The Portland daily press., 1864-05-04
BY TELEGRAPH
TOTHE
Portland Daily Press.
XXXVIII OONaREss---First Session
WASHINGTON, May 3

SENATE.
Mr.. Fessenden reported from the finance
committee The army appropriation bill as
amended by the House, and asked for a COM
mittee OF conference. Agreed to.
Mr.. Sherman called up the resolution that
quorum of the Senate shall constitute a
majority Of the Senators present duly ouali-
fled. 1t was made the special order for 1890
Il. Nj. tomorrow.
The House joint resolution appropriating
$25,000,000 for the pay OF the one hundred
days troops was passed, and the Senate, at
2.30 p. NJ, adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Schenck, OF Ohio, from the military
committee, reported bill providing that on
and after the 1st OF May next, the pay of pri-
Yates in arms, shall be increased from Sl3 to
sl6 per month, and OF non-commssioned Off
GERS as follows: Corporals SIS; Sergeants
$50; Orderly Sergeants s24; Sergeant Majors
$26 per month.
The bill was then passed unanimously, there
being 135 yeas.
Mr.. Stevens reported from the committee
Oh ways and means the Senate's amendments
to the Navy appropriation bill, and the House
concurred in these, appropriating 81 100000
for the completion OF sixteen screw steam
sloops, S4,O00,OO0 for the purchase and repair
OF vessels for western waters, and S3,000,OO0
for the purchase and charter OF vessels for
blockading purposes.
Mr.. Rice, OF Mass, showed that the en-
largement Of the Charlestown Navy Yard had
become necessary by the large increase of the
navy.
The Senate struck out the appropriation of
sl35. 900 for the purchase ofland adjoining the
Charlestown Navy Yard, aud on the amend
ment the committee on ways and means rec
commended a non-concurrence.
Mr.. Holman, OF Ind, moved a reduction of
the appropriation to S60,0v0, showing that this
was the value of the property last autumn.
Mr.. Stevens said the appropriation was rec
commended by all the commandants who had
been at the yard.
The House coneurred In the Senate's amend
ment by SO TO 3S.
The House then concurred in the Senate's
amendment providig that no money appropri-
ated for the Naval Academy shall be supplied
for the support OF any midshipman who shall
not hereafter be appointed in strict conformi-
ty with the laws.
The House nsxt considered the Senate's
amendment providing that the Naval Acade-
my shall be returned and re-established at
Annapolis before the next academic year.
The amendment was concurred in.
The House resumed the consideration OF the
bill guaranteeing Republican form of gov
ernmentto the States subverted or overthrown
by the rebellion.
Mr.. Perham, Of Ne, repelld the slander
that this is an abolition war. Instead of the
party in power being responsible for the war,
1t was that party which had control of the
government for sixty years. The rebellion
was inaugurated under Democratic admins
tration, with its patronage and consent, stim-
ulated and encouraged by the promise OF the
aid of Northern Democrats, and now kept
alive 10 the hope that the same party will
come TO its assistance. While the Democrats
hold President Lincoln to strict account,
and charge him with violations of the Consti-
tuition, they have no complaints to utter
against the rebels who set the Constitution at
defiance. In conclusion, Mr.. Perham said
that slavery must cease with the last strug-
giles Of the rebellion.
Mr.. Herman, OF n. T., considered the pro-
visions OF the bill and opposed it. because, ac-
cordng TO his judgment, il was in violation OF,
and subvereive, OF the great fundamental prin-
ciples on which the General and State govern
ments stand. The Federal government has
no right TO interfere with the people in chang
ing their Constitutions and making them laws.
We can do nothing more than guarantee Re-
publican form Of government In accordance
with the Constitution. He believed tha the
effect of the bill would be to crush out the
loyal men in these States, and stimulate them
to resistance. The question is not how much
the South has sinned, but what is wise and
best for happy and peaceful Union for both
the North and the South. We shall not save
aud restore the people of the land under one
government by trampling on the guarantees
OF the Constitution.
EVENING SESSION.
The bill guaranteeing Republican form of
government to rebellious States being under
consideration, Mr.. Gooch, OF Mass, made u
lengthy speech in favor of the measure.
Mr.. Perry, OF n. j., opposed the bill at
length.
After long debate, which was participated
in by Messrs. Fernando Wood, of n. Y, and
Kelley, of Penn, the House at IL Ia o'clock
adjourned.