The Portland daily press., 1865-02-09
xxxvllI coNaaHss- Second Session.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Feb8.
The bill relating to post laws was taken up
and considered.
The bill relating to post laws contains seven
teen sections, and provides that letters Lack
ing prepayment OF only one rate Of postage
shall be forwarded, the collection of unpaid
postage to be on delivery. Those wanting
more than one rate of postage to be returned
to the writers. After the first of Jan. 1866,
postage on newspapers and periodicals Is to
be prepaid. 1t increases compensation to
newspapers for printing lists of letters to two
cents. 1t authorizes the appointment of an
other special agent for the Paciic States and
territories, and two additional special agents
for the railway postal service. 1t authorizes
the Postmaster General to have the mails
transported by sea, paying therefore by Ameri-
can vessels the sea and inland postage, and if
by foreign vessels, the sea postage.
IL prohibits vessels taking letters, which
have not been through the post office, unless
they are enclosed In stamped envelopes. Year
ly advertisements for proposals to be printed
six weeks In from one TO five newspapers OF
the State or territory where the mail service is
to be performed. 1t establishes free delivery
in every city containing $4,000 people, and
prepayment on drop letters to be one cent.
Mr.. Collamore explained the bill. he said
~ was AOs PAOPO0OA W lAoAo uCWSpdpeI pun
fishers printing immense calculations prepay
with stamps, but it was probable the post
masters would order prepayment on sworn
statements from the subscription books.
message was here received that the House
was ready to receive the Senate for Joint con-
vention to hear the certificates of election Of
President and Vice President read.
The Senate then marched to the Hall of the
House of Representatives.
After their return from the House, the Sem
ate agreed to the appointment of joint COM
mittee to inform Mr.. Lincoln ofhis election.
After q lengthy debate as to the matter of
an attack on the administration, Mr.. Summers
resolution calling for report from the Presi-
dent of his interview with the rebel peace
commissioners was adopted.
Nothing particularly new was involved In
the discussion. sssa
The bill in relation to the postal law was
again considered. The section requiring pre-
payment OF postage on newspapers, and
periodicals was stricken out, and the bill pas
sed.
The bill to establish bridge over the Ohio
river at Louisville passed.
Mr.. Wade called up the bill defining the
boundries of Nevada, which takes one degree
from the territory of Utah, and adds il to
Nevada.
Pending it consideration, the Senate ad-
journed.
HOUSE.
A motion was adopted requesting the Presi-
dent to furnish information relative to the
recent peace conference,
A select committee was appointed to inquire
into the charges Of corruption against the
commissioner OF patents.
The Senate then entered, the members of
the House rising to receive them. The Vice
President took his seat and presided over the
Convention of the two Houses. The Vice
President said 1t became his duty under the
Constitution to opsn the certificates of election
in the presence of the two Houses. The first
certificate opened was Maine, then New
Hampshire, then the others in order.
All the certificates having been read, Sena-
tor Cowan asked whether there were any fur
Their returns? ifso, why they were not sub.
mitted to the joint Convention.
The Vice President replied that he had in
his possession certificates from Louisiana and
Tennessee, but they could not be laid before
the Convention, having been excluded by a
joint resolution adopted.
The result was then announced. President
Lincoln was then declared elected President.
and Mr., johnson, Vice President for four
years from the 4th Of March next.
The announcement was followed by APP
plause In the galleries and on the floor. The
Houses then separated, the Senate retiring
TO their own chamber, when the House adj
journed.