The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-12-04
LATEST NEW S
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE
PORTLAND DAILY PRESS.
Tuesday Morning. December 4, 1856.
xxx OONGREss---sEO0ND SESSION.
WASHINGTON, Dec.

WASHINGTON, Dec 8.
SENATE.
The Senate was called to order at II o'clock
precisely by Mr.. Foster, President pro tenn,
and prayer by the Chaplain Rev. DR.. Gray, of
the Baptist Church. -
The Chair laid before the Senate the creden-
tials of Mr.. Poland elected to fill the unexpir-
ed term of Mr.. Callamer until March 4th, 1867;
also the credentials of Mr.. Edmands, for the
unexpired term of Mr. FOote, until March 4th,
1862
Mr.. Fessenden presented the credentials of
Messrs. Cattel and Frelinghuysen, the former
Senator elect, and the latter Senator appoint
ed from New Jersey.
Messrs. Edmands, Poland, Cattel and Fre-
linghuysen came forward and took the requir-
ed oath of Office.
MIR. Cragan presented the credentials of Geo.
G. Fogg, appointed to fill the vacancy occa-
stoned by the resignation of Mr.. Clark, whose
term expires on the 4th of March, 1867.
Mr.. johnson presented the credentials of
David G. Burdett and O. NJ Roberts, Senators
elect from Texas, which were ordered to lie up
on the table
Mr.. Anthony presented the following reso-
lutions which were severally adopted:
ResotUed, That the Secretary inform the
House that quorum OF the Senate is assem-
bled: that the hour for the meeting OF the SEN
ate be II o'clock until otherwise ordered; that
a committee of two be appointed to join COM
mittee of the House, and wait upon the Presi-
dent to receive his message.
Mr.. Fogg, the Senator appointed from New
Hampshire, came forward and took the pre-
scribed oath.
Messrs. Anthony and Nesmith were appoint
ed a committee on the part of the Senate to
wait upon the President.
Mr.. Summer said if there was no business
before the Senate, he would move to call up
the Senate bill No. l, an act to regulate the
elective franchise in the District of Columbia
The motion to take up the bill was put, and
decided by the Chair to be lost.
Mr.. Sumner-One word before that vote is
taken. 1t will be remembered that this bill
was introduced on the first day of the last ses-
sion, and that it was the .subject of repeated
discussion in this Chamber, and that it was
more than once referred to the Committee on
the District of Columbia, by whose chairman it
was reported back to the Senate. At several
different stages of the discussion we were told
we were about to reach final vote. The coun-
Unexpected that vote. 1t was not had. 1t
ought to have been had. And now, sir, 1 think
that the very best way is for the Senate, in the
very first hour of its coming together, to put
that bill ON its passage. 1t has boen thorough
ly debated. Every Senator has made up his
mind on the question, and nothing more is to
be said on either side. 6 o far as I am concern
ed, sir, / am perfectly willing that the vote be
taken without one further word Of discussion,
and think the Senate ought not to allow the
bill to be postponed.
After further discussion Mr.. johnson raised
the question of order - whether the bill was
properly before the Senate, under the rules
The rule relating to the bills of previous ses-
sion was read, and it was decided that no bill
of the kind could come up until after the 9th
day of the session. So the bill to regulate the
elective franchise in the District of Columbia
went over for the present. s. s-
Mr. Chandler introduced resolution call
ing upon the President for the following in
formation: whether the French Emperor has
complied with his agreement to withdraw one
third of the French troops in November, and
whether any number of said troops have been
withdrawn, and whether as it appears, no
troops have been withdrawn, and whether the
French Emperor has offered any explanation
of his course; also what action the Govern
ment had taken to have an understanding
with the French Emperor.
Mr.. Sumner objected, and the bill went over.
Mr.. Morgan gave notice that ne should at an
early day introduce bill in relation to the
employment of naval apprentices in the COM
mereial marine of the United States.
