Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-12-08
G On G RE s TON A l.
THIRTY EiGHTH CONGRESS.
THURSDAY, December s, 1864.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Mr.. Davis gave notice Of his intention 10 in.
troduce joint resolution for the restoration OF
peace In the Union, etc.
On motion of Mr.. Anthony, the Senate pro-
ceeded to the election OF the standing commit
tees, and under suspension of the rule he made
full nominations, which were confirmed by the
Senate. The only changes from last session
are the followingI Mr.. sherman as chairman
| of the Finance Committee, In place Of Mr..
Fessenden, resigned, with the addition OF Mr..
Henderson TO that committees Mr.. Grimes as
chairman Of the Naval Committee, in place Of
Mr. Hale, with Mr.. Hendricks added to that
committee; Mr. Lane, of Kansas, as chairman
Of the Committee on Agriculture, in plsce Of
Mr.. Sherman, with Mr.. Farwell added to the
committee; Mr.. Foot on the Judiciary Com
| mittee, In place of Mr.. Howard, Mr.. Hale as
chairman Of the District Of Columbia Commit
tee, in place of Mr.. Grimesj Mr.. Davis on the
Committee on Claims, In place OF Mr.. Hem
bricks; Mr.. Lane, OF Indiana, on the Commit.
tee on Patents, In place Of Mr.. shermani Mr..
Farwell on Public Buildings and Grounds, in
place Of Mr.. Henderson, and Mr.. Howard on
the Committee on the Library, In place OF Mr..
Fessenden.
Mr.. Grimes presented memorial of the
Washington Gas Light Company praying for
the repeal Of the amendments to Its charter,
which restricts the price OF gas. Referred TO
the Committee on the District of Columbia.
Mr.. Morgan presented petition from VIM.
G. Bryant, Henry W. Lopgfellow, Horace
Greely, John A. Dix, Gen. U. 5. Grant, George
Bancroft, and others, praying the founding
and support of National Home for totally
disabled soldiers and sailors Of the army and
navy. Referred to the Military Committee.
The President pro TEN laid before the Senate
q communication from the Secretary OF the In
terror relating his action under resolution of
the 3Oth Of June last, authorizing him to re-
claim and preserve certain property of the
United States. The Secretary says that he re-
garced the resolution as alludipg, manifestly,
among other things, to the public reservation
streets vest, on which,the corporate authori-
ties were then erecting a new and permanent
building, to take the place Of the present one
as public market-house, and, therefore, he
notified the Mayor ofthe disapprobation which
Congress had thus manifested, and deslred that
the further progress Of the building should be
suspended, which was immediately done, and
the work has not since been resumed.
The Commissioner OF Public Buildings re-
ports to the Secretary that three other public
reservations are occupied by public mark ct
houses, erected by the city, apparently without
any adequate authority yet brought TO the no.
tice OF the DepartTent viz; one, the Western
markets another, the Northern Liberties mar
ket, and the third, the Nsyy-Yard market.
| =
have been erected BY private individuals, which
are now used as stables, warehouses, saw-mills,
coal, Lime and wood offices, along the banks OF
the,e ga, In the nelghborhood of the Centre
nalxd spacei but when erected, or by what
authority, has not yet been fully ascertained,
but they are said to have been put up under the
sanction ofthe city, and that annual rents are
derived from them.
A part OF Virginia avenue, corner Of Sixth
street west, has also been quite recently occu.
pied as lumber yard, and the Commissioners
thinks still other public grounds are occupied
for temporary purposes, without proper Au.
thority. The Secretary has therefore directed
the Commissioner to cause the lumber yard on
virginia avenue 10 be removed, and should nc
more legal authority be shown Than Is now ap
parent for the occupation of the other places
he shall likewise order that they be vacated.
The Secretary calls the attention Of Congress
to the Long Bridge" across the Potomac, and
suggests whether itwould not be wise and pru
dent to direct the transfer OF the rails thereon
(it not being designed for a railroad) to tn,
new bridge alongside erected by the Washing
ton, Alexandria and Georgetown Railroad
Company, and 10 provide for the repair Of tn,
former, so as TO ut 1t again for ordinary travel
The communication was read and laid oil
the table.
Some further unimportant business wa
transacted, and the Senate adjourned till Mon
day.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr.. Stevens, from the Committee OF Way
and Means, reported back the Joint resolution
explanatory OF so much Of the Internal Reye
nue. act as imposes tax on cigars.
Mr.. Brooks wished 10 know whether tn
committee proposed to make . change Of du
ties on articles manufactured of tobacco.
Mr.. Stevens was aware the Secretary OF thu
Treasury recommended that the tax should b
laid on the leaf, but the COMMITTEES had com
10 no conclusion As to changing the duty.
Mr.. Brooks wanted the bill postponed, Ant
in the course OF his remarks said the only tTu
way OF assessing the duty on cigars was BY on
or two cent stamps on the same. co..
In the course OF the debate Mr.. Stevens ex
planned the joint resolution, showing that b
the decision Of the Commissioner of InternA
Revenue, as to this tax, the Government ha