When Mr. E. P. Walton submitted the following resolution, viz: Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be directed to inquire into the expediency of fixing the number of the House of Representatives from and after the 3d of March, 1863, at two hundred and thirty-nine members, being the present number to be apportioned among the several States according to the act of May 23, 1850, entitled "An act providing for the taking of the seventh and subsequent censuses of the United States, and to fix the number of the House of Representatives, and provide for their future apportionment among the several States." Pending which, Mr. Lovejoy moved to amend the same by striking out the words "thirty-nine," and inserting in lieu thereof the word "fifty," and also moved the previous question. Pending which, Mr. Stevens moved that the resolution be laid on the table; which motion was disagreed to. The question then recurring on the demand for the previous question, it was seconded and the main question ordered, and under the operation thereof the said amendment was disagreed to. The question was then put, Will the House agree to the said resolution? And it was decided in the affirmative. Mr. Justin S. Morrill 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 disagreed to. Mr. Eliot submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Committee on Naval Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing by law for a temporary increase of the navy by authorizing the President to purchase or procure suitable vessels, and commission for a limited time competent and skilful commanders and officers, with leave to report by bill or otherwise. Mr. Delano submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to inquire and report as to the present capacity of the national armory at Springfield, Massachusetts, for the manufacture of arms; also, what further expenditure, if any, is necessary for operating that armory to the utmost of its capacity. Mr. Loomis submitted the following resolution, viz: Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be, and they are hereby, instructed to prepare and report to this House a bill for a public act to confiscate the property of all persons holding any office whatsoever, either civil or military, under the government of any State, or of the United States, or the so-called "Confederate States of America," who have taken up arms, or shall hereafter take up arms, against the government of the United States. Pending which, Mr. Loomis moved the previous question; which was seconded and the main question ordered, and under the operation thereof the said resolution was agreed to. Mr. Vandever presented resolutions of the legislature of the State of Iowa, asking for the location of an armory and arsenal on Rock Island, in the State of Illinois; which were referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. Spaulding presented resolutions of the legislature of the State of New York, relating to the reciprocity treaty with the British. provinces; which were referred to the Committee on Commerce. Mr. Van Wyck submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That a committee of five members be appointed by the Speaker to ascertain and report what contracts have been made by any of the departments for provisions, supplies, and transportation; for materials, and services, or for any articles furnished for the use of government without advertising for proposals, as required by the statute of 1861; the parties to whom given; the compensation and terms thereof, and the reasons therefor. Also, where proposals were received, if contracts were awarded to the lowest bidder; if not, the reason therefor. Also, whether the contracts, as let, are in accordance with the specifications inviting proposals; and if any alterations, the reasons for the same. Also, whether any person or persons have any interest in the contracts thus made and awarded, or obtained the same, or profits therefrom, except the contractors. That said committtee shall have power to send for persons and papers to administer oaths and examine witnesses, and report at any time. Mr. Duell submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and, under the operation of the previous question, agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to report a bill granting a pension to the mother of the late Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth. Mr. Diven submitted a concurrent resolution providing for the transmission of an address to the respective States of the republic, to be signed by the presiding officers of the two houses, and approved by the President; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Carlile submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the Committee on Naval Affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill providing for the ap· pointment of the full number of cadets from such States as have not now in the naval school the number to which they are entitled by existing laws; and if from any States recommendations are not made, the number shall be taken from such States in the same section of the Union as shall apply for places in said school. On motion of Mr. Upton, Resolved, That the Secretary of War be directed to instruct the officers of the army of the United States taking prisoners and releas ing them upon their oath of allegiance to the United States, to report their names and residence to him, that they may be recorded in his department. Mr. Cox submitted the following resolution, viz: Resolved, That the claim of Charles H. Upton to a seat in this House from the seventh district of Virginia be referred to the Committee of Elections, who shall examine into the regularity of his election and his eligibility as a member of Congress from the State of Virginia. Mr. Olin moved that it be laid on the table; which motion was disagreed to. The question then recurred on the resolution; and being put, it was decided in the affirmative. So the said resolution was agreed to. Mr. Holman submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Resolved, That the House, during the present extraordinary session, will only consider bills and resolutions concerning the military and naval operations of the government and the financial affairs therewith connected; and all bills and resolutions of a private character, and all other bills and resolutions not directly connected with the raising of revenue or affecting the military or naval affairs of the government, shall be referred to the appropriate committees without debate, to be considered at the next regular session of Congress. Mr. Lovejoy submitted the following resolutions, viz: Resolved, That, in the judgment of this House, it is no part of the duty of the soldiers of the United States to capture or return fugitive slaves. Resolved, That the Judiciary Committee be instructed to inquire into the expediency of the repeal of the law commonly called the fugitive slave law. And Whereas Major Emory, of the United States army, resigned his commission under circumstances showing sympathy with the rebellion against the government: Therefore Resolved, That his restoration to the service was improper and unjustifiable, and this House, in the name of the people, demand of the Executive his immediate removal. Pending which, Mr. Lovejoy moved the previous question; which was seconded, and the main question ordered to be put. When Mr. Edwards moved that the said resolutions be laid on the table. And the question being put, It was decided in the affirmative, Yeas {Nays ... 87 62 The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the members present, Those who voted in the affirmative are Mr. George H. Browne Charles B. Calvert James T. Hale Aaron Harding Richard A. Harrison Mr. John Hickman William S. Holman Mr. George H. Pendleton Elijah Ward Edwin H. Webster Mr. John F. Potter Albert G. Riddle Burt Van Horn Rob't B. Van Valkenburgh John W. Wallace Mr. Edwards 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. Hickman moved a reconsideration of the vote by which the resolution submitted this day by Mr. Holman, in relation to the business to be considered at the present session, was agreed to. Pending which, Mr. Holman moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; which motion was disagreed to. The question then recurred on the motion to reconsider; and being put, it was decided in the affirmative. The question again recurring on the said resolution, Mr. Hickman moved to amend the same by inserting after the word "connected' the words "and general questions of a judicial character." Pending which, Mr. Wickliffe moved that the resolution be laid on the table. Yeas It was decided in the negative, {X: Nays 52 101 The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the members present, Those who voted in the affirmative are Mr. Cyrus Aldrich John B. Alley Mr. Henry L. Dawes Charles Delano Reuben E. Fenton Mr. Nehemiah Perry John W. Reid William A. Richardson William G. Steele Clement L. Vallandigham Mr. James B. McKean |