The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-02-19
XXXVIII OONGRESS---First Session.
WAsHISGToN, Feb. IS.

| SENATE.
After the presentation of various memorials
and petitions, the Senate proceeded to take
up the special order, which was the consider
alton of business relating to the District Of
Columbia.
Mr.. Wilson, from the committee Of confer
1 ence on the part of the Senate on the enrell-
ment bill, made report, which, after partial
reading, was ordered to be printed, and made
| the order for tomorrow.
The House provision for the $500 commu-
tation is agreed to- with proviso that 1t shall
exempt for no longer period than one year,
and that at the expiration of that time such
persons shall again be liable to draft. The
bill, as reported, also frees colored persons
who may be drafted 1t provides that such
troops shall not be assigned as State troops,
but shall be mustered into the service as u,
S. colored volunteers.
The District of Columbia business will oc-
cupy the day.
Mr. CONFESS introduced the following joint
resolutions:
1st-That the Provost Marshal General be.
and he is hereby directed to enlist such per-
sons as may desert to enter the naval service
OF the United States, under such directions
as may be given by the Secretary of War and
the Secretary of Navy, which enlistments
shall be credited 10 appropriate districts, pro-
vided, nevertheless, that inasmuch as persons
enlisted in the naval service receive prize
money, persons so enlisting shall not be en-
titled to receive any bounty upon their enlist
ment.
2d-That the President Of the United States
may, whenever in his judgment the public
service requires, authorize and direct the
transfer of persons who have been employed
in the service and now are enlisted in regi-
ments for land service, from such regiments
to the naval service, upon such terms and ac-
cording to such rules and regulations as he
may prescribe, provided, nevertheless, that
the number n transfers from any company or
regiment sb4f not be so great as to reduce
such company or regiment below the mini
mum strength required by the regulations OF
the military service; and, provided further,
that such sum as may have been paid to per-
sons so transferred as bounty for enlistments
into the military service shall be transferred
from the recruiting fund Of the naval service
to the credit OF the proper appropriation OF
the land service.
On motion OF Mr.. Grimes, the following
amendment was added That there shall be
paid TO each enlisted able or ordinary seaman
hereafter enlisted into the naval service an
advance Of three months pay as bounty, to
be refunded to the treasury from any prize
money to which such enlisted seaman may be
entitled.
The Joint resolutions as amended were
adopted.
Mr.. CONFESS explained that the joint reso-
lutions give discretionary power to the Presi-
dent to transfer seamen enlisted in the army
to the navy, and TO make up crews for ships
OF war to be sent to the Pacific coasts. The
Navy Department was ready to send ships to
the Pacific coast for its protection, but by rea-
son of the great bounties paid to soldiers the
Navy Department could not get sailors, and
this provision was 10 meet the difficulty.
The Senate then went into executive eos
sion.--Adjourned.
The House passed bill providing for the
Government obtaining possession from pri-
vate owners OF Rock Island, H., on which to
erect an arsenal, as heretofore provided by
law.
Mr.. Boutwell,, from the Judiciary Commit
tee, reported bill, which was passed, enab-
ling commissioners or guardians of lunatics
appointed in the several States or foreign
countries to act within the District Of Co
lumbis.
On the earnest appeal OF Fernando Wood,
OF n. Y, the House proceeded to consider the
resolution Of the Committee on Ways and
Means, authorizing the Secretary of the
Treasury to sell the surplus gold.
Mr.. Hooper, OF Mass, In explanation, said
the amount Of gold in haad in the treasury
on Saturday last was nearly S19000,OOO. The
estimates show that this amount will, on the
LIST OF July, lbe about s37,000,0O0. The re-
quirements Of gold from now to the LIST of
July, to make payments Of interest on the
public debt, will be less than $24,0O0,OO0,
showing an excess from $l0000,00O TO Sl2..
100000, which may be sold.
Mr.. Pendleton, Of Ohio, as a member OF the
Committee on Ways and Means, differed In
opinion with the committee. The amount to
be realized would be small, and offered but
little relief The Secretary of the Treasury
now has power to buy gold, and he tPendle-
toni would not trust any officer with power to
sell gold, thus giving him an opportunity to
raise or depress the market at his own partic-
ular pleasure.
Mr.. Mallory, Of KY, announced the fact that
the Secretary has not asked for this power.
Mr.. Pendleton said that in the course Of
four month we will have TO pay an interest
more than the amount of gold on hand.
Mr.: Brooks said that by the public record
gold is solemnly pledged to pay the interest
on the public debt. IL cannot be diverted
without violation of faith. II a remedy is
sought for retrieving the treasury Of its sur
plus of gold, let the July interest on the pub
lie debt be anticipated. The President has
the sword and, through the Secretary of the
Treasury, the purse, and he stands the imper-
sonation of despotism, il he chooses to exer-
else the power At the conclusion of his re-
marks he earnestly appealed to the gentlemen
to Stand by the specie basis.
Mr.. Garfield, of Ohio, advocated the resolu-
ton, saying, that, according to his estimates,
there will be in treasury on the LIST Of July
next $50 100000 in gold over and above what
are required to pay the interest on the public
debt.
Mr. Stebbins, of n. Y, said that if the Sec
rotary of the Treasury did not propose this
bill it might have been because he supposed
that the House would appreciate its impor-
lance. He lStebbins) suggested to his friends
that when they had an opportunity to strength
en- the present financial system of the coun-
try they ought to do so.
Mr.. Boutwell,, of Mass, suggested and sup
ported an amendment he desired to offer, gfy-
ing authority to the Secretary of the Treasury
to participate the payment in gold of the interest
on the public debt at the rate of six per cent
Mr.. F. Wood said that the resolution was
only for temporary purpose, and he was OPP
posed TO it.
Mr.. kasson, of Iowa, explained that the
resolution only proposed to appropriate the
surplus gold beyond the wants of the Gov
eminent, and did not extend beyond the sums
required by law TO preserve the public faith.
Mr.. Cox, of Ohio, advocated an amend
ment, that the sale of gold shall be by bids,
with at least five days notice given.
On motion of Mr.. Stevens, of Penn, the
resolution and pending amendments were re-
committed TO the Committee on Ways and
Means, to be reported back to. morrow.
| The bill establishing Freedman's Bureau
| was taken nm and Mr. Coia IF Cal favored