Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-05-26
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.
THURSDAY, MAY 10, 1864.

In the SENATE bill reported by Mr. CowAN from the
Committee Finance to amend the act extending the
time for the withdrawal goods bond ut San Francisco
and for other purposes approved February 30 1864
considered and passed Mr. CowAN, from the com
mttee also reported bill to indemnify persons for loss Of
property from Sioux Indian depredaons, with recon-
mendaton that pass II not at that time considered
Mr.. HARDING, from the Committee Public Lands
ported bill amend the act of September 81 1850 in
relation to donation settlers upon public lands in Caor
MIA, and it was passed.
Mr.. MORRILL,, from the committee OF conference the
dsagreeing votes Of the two Houses the bill for the
erection Of the Territorial Government Of Montana made
report recommending that the Senate recede from its
amendment striking out the words every free white
habtant in regard to voters and inserting all citizens
of the u States go. On motion to adopt the report
of the committee considerable debate took place between
Messrs. HALE and SUMNER, in opposition to the motion,
and Messrs. MORRILL, and WADE in favor of it, The
ton finally prevailed.
Mr.. FEssENDEN from the Finance Committee reported
the bill from the House the internal revenue
with various amendments thereto which were ordered to
be printed.
The Pacific railroad bill further discussed amend
usnts proposed thereto bat disposed of when the
Senate adjourned.
The HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, passed the Indian
respecting speeches made in recent debates the consde
ration of the reciprocity bill resumed. Mr.. PIKE
spoke favor of abrogatng the existing treaty this
subject and Mr.. ARNOLD advocated modification thereof
The bill was still pending at the time of adjournment.
FRIDAY, MAY 20, 1864
In the SENATE a bill was introduced by Mr. WILSON
which proposes authorize the President to call the
United States service by draft for period exceeding
year. such number of the exgences OF the
may require 1t was referred to the Committee on
Military Affairs.
Mr.. CoLLAMER called up the bill to authorize the
establishment of ocean mail steamship service be-
tween the United States and Brazil the pending question
being the amendment Of Mr. WILKINSON to carry
contract between the Government of Venezuela and
tain citizens of New York for semi-monthy line from
that city to Laguayra and other Venezuelan ports touch
ing at ST. Thomas Mr. WILKINSON said if we were to
establish line with the slave empire of Brazil ought
also to embrace this opportunity of extending
merce with the free Republic of Venezuela. Mr. Col
LAMER urged, heretofore, that this bill for Brazil should
stand alone and deprecated this brRgng of the slavery
| subject into every question. The amendment re-
ected and after further debate general merits
of the measure, it laid over.
The consideration Of the Pacific railroad bill was re-
sumed and the discussion theron continued until the
Senate closed it's doors and proceeded to the consideration
of Executive business.
The HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES agreed to the re-
port of the committee of conference reference the
agreeing votes of the two Houses relative negro suffrage
in the Territory Of Montana Mr.. WEBSTER made the
report He stated that the Senate had amended the bill
so allow coored persons VOTE but that the report
confined suffrage to white male citizens of the United
States and those who have declared their intention
become such. The report concurred in-yeas I02,
nays &C. The Senate having previously concurred in this
report the bill providing Territorial Government for
Montaas requires only the signature Of the President to
become a law.
Much of the day occupied in the consideration OF
private bills, number Of which were, passed.
During the day the Hon 4. c. INGEBsoLL, Repre-.
sentative from Illinois, introduced and took his
He fills the Vacancy caused by the death of the HnOwen
| Lovejoy.
The House adjourned to Monday, 10 pursuance Of
solution introduced by Mr. HOLMAN of Indiana in order
that the members may have leisure to visit wounded off,
and soldiers from their respective districts aud
that they are properly cared for.
SATURDAY, MAY 81, 1864
In the SENATE the first business the presentation
by Mr. LANE of the credentials Of VIM. M. FsHBLATT
elected Senator from Arkansas by the General Assembly
Of that State the 18th instant to GIL the pred term
of Wn. A. Sebastian, resigned. Mr.. SALISBURY sug-
gesed that they should be referred to the Committee
the Judiciary TO inquire into the validity of the election
Mr. CoNSEss moved to refer the credentials and at
the suggestion of Mr. LANE the consideration Of the
lion was postponed until Monday.
Mr.. FooT called up the bill relating to the office Of
Commissioner of Public Buildings. He stated that it had
been twice before under consideration 10 the Senate and
left unfinished He repeed the objection that had been
made in the BILL that it attack on the Secretary Of
the Interior, and explained that il merely legitimate
matter Of saving above FIVE thousand dollars per
the Government expense which had been incurred by
the appointment by the Secretary Of general supernen-
dent of the Capitol Extension, which he held without
hority OF law, and entirely useless, all the duties
this could be dsch urged by the Commissioner
of Public Buildings, proposed in the BILL He held as
ridiculous the arguments heretofore made in defence of
the present superintendent that because large amounts
of expenditure had been made during cera mouths of
thereto therefore advantage and economy resulted TO the
Government He did not desre to indicate that the super
nendent appointed by the Secretary of Interior was
not young gentleman OF fair abilities, good drauRbts
and penman aud had given his services some way
all the while to the Government but il be was credbly
informed, that gentleman had Ia wise given practical
and superntendeDce to the progress this great
and costly work to any consider able extent time IL
the gentleman must be provided for under the
for that appeared to be the question: he hoped IL
would be other EN- ployment this Mr. LANE,
of Indiana indicated his intention to make some reply TO
these remarks hereafter, and the bill was laid over
The Pacific railroad bill then up as the unfinished
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