Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-12-21
CONGRESSIONAL.

n.
SKSArK.-Mr. Collamer presented petition
from George W. Matsell & Go, and Harper
&c Bros, praying an alteration OF the law for
ferred to the Committee on Post ofiess and
Post Roads. -
Mr Howard presented a petition of officers
partment, praying an increase of compensa-
ton, on account Of the present inadequacy.
Referred to the Committee on Finance.
Mr.. Sherman, from the Finance Committee,
reported back the House bill making appropria.
tons for consular and diplomatic expenses.
Also the House bill to amend the Internal
tax on whisky take effect on the 1st OF January
next, instead of the 1st February.
Mr.. Sherman explained that though 1T had
been objected that this measure would indicate
instability in the legislation on the subject,
yet If it did not pass it was alleged
on the other hand that the manufacture Of
whskey would be exceedingly active during
the month Of January, and consequently be
but little made for q long time after wards,
when the additional tax would be in force. 1t
was therefore deemed to be the interest OF the
Government to at once settle the question of
the tax, and bring the So rate into effect on
the 1st of January, and thus secure revenue.
The bill was further debated, and Mr.. Grimes
having declared the phraseology OF the bill to
be very improper-asking what would be
thought of bill proposing to strike out date
out OF law twenty years old, and insert
another.
Mr.. johnson offeredan amendment to rene.
.dy the defect; but Mr.. Sherman and others
arguing that this would cause delay, by rem
dering 1t necessary to send the bill back to the
House. The amendment failed.
The bill was then passed as 1t came from the
House, by yeas 49, nays ~.
Mr. Harlan called up his resolution instruct
ing the Committee on the District Of Columbia
to inquire into the expectancy Of requiring by
law, that all persons of the District should
take and file with the Provost Marshal an oath
OF allegiance, and prohibiting all persons from
doing business in the District who do not take
such oath.
Mr. Sumner said that he thanked the gentle.
man for introducing this resolution. A meas
ure which he (Mr. S had formerly introduced
for requiring all practitioners In the u. s.
Courts to take such an oath as the Chief JUS
tice the other day took, had been, for some rea.
son he did not know Of, reported upon adverse
Iy by the Judiciary Committee There were
lawyers in this city who had declined to take
the oath OF fidelity requisite to practice in the
local District Courts, but yet practice in the
United States Courts.
Mr. SALISBURY was opposed to the passage
of any such resolution, and thought that an
Administration coming again into q new lease
OF power should be satisfied not to Cypress
those of the opposition. He did not deem such
step necessary with the people Of this Dis
trict, and he would ask, was it designed to
drive all who differed with the party in power
out of business in this city
MI. Harlan thought the gentleman from Del
aware entirely Inexperienced the purpose of
the resolution. He dlsclaimed any purpose Of
oppression, and declared that 1t was MI. Sauls
bury himself who implies that men OF opposite
politics to the Administration were In sympa-
thy with the rebellion.
After further debate, the resolution was
adopted-yeas %, nays u
Mr. Harlan called up the bill to amend the
charter OF the Washington Gas Light Com
pany, and on his motion 1t was amended so as
fix the price of gas at 40 cents per 100 cubic
feet, with a deduction OF per cent. to the
Government, and 10 per cent. TO citizens for
prompt payment.
HoUsE.-Mr. Kasson introduced a bill to
levy duties on tobacco and its manufacture
which was referred to the Committee Of Ways
and Means.
MIR. Worthington, member elect from the
new State of Nevada, appeared and qualified
and took his seat
: On motion OF MIR. Rice, Of Massachusetts,
the Secretary was directed to communicate to
the House what obstacles exist in the way OF
the exchange of officers and men belonging TO
the navy.
The House proceeded to the consideration of
the resolution heretofore offered calling upon
facts in relation to the exchange of prisoners.
MIR. Cox advocated the resolution, taking &C.
casion to condemn retaliation against rebel
prisoners in our hands because of rebel IN.
human treatment toward our men iE their
keeping.
was justiflable by all the laws OF war.
The debate was continued, and finally the
House voted on and adopted the resolution,
that, if not incompatible with the public inter-
ests all communications with reference to the
exchange of prisoners, not heretofore pub.
Secretary of War.
The House resolved itself into q Committee
of the Whole on the state of the Union, and
proceeded to the consideration of the bill to
supply deficiencies to the amount of ninety
one millions in the appropriation for the-pres-