The Portland daily press., 1864-12-13
xxxvr11 CONGRESS Second Session.
III 0 WAsHINeToN, Dec. r.

80 NASHlA6TON, O6c, 1-s
SENATE. IL -
Mr.. Sherman presented petition from the
Western Associated Press for reduction OF
the duty on imported paper. Referred to COM
mittee on finances. fEsf IS NJ
The House Joint resolution authorizing the
enlargement OF the Navy Department build
ing has passed. ~ "a TFgEaW "a IA Z D
{ Mr. Wilson presented a petition from Gen.
Weltzel and 470 other officers of the 18Th
Army Corps, praying Congress to increase the
pay of army officers twenty dollars per month,
and fix the commutation price OF the rations
at fifty cents instead of thirty, and allow six
teen dollars per month.
Mr.. Wilson presented petition from Col.
Higgnson, praying for an amendment TO the
act limiting the increase of pay to those color
ed soldiers who were free on or before the
10Th of April 1861. Referred.
Mr.. Doolittle offered the following resolu-
ton, which on his motion was referred to the
Finance committee:
Resolved, That the committee on Finance
be instructed to inquire into the propfiety of
the immediate passage oil an act to increase
the revenue. LIST. By an additional tax of one
per cent. upon all sales Of realiand personal
property, including all bargains for the sale of
merchandise, produce, gold and silver coin,
and stocks OF every description. 41s.s..
I'd. BY an additional tax OF 25 per cent. on
the gross receipts to be added to the present
rates of all railroad fares, including street
railroads, steamboats, and ferries; to be collect
ed by the companies or persons running the
same, for the use of the government; and that
said committee be further instructed to in
quire into the propriety OF the passage Of
law to prevent further expansion of the
currency, by the organization OF any new
banking associations, except where they may
take the place of some existing State banks;
and that said committee be further Instructed
to inquire into the propriety Of redeeming all
outstanding interest bearing legal tender
notes, by issuing in their stead, other notes in
denominations of not less than fifty dollars
each, bearing uniform interest from the first
day of january In each year of 9 s. 100 per
cent. per annum, with coupons attached, to be
paid out, and to bs legal tenders for their
face with interest added. .fls.s5 .,,af'fsei ,sas
Mr.. Farwell introduced the following reso-
luton, which was agreed to-: lnse ~ 9oht
Resolved, That the committee on Com
rnerce be instructed to inquire into the pro-
priety of providing by law that vessels en-
gagged IN foreign trade, shall employ, or take
on board American boys, at least one for
every 800 tons measurement.
Mr.. Farwel, also, introduced the following
resolution, which was, adopted:F WHV
Resolved, That the committee on Com
merce be instructed to inquire into the pro-
priety of consolidating the three great dis
tricts; and for providing that licensed vessels
may trade to ports on the Atlantic and Gulf
coasts, without aclearance and entrance at
the Custom House. ,,11v~
Mr.. Davis introduced series of resolutions
for the restoration OF peace, Union, &c.
Mr. Farwell introduced bill to regulate
the admeasurement of the tonnage OF ships,
andsto prescribe the charges to the same. Re-
ferred to the committee on Commerce. AG. 4
The senate here went into executive ses-
sion, and at the expiration ofhalf an hour the
doors were reopened.
Mr.. Doolittle moved to refer the resolution
of Mr.. Powell, calling for the record of the
commission in the case of Gen. Paine, of ILL.,
nois, to the Military committee. - sF,,,s..,
Mr.. Powell demanded the yeas and nays,
and the resolution was referred yeas 80,
nays s.
The Senate again went into executive ses-
sion. Adjourned. @ S'ssa
The resignation Of Gov. Fenton was re-
ceived. - II = -
The consideration of the bill giving the true
construction to that portion of the revenue
act taxing cigars, was postponed until Thurs
day. ssuo,n
The bill reported last session TO establish
an iron-clad navy yard at New London, was
taken up.
A substitute offered last session, that the
offer of Philadel phia. giving League Island to
the Government, for the same purpose, be &C.
cepted was also considered. TcC2
Mr.. Kelly advocated the claims Of League
Island for the navy yard.
Mr.. Brandege showed the superior advan-
tages of New London for the location of the
navy yard.
No action was taken on the navy yard bill.
The Bankruptcy bill Of the last session was
taken up and altered, so as to go into effect
on the LIST Of June next, and then passed, 70
against Sc. Adjourned.