Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-12-06
As.emhIing or Congress.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-The House assem-
bled at noon. The galleries were densely
crowded, and all the members in the best
possible humor, exchanging salutations.-
The Speaker called the House to order,
when prayer was offered up to the Throne
of Grace by Chaplain Claiming. The roll
of members was called, when upwards of
one hundred and fifty members answered
to their names. A quorum was announced
in attendance. A message was received
from the Senate informing the House that
quorum of the Senate had assembled and
were ready to proceed to business. Reso-
lutions were adopted to inform the Senate
and President that the House was ready to
proceed to business.
The Speaker laid before the House the
credentials of five gentlemen of louisiana
signed by Michael Hahn, Governor pur-
porting to be elected members of the
House in pursuance of the recently adop-
ted Constitution of that State. The Gre
dentials were referred to the committee on
Elections. The privileges of the Hall were
accorded to them while the question of their
credentials was pending.
Mr.. Davis of Maryland, presented pro-
test from Louisiana against their being adj
mitted as members. Referred to the COM
mittee on Elections.
On motion of Mr.. Davis of Maryland, it
was
Resolred, That the committee of Ways
and Means be instructed to inquire into
the expediency of reporting bill for an
amendment of the Constitution providing
that so much of the 9th section of 1st arti-
Gle OF the Constitution as declares that no
tax or duty shall be levied on articles ex-
ported from any State, be and the same is
hereby annulled.
Mr. Pendleton offered the following:
| ResotUed. That the President be request
ed to communicate, if not incompatible
| with the public interests, the report made
! by Col. Thomas NJ. Key, of an interview
between himself and Howell Cobb on the
l4th day Of Jfne, 1862, on the banks of the
| Chickahominy, by the authority of the
War Department, on the subject of the ex-
change of prisoners.
Mr.. Washburne of Illinois objected. So
the subject lies over.
MIR. Cox of Ohio, offered the following:
ReS0lUed That the committee of Ways
and Means, with view to lessen the cost of
the necessaries of life, be instructed to in
quire into the eXpediency of reducing the
tariff on coffee, sugar, tea. and similar ar
ticles, by the payment of all customs in the
paper currency of the Government instead
so that an ad valorem and not specific
duty, be laid on said articles.
On motion of Mr.. Dawes of Mass, the
resolution was tabled-G3 to 40.
On motion OF Mr.. Morrill, of VT, it was
ReSOtred, That the committee of Ways
and Means be instructed to inquire into the
eXpedency of providing a sinking fund at
an early day for the gradual eXtingush-
ment of the public debt.
Mr.. Washburne of Illinois, offered a res
olution that in any amendment to the rev.
enue bill to be reported from the committee
OF Ways and Means the said committee be
instructed to lay a tax on all stocks of do
mcstic liquors Oh hand.
Mr.. Morrill, moved to lay the resolution
on the table. Disagreed to-i7 to 63. The
resolution was then agreed to-53 to 81.
The Speaker said he understood the Presi-
dents message would not be communicated
to-day. Adjourned.
The Senate was called to order at noon
by Mr.. Clarke, of New Hampshire, Pres
ident pro TEN. Prayer was then made by
the Chaplain, Mr.. Banman, of Indiana.
Mr.. Foote of Vermont, offered 4 resolu-
ton that the Secretary of the Senate be in
structed to inform the House that the Sem
ate was ready to proceed to business
The following Senators were present:
Messrs. Anthony, Chandler, Clark, Cola
mer, Conness, Cowan, Davis Dixon, Doolit-
tie, Foote, Foster, Grimes, Harding, Harlan,
Harris, Henderson, Hendricks, Hicks. Howe,
johnson, Lane of Indiana, Lane of Kansas,
McDougal, Morgan, Morrill,, Nesmith,
Pomeroy, Powell, Ramsay, Sherman. Sum-
ner, Ten Ef.k, Trunble, Van Wrinkle,
Waddle, Wilkinson and Wiley.
Mr.. Sherman introduced bill providing
that the Secretary of the Treasury is au-
thorized to construct not exceeding six
steam revenue cutters tor service on the
lakes, and for that purpose the sum of one
million dollars, or so much thereof as is nee
essary, is appropriated.
Mr.. Lane of Kansas, introduced bill
for the relief of the militia of Kansas in re-
pelling the invasion of the rebels under
Price. Ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Foster moved that the Senate take
recess for one hour.
On reassembling the Senate adjourned.