The Portland daily press., 1864-03-17
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TOFHE
Portland Daily Press.
XXxVIII O0NGREss---First Session.
WASHINGTON, March 10.

SENATE.
A large number of petitions in favor of in.
creased mail and railroad facilities between
New York and Philadelphia were presented
and referred.
Mr.. Morrill, presented petition from the
builders Of double and side wheel gunboats.
representing that they have suffered pecuniary
loss in executing their contracts, and praying
for relief. Referred 10 Committee on Claims.
Mr.. johnson, from Committee on Judiciary.
reported back the bill regulating proceedings
in criminal cases and Tor other purposes with
amendments.
Mr.. Howard offered the following resolu-
ton:
Resolved, That the Committee on Finance
inquire into the expediency OF providing I'M
der the national currency act, of authorizing
the associations organized under it to enter
into contracts to take and receive on loans
and discounts such rate of interest as is or
may be allowed by the laws of the State dis
trict or territory in which the association is
located.
The resolution was agreed to.
Mr.. Hale offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Committee on Naval
Affairs be instructed to inquire if the same
promotions in the volunteer navy, similar or
analogous to the regular navy, may not be es-
tablished by law, SO as to reward meritorous
conduct in that class of officers.
The resolution was agreed to.
Mr.. Foster introduced bill concerning the
dispositions of convicts in the courts of the
United States, for the subssting OF persons
confined in Jail charged with violating the
laws of the United States, and for diminishing
thoexpenses in relation thereto. Referred to
the Committee on the Judiciary
Mr. Howard introduced bill to organize
the Invalid Corps OF the army. Referred to
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill in relation to
deserters from the military service. Referred
to Committee on Military Affairs.
The consular and diplomatic appropriation
bill then came up in order, and a debate en-
sued on the clause authorizing twenty-five
consular pupils, and the bill then passed.
The Senate then concurred In the House
amendment to the gold bill.
Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Farnsworth, of ILL.,, introduced bill to
promote to efficiency of the U. s. Artillery.
Referred
Mr.. Cox, of Ohio, from the Committee on
the Rules, reported adversely on the resolu-
ton requesting them to inquire into the ex-
pedlency OF establishing new committee on
mines and mining.
Mr. Washburn, Of ILL.,, from the same COM
mittee, made an adverse report on the propo-
sition for new committee on national banks
and banking. He also reported, firm the same
committee, an amendment to the rules, SO as
not to permit any member to vote in any case
when he was not within the bar Of the House
before the result OF the vote should be an.
nounced. Laid on the table,
The House concurred in the Senate's amend
ments to the post Office appropriation BILL
These amendments appropriate S64000O for
the payment OF letter carriers, and S150,O00
to meet any deficiency which may exist in the
post office revenue.
The House then resumed the consideration
of the gold bill.
The House adopted the amendment offered
by Mr. Hubbard, of N. T.. yesterday, viz =
Provided that the obligation to create sink
ing fnnd by the act OF Feb. 25th, 1862, shall
not be impaired thereby.
Mr.. Highly, of Cal, was opposed to the
Governments going into the market with
their hard huckstering to buy its own paper
at less than its face.
Mr.. Kelly, of Pa, said he had changed his
views, and would now vote for the bill before
the House.
The House next voted on agreeing to the
senate amendment authorizing the Secretary
TO sell gold, as amended this morning by the
amendment OF Mr.. Hubbard. Agreed to-S3
against Sc.
The bill as amended by the Senate and Mr..
Hubbard was then passed, and reads as fol-
That the Secretary Of the Treasury be
authorized to anticipate the payment of inter-
est on the public debt by period not exceed
ing one year from time TO time, either with or
without a rebate of interest upon the coupons.
as to him msy seem expedent, and he is here
by authorized to dispose of ady gold in the
treasury of the United States not necessary
for the payment Of interest on the public
debt, provided that the obligations TO create
the sinking fund, according to the act of Feb
%, 1862, shall not be imIoired thereby.
Mr.. Stevens then moved the previous ques-
ton.
Mr. Cox, of Ohio, moved that there be
call of the House in order to secure full at
tendance.
The main question was then ordered to be
put.
The House proceeded to the consideration
of the bill to drop unemployed General officers.
MIR. Cox, OF Ohio, opposed the bill, arguing
that they should be dropped only aftey an in
quiry to see whether they are incompetent
To do so otherwise would inflict a stain, which
is worse than wound on their character.
MIR. Farnsworth, of ILL.,, favored the bill.
He thought General officers should be treated
as everybody else when their services are not
wanted.
Mr.. Garfield, Of Ohio, spoke in favor of the
bill.
Without taking action on the bill, the House
adjourned