The Portland daily press., 1864-12-16
xxxvlI1 CONGRESS Second Session.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.
SEN ArE

I
WASHINGTON, Dec. ID.
SENATE.
= MI Chandler's resolution offered yesterday
was referred to .committee on Foreign
Mr.. Brown offered a resolution that the
committee on Military Affairs Enquire into
the expedieacy Of providing FOR the enroll
nent OF all males between Is and As, without
respect to color, and to suggest such other
matters as may Tend more efficiently to organ
Ice the military system. aI1
On motion of Mr. Chandler, the House bill
to regulate commerce among the several
States, was made the special order for the first
"Wednesday In january. ssfA =
On motion OF Mr.. Sumner, the bill to trans
! feria gunboat to the government of Liberia
Mr.. Powell opposed the bill. s3ecer
The bill then passed, 80 against o.
On motion of MIR. Anthony, the committee
on the. Conducted the War was instructed to
inquire into the facts of the assault on Peters
burg on the 30lh OF July last. q % ~
A resolution was adopted asking the Presi-
dent to furnish Information relative to the
treaty with Great Britain concerning a naval
force on the Lakes. ssl4nfrqa H0E9
Mr.. Lane offered resolution that the Com
nnittee on the conduct of the war be instructed
to inquire into the truth of the alleged charges
that large numbers of disloyal persons are in
sion Of loyal men, e .ys5 .9uf 5
Mr.. Lanes resolution was passed.
Eaaia b1n iQos $3.50 HOUSE. taH aaes
l. The committee on Ways and Means were
instructed to inquire into the expediency OF
exempting sailing vessels of 500 tons and up
wards from The two per cent revenue tax. -
Mr.. Schenck reported from the Military
committee a bill for the better organization of
the subsistence department. 2s,3s =
On motion Of Mr.. Rich, the House took u
and passed a joint resolution giving the
thanks of Congress to Capt. Muslin and Lieut..
Gushing. aif90 liaJ g.aat eqaa ~.
+ Mr.. Donnelly of Missouri, introduced bill
to require all persons applying for the benefit
of the presumption and homestead laws to
make oath that they have not deserted from
the army or resisted the draft, or secreted
themselves to avoid being enrolled or drafted,
or discouraged enlistments. b bsa
leg Mr.. Davis from the committee on Foreign
Affairs reported a bill declaring that Con-
gress has the Constitutional right to an au-
thoritative voice in declaring and prescribing
the foreign policy and that while. the matter
is pending in Congress. It not subject of
T Diplomatic explanation.
Mr.. Davis OF New York, moved the previous
question on its, adoption, but on motion of
Mr.. Farnsworth of Illinois, it was laid on the
table, So against 9.
Mr.. Davis Immediately asked to be relieved
from service on the committee on Foreign
Affasrs as he found the majority of the house
opposen to: him. He ,animadverted severely
on tue SECRETARY of State for hts explanations
of resolutions heretofore opposed by the
house rgainst French or other interference in
affairs onsthe Continent. 81 vsW ~"
8 Mr.. Cox Of Ohio, supported the views of
Mr.. Davis.
Messrs. Blaine, Boutwell,, Spaulding and
Dawes sustained the action of the House.
After further debate the House refuse to
excuse Davis from seavice on the committee
on Foreign Affairs. i = ao.tasstA
A resolution was adopted, the Senate CON
curing, to adjourn over from the 22d of De-
cember 70 the 9TH of January
The House passed the bill giving the con-
struction to the clause of the Internal Reve-
nue. act concerning the tax on cigars and to-
bacco. -. --~. e
4 The Invalid Pension and Consular and Di-
plomatic Appropriation bills were passed. J6t
Adjourned till Monday. vn