The Portland daily press., 1864-03-22
BY TELEGRAPH
rOTHE
Portland Daily Press.
XXXVIII OONGREss---First Session.
WASHINGTON. March 21.
GEM TN

| SENATE.
After the presentation of various memorials.
Mr.. Wilson called up the bill to promote en-
| listments.
The motion to recommit was lost, Ia to %.
| Mr.. Wilson modified his amendment so as
to read wife, or the woman recognized as
SUCH" lie also withdrew the second section
| giving compensation to loyal owners
MI. Davis offered an amendment that the
| United States District Courts shall appoint
three Commissioners to appraise and award
| compensation to loyal owners of slaves freed
| by this bill.
Mr.. Davis advocated his amendment. claim
ing that the bill was unconstitutional, mas
much as the government under its provisions
could not take property without giving COM
| pensation to its owners.
Mr.. Wilkinson favored the bill as one of the
instruments TO work out emancipation, and
should vote for it, deeming it necessity.
| After long discussion, without taking ac-
] ton the Senate went into executive session
and subsequently adjourned.
HOUSE.
MIR. Holman, of Ind, from the committee on
Claims, reported a resolution setting forth
that certain public lands had been donated TO
the Illinois Central Railroad Company, the
Burlington & Missouri, and the Missouri &
Mississippi Railroads, on the condition that
they would transport the mails and troops of
as, the first named has received $4,000, the
second $4,000, and the third $40 from the War
Department for the transportation of troops,
DC, therefore resolved, that the Secretary of
War be directed to require the said compan-
les to refund the money so paid to them, and
that hereafter he make no such payments.
The resolution was passed.
- Mr. Dumont, of Ind, introduced bill pro-
viding that all bonds, obligations and under
takings, whether sealed or unsealed, hereafter
made or 70 be made, to secure the loyalty or
good behavior, and fidelity to their oath, of
prisoners OF war, or paroled prisoners in or
der to secure their release, be hereby declared
valid and binding against the parties making
the same and their securities, the penalties to
be enforced in any Circuit or District Court
having jurisdiction of the same. Referred to
the Judiciary Committee.
On motion of Mr.. Beaman, the committee
on Ways and Means were instructed to in
quire into the expediency of increasing the
tariff on the low grades of wool.
Mr.. Eldridge, of Wis. ,.oflered resolution
calling on President Lincoln, the Secretary of
War and Secretary of State TO furnish the
names of all persons arrested and held as pris-
oners in forts and other places OF confinement,
for political or other alleged ofenses against
the government, and who have not been tried
or convicted in any civil court, and the cause
of the arrest and Imprisonment: and also
whether any persons have been banished to
the rebellious States with or without trial.
Debate arising on the resolution, it lies over.
A resolution was adopted instructing the
committee on Public lands to inquire as to the
best mode of securing to the government the
benefits of the gold bearing regions of the
public domain.
The House then went into a Committee of
the Whole on the army appropriation BILL
Mr.. Herman, of n. T., offered an amend
ment, providing that none of the money APP
propriated for transportation shall be divert
ed TO carrying civilians to their homes, and
mentioned in this connection that he had been
informed that veterans were sent to Pennsyl-
vauia at the public expense. He wan ted to
stop such perverson of money.
Mr.. Stevens, of Penn, excitedly demanded
OF Mr.. Herman the name of the author of the
story, falling to give which the gentleman
tMr. Kerman) must be held responsible.
Mr.. Harris, of Nd advocated the amend
ment, believing that money had been thus
spent. He could believe anything of an ad-
ministraton that had sent boats into Mary
land to steal negroes.
Mr.. Kilby, of Penn, denied, as had Mr..
Stevens, that voters were sent home at gov
eminent expense, and charged that Judge
Woodward had expressed the opinion that if
there was to be division of the Union. the
dividing line should be north of PennsyIya-
mia.
Mr.. Bramall, of Penn, confirmed this, but
said that Judge Woodward expressed that
opinion before any State had seeded.
Mr.. Steele, Of Penn, said this SANDER had
been refuted and denied
Mr.. Gooch, Of Mass, noticing remark of
Mr.. Herman, defended the committee on the
Conduct of the War from the charge of being
a whitewashing committee,
Messrs. Miller and Kelley, both of Penn.
had lively tilt Of a somewhat personal char
acter.
Mr.. Kermans amendment was lost by
twenty-one majority.
An amendment to the West Point Academy
bill, increasing the pay Of Cadets to $40 per
month, was concurred in. .-..
An amendment to the same bill, providing .
for the appointment of an additional Cadet
from each district, was also concurred in.
The Senate bill indemnifying the owners OF
the French ship La Manche. was passed.
A bill providing for the education OF engin-
GERS and constructors at the Naval Academy,
was introduced and referred.
A resolution was passed directing the COM
mittee on pensions to inquire into the expedi-
ency OF legislation relative TO equalizng mill
tary and naval pensions.
The army approximation bill passed nearly
as reported.-Adjourned.