during
which person shall be beyond the reach OF
legal process, shall not be deemed or taken as
any part of the time limited by law for the
commencement of an action.
On motion OF MIR. Lane, OF KY, the Senate
proceeded to the consideration of the bill set
ting apart certain lands in Texas for the use
of persons of African descent.
Mr.. Lane proceeded to address the Senate
at length on his bill
After referring to the course of the govern
ment relative to slavery at considerable length,
Mr.. Lane said the policy of the administration
relative to emancipation and the arming
of the negroes had been accepted by the loyal
men of the country. But another step re-
NAMED to be taken by an amendment to the
Constitution abolishing slavery altogether
The black man freed, the question then comes,
what shall be done with him? Mr.. Lane ar
gued that as the social and political inequali-
ty Of the negro with the whites, rendered it
impossible for him to develope his capabilities
in our midst, we should give them country
OF their own, with the rights springing from
actual dominion, and exercise for the time be-
ing territorial government over them. He
argued that his bill provides for these things,
and explained its provisions, saying he felt
confident that it would command the serious
attantion Of every Senator.
The regular order of the day was then TAX
en- up, the question being ON Mr.. Cowau's
amendment giving all soldiers similar pay &c.
Mr. Wilsop nrnnosed an amandmant oivinp
all soldiers the same pay, rations, clothing,
emoluments aud bounty from the LIST of March,
1864.
Mr.. Davis proposed an amendment to dis
band and disarm all colored troops. That il
colored men are employed in the army, it be
as Transfers and laborers, and that loyal own
ers be paid for slaves taken, and receive full
value in case the slave dies in the service of
the United States.
EMr Davis supported his amendment in a
long speech condemnatory of slave troops and
the policy of the administration, and said that
even II our armies are successful in the COM
ing campaign, the rebellion was not subdued,
as the rebels would carry on paItizan war.
A message from the House was received an
nouncing their adherence to their amendments
to the Senate bill, and asking for a committee
of Conference.
The Senate adhered to its amendments. and
committee.
Without voting on the pending question the
Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Dawes, of Mass, earnestly urged the
credentials Of James NJ. johnson, Representa-.
tive elect from Arkansas, to be referred to the
committee on Elections. He said Col. John
son brought with him the Constitution of Ar
kansas as Free State, the first UNIV Hing fruit
wrung from the rebellion. He (Dawes) re-
garded it as extraordinary that Mr.. Davis, of
Maryland, should, on a former day, move to
lay those credentials on the table without ev-
er giving Arkansas a fair hearing.
Mr.. Davis replied that his objection was
that these credentials assumed the free exist
ence OF State government which was not
true in point of fact. They must first ascer-
tain whether there is State government
there before they entertain the question of ad-
hitting a Representative.
Mr.. Boutwell,. of Mass, concurred in the
views expressed by Mr.. Davis, of Nd, saying
he should wait until Arkansas shall organize
without military coercion.
Mr.. Boutwell, then offered series of reso-
lutions as declaratory of the sense of the
House in regard to the reconstruction of the
Union, among the requirements of which are
freedom TO the black as well as to the white
man.
Mr.. Keenan,, of n. Y, appealed to the
House to devote themselves to practical ques-
tions instead of discussing humbug PROPOSE
tons.
Mr.. Davis argued in favor of the reference
of the credentials of Mr.. johnson to the COM
mittee on Elections, and they be considered
without reference to the question of recon-
struction.
MI. Davis, of Nd, replied that in his opin-
ion the admission of Representative from
Arkansas would be the recognition of the ex-
istence of a State government there
After an Intellectual motion to refer the cre-
dentals to the select committee on Recon-
struction, with instructions, they were referr-
ed to the committee on Elections.
The House then resumed the consideration
OF the whiskey amendment to the internal
revenue bill.
The Senate amendment taxing all liquors
distilled after the passage of this act, or sold
between the LIST of July and the LIST of Janua-
ry next seventy cents per gallon; also taxing
all liqnors distilled, or sold on or after the LIST
Of January next eighty cents per gallon, were
disagreed to-yeas Al, nays 105.
The Senates amendment striking out the
additional tax of twenty cents on adulterated
spirits was agreed to.
The amendment striking out the proposed
tax on all spirits now on hand, was agreed to
yeas II, nays 70.
Without final action the House adjourned.