The Portland daily press., 1864-03-24
XXXVIII OONGRESS---First Session.
WASHINGTON, March 90.

SENATE.
Mr.. Howard proceeded TO address the SEN
ate at length in opposition to the bill of Mr..
Powell to prevent military interference in
State elections.
A bill establishing Bureau of Military
Justice, was reported from the Military Com
mittee.
A joint resolution was passed, appropriate
ing 900 for the expenses of the Committee
on the Conduct of the War.
A bill appropriating 100000 to establish
navy yard at Cairo, ILL.,, was introduced.
The bill relating to deserters, providing for
the Acknowledgement of those refusing to re-
turn and from exemption from punishment to
those who return, was taken up.
Mr.. Wilson advocated the bill, stating that
there were many deserters in Canada DESTROYS
of returning to serve out their time in the
army.
Mr.. Clark opposed the bill. No action was
taken.
The bill to prevent military interference in
State elections was taken up.
MIR. Howard opposed it at some length, be-
leving 1t obnoxious to the Constitution.
Adjourned.
Mr.. Herman asked leave TO introduce res
oution for a special committee To inquire
whether civilians in the employ of the gov
eminent were sent home at government ex-
pense to vote at elections.
Mr.. Stevens, of Pa, objected unless the in =
quiry should be conducted by the committee
on the Conduct of the War, to which Mr.
herman would not consent.
Mr.. McClurg, of Mo-, rising TO a personal
explanation, repeated and sought TO prove the
charge heretofore made against his colleague
(Mr. Blair of having violated the Treasury
regulations by smuggling liquors into the ar
my, and produced an army order signed by
Gen. Rosecrans to show the falsity of Mr..
Blair's remarks that free persons of color had
not been removed from Missouri and sold into
slavery. He had the same compassion for
Blair as he had for a condemned criminal, and
INDUCED in severe personal reflections upon
his colleague.
MIR. Blair asked that special committee be
appointed to exumine the charge of his col
league, who uttered base and wilful false
hood.
His colleague had taken the place of the
forger and falsifier, and he Blairt pronounced
him (McClurg) an Infamous liar and scoun-
drel.
The Speaker said such language was against
the rights and decorum of the House, and
called upon the House to aid him in enforcing
the rules.
Mr.. Blair said no other language could be
used in regard to allegations so false so base
and so utterly contemplate.
Dir. McClurg asked Mr.. Blair TO look at his
tBlairs) own signature in the liquor order
Mr.. Blair replied, with passionate earnest
ness, that he would look at nothing that came
from the Infamous scoundre.
Much excitement, confusion and disorder
prevailed throughout the proceedings.
Finally the resolution to appoint select
committee to enquire into the allegations of
Mr.. McClurg was adopted.
Mr.. Wilson, of Iowa, from the Judiciary
Committee, asked, and the committee was dis
charged from further consideration of the me-
mortal, asking for the impeachment Of Judge
Miller, of Iowa. He said nothing appeared
from the document to justify any action in
the case.
The House then resumed the consideration
of the Delaware Bay and Raritan Railroad
Bill.
Mr. Davis, of New York, favored the bill.
Mr. Perry, of New Jersey, opposed it. argu-
ing that there was no necessity for declaring
it military post road.
The discussion was terminated for to-day by
the expiration of the morning hour.
The House then preceded to the consider
alton OF the amended national currency and
bank bill.
A resolution was passed instructing the
Committee on Ways and Means to inquire in-
to the expediency of imposing an ADEQUATE
duty on all wool imported from foreign coun-
tries after the 1st of July next.
Mr.. Hooper favored the system of National
banks and thought the system of State banks
unequal to the present exigencies. Without
taking action the House adjourned