The Portland daily press., 1864-01-08
BY TELEGRAPH
TOTHE
Portland Daily Press.
xxxvIu ooNGREss---First Session.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON. Jan,

WASHINGTON, Jan. Z.
Mr.. Dixon presented a memorial from Min
listers of the Gospel, asking that when drafted
they be employed as chaplains or in hospitals.
Mr.. Wilson presented petition of Col. I.
w. Higginson, praying for information as to
the pay OF colored troops compared with that
OF priyates in the regular army, and asking
for the same pay as volunteers.
Mr.. Grimes offered a resolution. requesting
the Secretary of War to furnish the names
and grades of officers in the United States
military service now stationed In and around
Washington who draw Communication for their
quarters, or fuel. Agreed to.
On motion of Mr.. Davis, the Secretary of
War was requested to furnish the papers re-
lating to the exchange of prisoners.
MIR. Carlisle offered a lengthy resolution,
stating that as a result of a compact of States
each State for itself adopted the Constitution
of the United States as it adopted its own
State Constitution. Laid over
Mr.. Towards resolution, that the Judic-
larry Committee consider the propriety of re-
pealing the joint resolution of July 18th, 1862,
which prohibits a forfeiture of real estate be-
yond the national life of the offender, was
adopted.
The House bill, making appropriations for
the Post Office Department for the fiscal year,
was referred to the Finance Committee.
Mr.. Howe offered a resolution, that the
President Of the United States be requested
to call out a million OF volunteers for ninety
days to carry freedom to every captive in the
rebel prisons, and that Gen. Grant be assigned
to the command of said troops. Referred TO
the Military Committee, and ordered to be
printed.
The bill for continuing the bounties was
taken up, and on motion of Mr.. Fessenden
referred to the Committee on Finance, with
the understanding that it should be early re-
ported.
The message OF the President and docll-
ment on the same subject were referred to the
same committee.
Mr.. Wilson moved to take up the bill ell
rolling the national forces.
The Senate proceeded to act upon the
amendments of the Military Committee, which
were all adopted, save the section repeating
the $500 commutation clause, which the Sem
ate agreed to take up tomorrow
Mr. Sumner presented a substitute for the
clause.
The Senate then went into executive ses-
sion. Adjourned.
Mr.. O'Neil OF Pa. was appointed member
OF the Select Committee on the Bankrupt
Law, in place of Mr.. Kelley, excused.
The Speaker appointed the following gem
tlemen the Select Committee to enquire into
the expediency of a new railroad between
New York and Washington for postal and
other purposes.
Messrs. Brandeger, OF Conn, Alley, of
Mass, Randall, of Pa, Farnsworth, Of ILL.,,
Brooks, of N. Y, Garfield, of Ohio, Webster,
of Md, Voorhees,, of Ind, and Sloan, of Wis.
Mr.. Wilson, of Iowa, introduced bill for
the consolidation OF the statutes of the
United States. Referred to the Judiciary
Committee.
Mr.. Spaulding, of Ohio, introduced bill 10
exempt from payment postal communications
from the Soldiers Aid Society. Referred to
the Post Office Committee.
Mr. Blaine, OF Me-, offered resolution,
which lies over, directing the Secretary of the
Treasury to ascertain and report the amount
of debt incurred by the several States in their
efforts to suppress the instruction, and de-
claring as the judgment of the House that all
such debts should ultimately be assumed and
liquidated by the General Government.
Mr.. Baldwin, Of Mass, offered preamble,
setting forth that the organized treason, hav-
ing its headquarters at Richmond, exists In
defiant violation of the Constitution, and has
no claim to be treated otherwise than an out
law; therefore,
Resolved, That any proposition or negotia-
tion with the rebels ought to be rejected with
out hesitation or delay.
The resolution was adopted by a vote OF IS
yeas and "a nays.
The preamble was then agreed to unani
mously.
Mr.. Rogers, Of N. j., offered a resolution,
declaring for a vigorous prosecution of the
war, but at the same time asking for peace,
Cancellation and compromise so far as con-
sistent with honor, and most earnestly rec
ommending the cooperation of the President
and Senate in sending commissioners to Rich
mond, in order that the war may be brought
to an honorable close.
On motion of Mr.. Stevens, of Pa. the reso-
luton was laid on the table by vote of II to
AZ.
Mr.. Scofeld, OF Pa, offered a resolution,
which lies over, requesting the Secretary of
the Treasury to inform the House whether,
under existing legislation, the seven-thirty U.
S. Treasury notes due Aug. 10th and Oct. LIST,
1864, will be repaid in coin of the United
States; also, whether any additional legisla-
ton is necessary to make the interest and
principal of the twenty years bonds, into
which the seven-thirty notes are convertible,
payable in coin.
The consular and diplomatic bill was passed,
yla. he -seI