The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-02-12
XXXVIII OONGREsS---Tirst Session.

WASHINGTON. Feb. IL.
| SENATE.
Mr.. Conness called up the bill amendatory
OF, and supplementary to, an act to provide
Circuit Courts Tor California and Oregon
which, after being amended, was adopted.
Mr.. Collamer reported back from the CON-
mittee on Post Offices and Roads, a bill reg,,-
latng the railroads in New Jersey, and moved
that the subject be referred to the Judiciary
Committee, as it presented grave questions OF
conflict between the government and that
State. Considerable debate arose on this mo-
ton.
After debate the bill was laid on the table.
Mr.. Davis introduced bill to ascertain the
losses OF the loyal States during the war
Referred to the committee on Claims.
The bill reyiving the grade of Lieutenant
| General was called up by Mr.. Wilson, with
the amendments adopted by the Military Com
mittee. The amendments strike out the
House clause authorizing the Lieutenant Gen.
| eral to command the armies of the United
! States. Also the clause recommending Gen.
| Grant to that position.
A very long debate ensued.
Mr. Conness proposed to amend the bill so
that the Lieutenant General shall be General
in-Chief OF the armies, under direction of the
President, and shall remain in chief command
during the pleasure of the President.
Without coming to vote the Senate al
journed.
A bill was passed appropriating $4,000 TO
rebuild the Presidents stable destroyed by
fire last night.
On motion of Mr.. Chandler, of New York.
the select committee on railroad between
New York and Washington, was instructed to
inquire into the expediency Of furnishing adj
ditional railroad facilities for the transporta-
ton OF troops between the two cities.
The House went into committee on the en-
rolment bill.
The amendment to draft persons of African
descent, to constitute part Of the national
forces, was discussed, involving the question
OF compensation to loyal owners.
During the debate Mr. Fernando Wood, of
New York, said the Confederate Congress was
now debating propositions of peace, while we
were here legislating in violation of the Con-
stitution.
Mr.. Cox, of Ohio, favored peace PROPOSE
tions, and believed if Mr.. Fernando Wood
were sent on mission to Richmond, peace
would be restored 10 sixty days.
Mr.. Smith, of Kentucky, said he was the
last man to treat with the rebels, who must
lay down their arms and yield to the govern
ment Internationally.
An amendment by Mr.. Davis, of Maryland,
was agreed to, providing for the appointment
OF Commissioner to each Slave State repre-
scented in Congress, 10 award just compensa-
ton, not to exceed $500, to each loyal owner
of any slave who volunteers, payable out of
the Communication money when the master
frees the slave.
Mr.. Baldwin, of Mass, moved to substitute
the words to whom the colored volunteer
owes service" for " the owner of any slave"
Agreed to.
Mr.. Broome, of Penn, offered a proviso.
that the section shall not apply to any Con-
gressional district, if the Representative of
the same shall expressly ask that the slaves of
his district be exempted from the draft, letting
it fall more heavily on white men. Disagreed
to.
Mr.. Webster, of Maryland, offered an
amendment, that the bounty Of 500 now pay
able to each drafted man, shall be paid to the
person to whom such drafted person owes SER
vices, on freeing the person. Agreed TO-
The debate continued at great length.
Mr.. Stevens amendment as amended by
Mr.. Davis and Mr.. Webster, was agreed to.
Various propositions were disposed Of
The committee rose and reported the
amendments to the House.
Mr.. Schenck, OF Ohio offered a substitute,
which includes the above amendment.
Ordered to be printed, together with the
bill as amended.-Adjourned.