The Portland daily press., 1864-02-10
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TOTHE
Portland Daily Press.
xXXVIII OONGREss---First Session.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Q.

WASHINGTON, Feb. o.
SENATE.
Mr. Sumner presented petitions of 17,106
ladies OF New York; 1880 of ILL.,; IL ,G4l of
Massachusetts and duplicate number of mails,
praying for the entire abolition OF slavery.
The introduction OF the resolution caused a
speedy debate between Messrs. Salisbury,
Sumner, Wilson, Powell, johnson and Con-
ness, In the course of which the action of the
Senate in the Crittenden compromise was dis
cussed at length.
Mr.. Sherman introduced bill, which was
referred to the Finance Committee, prohibit
ing speculations in gold, silver for foreign
exchange and for other purposes.
Mr.. Powell introduced bill amending the
constitution so as to provide new method of
eecting the President of the U. S.
Mr.. Wilson reported back the bill reviving
the grade OF Lieut.. General, with an amend
ment striking out the clause making said
officer Commander-in-C Chief, and the clause
recommending Gen. Grant for the position.
Mr.. johnson introduced a bill, transferring
Acting Assistant Paymasters in the Navy to
the regular naval service on their undergoing
a regular examination. Referred to the Ma
val Committee.
Mr.. Harris introduced a bill establishing adj
ditional judicial districts in New York. Re-
ferred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Nesmith introduced resolution, cali
ing for the record of the proceedings OF the
court martial in the city of New York for the
trial Of Assistant Surgeon Webster of the U.
S. Navy.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration
of the bill for the promotion of enlistments.
Mr.. Doolittle spoke at length, claiming that
it was the first duty of the Government to in
crease our armies. Slavery was the prelim-
nary cause of the war, and ought to be for
ever done away with.
Mr.. Richardson considered the war as thus
far carried on totally for the negro, leaving
white men, who have some civilization, totally
out Of the account. The war had been a
chapter of administration blunders.
Mr.. Wilson reported bill for the examine
tion Of certain army officers. Passed.
Adjourned.
Mr.. Hotchkiss, of New York, introduced
bill granting lands to aid in the construction
of the Lake Superior Railroad, and providing
for its use by the United States free of charge.
Mr.. Dawes, of Mass, called up the Louisi-
ana Congressional election case.
Mr.. Field resumed and spoke in favor of his
right to seat from Louisiana Mr.. Field
said that slavery had never been in his way.
He had a few slaves, but ii he had had a thou
sand, he would have sacrificed them on the
altar of his countrys good.
Messrs. Washburn of Illinois, and Deming
OF Connecticut, certified to the thorough 10y
atty of Mr.. Field.
Mr.. Granson, of n. Y, opposed the admis-
sion of Mr.. Field, and so did Mr.. Brown, of
Wisconsin, on the ground that the military
Governor had interfersd so as to prevent an
election.
Mr.. Dawes of Mass, argued that Mr. Field
had neither law nor constituency to sustain
his claim to a seat here.
The House by vote ofST against IA adopt
ed the resolution reported from the committee
on elections, that Mr.. Field is not entitled TO
seat as a representative from Louisiana.
The House then went into Committee of
the whole on the Enrolment act.
Mr.. KEENAN,, of New York, offered an
amendment, exempting from the draft clergy
men who are not engaged 10 trade or secular
business.
During the debate Mr.. Cox, of Ohio, OPP
posed the amendment, saying that the pestif-
erous clergymen Of the country ought not to
be exempted.
Mr.. Kelly, of Penn, was also opposed to the
amendment, but for different reason. lie
did not want to put an insult on the patriot
ism of clergymen.
Mr.. Spaulding, of Ohio said that no patri-
otto clergyman had asked for any such exemp-
ton. Dr. Olds' church will remedy all defects
of which his colleague, Mr.. Cox, complained.
Mr.. Cox resumed, saying the rebellion was
fernented by clergymen North and South
His colleague (Spaulding) was not the man TO
impugn his iCox's) loyalty, for he had stood
here opposing secession, while his colleague
lSpaulding) was singing anthems to John
Brown and plotting sedition and revolution.
Mr. Arnold, OF Illinois, made an earnest APP
peal not to waste time in personal disputes,
but at once to pass the bill before them, as
within thirty days the draft is ordered, and we
are about to enter campaign the most impor-
tant aud decisive since the war commenced.
Mr. Eldridge, OF Wisconsin, offered proyi-
so that the ministers have not heretofore, and
will not In future, preach politics. laugh
ter He said, ministers are Intermediates
and stirrers up of strife and mischief, and they
ought TO go to the war because they are more
fitted for that than peace.
Mr. keman's amendment was rejected
The committee disagreed TO an amendment,
20 against IA, that in assigning the quota of
troops credit shall be given to States and
counties from which men have enlisted in the
military organizations of other States for
three years or during the war.
fernando Wood, Of New York, offered an
amendment to exempt from draft all. who,
from conscientious disbelief in the humanity,
necessity, or eventual success of this war, are
opposed to its further prosecution until an ef-
fort has been made and failed to end it by ne
gotiation. Rejected, % against 103.
The amendment striking out the clause
which proposes TO consolidate the two classes
was also rejected, A. against 90.
The committee rose without concluding ac-
ton on the bill, and the house at IL O'Clock
adjourned.