of the House (H. R. 387) to establish a uniform system of bankruptcy throughout the United States, heretofore reported from the select committee on that subject, the consideration of which was postponed until this time. Pending the question on its engrossment, After debate, Mr. William Kellogg moved that the bill be laid on the table. Yeas It was decided in the negative, {Nays... 59 66 The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the members present, Those who voted in the affirmative are So the House refused to lay the bill on the table. And then, On motion of Mr. Roscoe Conkling, the further consideration of the bill was postponed until Thursday, the 15th instant, after the expiration of the morning hour. The Speaker announced as the business next in order the resolution submitted by Mr. Cox on the 5th instant, calling on the Secretary of the Treasury for his reasons for failing to answer the resolution of the House of the 16th ultimo in regard to the redemption, &c., of the loan of 1842, the consideration of which was postponed until this time. On motion of Mr. Washburne, Ordered, That the resolution be laid on the table. Mr. Washburne moved that the vote last taken be reconsidered, and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table. And the question being put on the latter motion, Yeas. It was decided in the affirmative, {Nays... 72 30 The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the members present, Those who voted in the affirmative are Mr. Thomas A. D. Fessenden Mr. Frederick A. Pike George P. Fisher Albert G. Porter Rob't B. Van Valkenburgh John W. Wallace Mr. Nehemiah Perry James S. Rollins So the motion to reconsider was laid on the table. Mr. Hooper, by unanimous consent, introduced a bill (H. R. 656) to provide a national currency, secured by a pledge of United States stock, and to provide for the circulation and redemption thereof; which was read a first and second time, referred to the Committee of Ways and Means, and ordered to be printed. Mr. McPherson, by unanimous consent, introduced a bill (H. R. 657) supplemental to the act of July 22, 1861, to authorize the employment of volunteers to aid in enforcing the laws and protecting public property; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. On motion of Mr. Clements, by unanimous consent, Ordered, That an amendment proposed to be submitted by him, when in order, to the bill of the House (H. R. 288) to enlarge the Illinois and Michigan canal, and for other purposes, be printed. And then, On motion of William Kellogg, at 3 o'clock and 50 minutes p. m., the House adjourned. THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 1863. The following papers and memorial were laid upon the Clerk's table, under the rule: By Mr. Duell: The papers relative to the claim of the Delaware Indians for losses of property; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. By Mr. Sedgwick: Memorial and resolutions of the city of Newport, Rhode Island, tendering Coaster's Harbor island to the United States government as a site for the Naval Academy; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. Mr. Washburne, by unanimous consent, introduced a bill (H. R. 658) to promote the efficiency of the commissary department; which was read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. Holman moved, at 12 o'clock and 15 minutes p. m., that the House adjourn; which motion was disagreed to. Mr. Stevens, from the Committee of Ways and Means, reported a bill (H. R. 659) to provide ways and means for the support of the government; which was read a first and second time, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, ordered to be printed, and, by unanimous consent, made a special order for Monday next, the 12th instant. Mr. Stevens also, by unanimous consent, submitted an amendment to the said bill (H. R. 659;) which was ordered to be printed. Mr. Fenton, from the Committee of Claims, to whom was referred the bill of the Senate (S. 375) for the relief of William A. Evans, reported the same with a recommendation that it do not pass. Ordered, That it be laid on the table. Mr. Fenton, from the same committee, to whom was referred the bill of the Senate (S. 103) for the relief of John Skirving, reported the same without amendment. Ordered, That it be committed to a Committee of the Whole House, made the order of the day for to-morrow, and printed. A message from the Senate, by Mr. Forney, their Secretary: Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed a bill and joint resolution of this house of the following titles, viz: H. Res. 125. Joint resolution to grant the use of a portion of Judiciary square for a free library and reading-room for soldiers, without amendment; and H. R. 608. An act prescribing the times and places for holding terms of the circuit court for the districts of Iowa, Minnesota, and Kansas, with amendments; in which I am directed to ask the concurrence of this house. The Senate have also passed bills of the following titles, viz: S. 421. An act to forfeit the pay of absent officers of the army, and for other purposes; and S. 432. An act in relation to bounty pay and emoluments to volunteer soldiers in certain cases; in which I am directed to ask the concurrence of this house. The President of the United States has notified the Senate that he did, on the 6th instant, approve and sign a bill and joint resolution of the following titles, viz: S. 419. An act to improve the organization of the cavalry forces; and S. Res. 110. A resolution in relation to certain maps. On motion of Mr. Maynard, by unanimous consent, the privilege of occupying seats upon the floor of the House was allowed to Messrs. Flanders and Hahn pending the consideration of their respective claims to seats as members from the State of Louisiana. Mr. Ely, from the Committee on Invalid Pensions, submitted a report in the case of Mrs. Frances H. Plummer; which was laid on the table, and ordered to be printed. All the committees having been called, The Speaker announced as the regular order of business the following resolution submitted yesterday by Mr. Hutchins, viz: Resolved, That the thanks of this house are hereby tendered to Major General B. F. Butler for his energetic, able, and humane administration during his command of the department of the Gulf. The pending question being on the demand for the previous question, it was seconded and the main question ordered and put, viz: Will the House agree to the said resolution? And it was decided in the affirmative, Yeas.. Nays.. 83 28 The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the members present, Those who voted in the affirmative are Mr. Hutchins moved that the vote last taken be reconsidered, and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; which latter motion was agreed to. Mr. Blake submitted the following resolutions; which were read, and their further consideration postponed until Wednesday next, the 14th instant, viz: Resolved, That this house earnestly desires the most speedy and effectual measures taken to put down the rebellion; that any propositions for peace or cessation of hostilities at this time on any terms other than an unconditional submission of the rebels now in arms against the government to the requirements of the Constitution and laws would be pusillanimous and traitorous; that the members of this house do hereby give the most earnest assurances to the people of the United States that they will cheerfully co-operate with the President as commander-in-chief of the army and navy in any measures he may deem proper, sanctioned by the Constitution and the laws of civilized warfare, to strengthen the military power of our gallant soldiers in the field defending the government, and to weaken that of the enemy laboring to destroy it. Resolved, That the only alternative government can or ought at this time to offer to rebels is, submit or be conquered. Ordered, That the said resolutions be printed. |