The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-05-18
xXXVIII CONGREss---First Session.
WASHINGTON, May II

SENATE.
On motion of Mr.. Grimes, a resolution was
adopted that the Secretary Of the Navy be re-
quested to communicate to the Senate the
proceedings and finding of the Wilkes court
martial.
The bill equalizlng the pay of soldiers in the
army was taken up as unfinished business, and
the amendments OF the Military committee to
the House bill generally adopted.
An amendment to the Senate committees
amendment, liking the salary of the Judge
Advocate General at $1,000, and that OF the
Assistant Judge Advocate at $500, without
any other rank or pay, was adopted
Mr.. Powell offered amendment, provid-
ing that the soldiers shall be paid the oquiva-
lent of their former pay in gold. Rejected
ayes 6, nays %.
Mr. Powell offered proviso that the pro-
visions Of the bill shall not apply TO negro sol
diers. Rejected, ayes g. NAYS 26.
The bill was then passed.
Mr. Harris, from the judiciary Committee.
reported the bill TO authorize the Secretary of
the Treasury to slipulate for the release from
attachment or other process, property claimed
by the United States, with an amendment
providing that nothing in the bill shall be con-
sidered as recognizing any right TO enforce
said seizure or attachment or as waving any
objection to any proceeding TO enforce such
claim.
Mr.. Henderson offered resolution direct
ing the Secretary of the Treasury to commu-
nieate TO the Senate statement showing the
full amount of the public debt, with details
thereof, and copies and full reports of banks,
associations, &c, doing banking business.
The Senate then considered the bill TO ex-
pedite the public printing, providing for the
Transmission by heads of departments to a
joint committee of Congress, on or previous
TO the LIST of November, of their reports and
accompanying documents, said committee to
select the portions thereof desirable to be
printed for popular distribution.
The amendment making it the duty of
heads OF departments to furnish the superin-
tendents OF public printing with copies of
their reports on or before the third Monday
in November, was adopted.
Without further action the Senate ad-
journed.
HOUSE
The House acted upon the report OF the
committee OF conference on the disagreeing
amendments TO the navy appropriation bill.
Among those agreed to were :-S75, 900 for
completing the hospital at Ware Island sl5,-
600 for the purchase of cemetery for the
navy and marine corps near Philadelphia; al
tering the appropriation of 1868 of So, 900
for floating dry deck and navy yard, so as
to give sz5O,OO0each for dry docks in New
York and Philadelphia, aHd apply the balance
TO enlarge the sectional dock to receive the
largest vessels now built
On motion of Mr. Rice, of Mass, the Sec
rotary Of the Navy was called on for all the
proceedings OF the court OF inquiry in the case
OF Com. Wilkes.
The House then considered the contested
election cases of Segur and Chandler OF vir-
ginia, whom the committee declare not en-
titled to seats.
Mr.. Segur spoke In his own behalf
Mr.. Chandler also advocated his claim TO
seat.
BY vote Of % against %, the House de-
cided that Mr.. Segur was entitled 10 a seat
from the lst district Of Virginia, and also that
Mr. Chandler is not entitled TO seat from the
% district OF Virginia.
Adjourned.