The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-03-16
BY TELEGRAPH
ToTHE
Portland Daily Press.
xXXVIII OONGREss---First Session.
WASHINGTON, March Is

SENATE.
The Senate reconsidered its action of yes
terday on the passage Of the House bill defn-
ing the rank, pay and emoluments of officers
in the army.
Mr.. Foster offered an amendment thereto.
which was ordered to be printed
Dill was passed providing for the enlist
ment OF Regulars during the war, OF for three
years, and places them on a footing with vol
unteers as respects bounties, and that officers
on leave not exceeding ten days, shall receive
pay and allowance. 1t provides for additional
efficers in the battalion of regular engineers,
and for the organization of regiments of vol
unteer engineers, not to exceed one company
to each brigade OF infantry, to be placed on
the same footing as Regulars.
Mr.. Dougall offered the following resolution,
which was agreed to:
Resolved-That the President be requested
to communicate to the Senate, if not incom-
patibe with the public interest, any cores
pondence or other information in possession
of the government relating to any plans now
projected, or being projected, with a view
to the establishment of monarchical govern
ment in Central or South America.
MIR. Doolittle introduced an act to amend
the act of June 18th, 1862. for the collection of
direct taxes in insurrectionary districts, which
was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Alter the passage of the bill allowing the
comforting of degrees by the Deaf and Dumb
Institute of the District of Columbia, the
Chairman of the Committee of the District of
Columbia, this being the day. set apart for Dis
trlct business, gave way to allow the Senate to
cansider the Consular and Diplomatic appro-
priation bill.
Mr.. Summers amendment raising the rank
of the Minister resident at Belgium Mr.. San
ford) to a Minister Plenipotentiary without
corresponding pay, was adopted
After considerable debate amendments were
adopted increasing the salaries of the consuls
at Shanghai. Nassau, Lyons and Manchester.
Without disposing OF the bill the Senate at
four O'Clock went into Executive Session, and
subsequently adjourned.
sHoUsE.
The House took up the Senate bill proyid-
ing that the Thanking privilege of the Presi-
dent and Vice-Presdent shall extend to all
mail matter sent to or from either of them.
Mr.. Karson, of Iowa, suggested that further
consideration be given the subject, as the
mails should not again be thrown open for the
sending to those officers, postage free, applca-
tions for office and papers Of the House of no
Importance to them.
Mr.. Norton, of ILL.,, said there should be one
rule for all having the franking privilege, and
hence the President and Vice-Presdent should
be placed on the same basis as Congressman.
He was willing to abolish the Thanking privi-
lege altogether.
Mr.. Alley, of Massachusetts,, remarked that
the parties interested desired that the bill
should be passed, as at present they are sub
ject to an onerous taxation.
The hill was then passed.
Mr.. Morrill,, of VT, from the Committee on
Ways and Means, reported bill to establish
an assay Office in Nevada Territory, and also
one at Portland Oregon. Referred to the
Committee of the Whole on the State Of the
Union.
Mr.. Dawes, OF Mass, reported a resolution
from the Committee on Elections, to pay John
>. Sleeper $3.50 for time spent and expenses
incurred in contesting the seat of Mr.. Rice,
from that State. Debate ensued, involving
the merits of the election which has already
deem decided By the House.
The resolution was laid on the table.
Mr.. Clark, of New York, from the Commit
tee on Printing, reported in favor of printing
ten thousand copies of the reports of General
Rosecrans. Adopted.
Another was also adopted to print ten thou
sand copies of Gen. Meades report of the bat
tie OF Gettysburg.
The House then resumed the consideration
of the gold bill.
Mr.. Griswold, Of New York, advocated the
passage of the bill.
The remark of Mr.. Griswold called up Mr..
Boutwell,, OF Mass, who called np a letter from
the Secretary of the Treasury TO be read, in
which the Secretary says that on the 10th of
February he addressed.to the committee on
Ways and Means letter, asking for authority
to sell gold, and he had not changed his opin-
ion as to the disturbances of such measure.
Without taking action on the bill tho House
adjourned.