Mr.. Lane offered a resolution instructng the
Committee on Printing to enquire into the ex-
pediency of making the Office of Superintend-
ent of Public Printing elective by concurrent
vote of both houses.
The Chair said it could not go to the commit
tee, as no committee had yet been formed, and
so ordered to lie on the table for the present.
Mr.. Pomeroy introduced a resolution, which
was adopted, instrueting the Secretary of the
Senate to pay to the widow of James H. Lane
Senator Sherman presented bill to prevent
the illegal appointment of officers of the United
States.
The above was ordered to lie on the table un-
til the committee was appointed.
The Senate took a recess till quarter past
one. sluI
In reassembling, Mr.. Anthony, on behalf of
the committee to wait upon the President, in
formed the Senate the committee had discharg-
ed the duty entrusted to it, and the President
a,--.t1, fxrn
writing Immediately.
A message was received from the House an
nouncing the passage of an act to repeal sec
ton Is of act to suppress instructions, &c.
While the Senate was waiting for the Presi-
dents message, Mr.. Chandler moved for the
reading of its title.
Mr.. johnson objected to the present oonsid-
Grafton of the bill and it went over.
AT LAO the Presidents private Secretary,
Robert johnson, arrived, and the message was
then read by the Secretary OF the Senate, John
w. Forney.
At the conclusion of the reading Mr.. Antho-
ny offered resolution for printing the message
and 5000 extra copies. Adopted.
The annual report OF the Secretary OF the
Treasury was laid before the Senate by the
President pro tenn. after which, at 2.25, the
Senate adjourned. .I.
The proceedings opened with prayer by the
Chaplain. After which, the roll OF members
was called, when 146 members answered to
their names.
Three new members were sworn in from
Tennessee, and two from Kentucky.
A committee was appointed to wait upon the
President and inform him that Congress had
assembled and was ready to receive any COM
munieation.
Mr.. Elliott asked leave TO introduce bill to
repeal the 18th section of the act of July IL,
1862, which section authorizes the President to
grant pardon and amnesty to persons who took
part in the rebellion.
Mr.. Finck objected, and the rules were sus-
pended so as to allow the bill to be introduced.
AT IL o'clock 80 minutes Mr.. Mcpherson,
Clerk of the House, announced that the House
was ready to proceed to business, and had ap-
pointed Messrs. Morrill, Washburne and Finck
to wait on the President.
Mr.. Elliott's bill was then put on its passage,
and passed by vote of Ill to 20.
A resolution was adopted calling for informa-
ton as to the arrest and escape of John III. Sur
ratt
A bill was introduced and referred, directing
the sale of two millions of gold by the Secreta-
ry of the Treasury every Monday:
Also, bill for the meeting of Congress on
the 4th of March.
The Presidents message was then received.
Mr.. Stevens moved to postpone the reading
of it until tomorrow
The motion was rejected, and the Clerk pro-
ceeded to read the message.
Mr.. Stevens introduced bill to regulate re-
movals from Office. 1t was made the special
order of the day for Friday next
On motion of Mr.. Lawrence, of Ohio, the
judiciary Committee was instructed to inquire
into the expediency of providing a mode of
procedure in cases of impeachment.
Mr.. Schenck introduced bill to equalize the
bounties of soldiers, sailors and marines, which
was referred to the Comm ittee ON Military Af-
fairs.
Mr.. Schenck also introduced bill to fix the
time for the regular meeting of Congress.
which was made the special order for Deem
ber 11th.
Mr.. Kelley introduced bill to organize a de-
partment to be called the Department of the
Internal Revenue. Read twice and referred
to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Ancona offered a resolution di recting the
Committee on Ways and Means to report a bill
providing for the adjustment of the rates of ex-
emptiOn for the income tax. Referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means.
On motion of Mr.. Miller, the Committee on
and Means yzas instrpi tod To e1,nuirc in