XXXVIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, March 3.

HOUSE. – Mr. Dawes, from committee on elections, made a report on the petition of S. Ferguson Beach asking to be admitted to a seat as Representative from the 7^th congressional district of Virginia.  The committee append to it a resolution that Mr. Beach is not entitled to a seat.  The subject was laid over.

Mr. Stevens, from the committee on ways and means, reported a bill providing internal revenue for the support of the government and to pay the interest on the public debt.  Referred to the committee of the whole, and made the special order one week from next Tuesday.

Mr. Stevens said as considerable impatience had been expressed by the public at the delay in reporting the bill, he desired to say that the committee on ways and means did not obtain possession of the estimates and facts to enable them to judge now much revenue was necessary until the first week in January. – The committee then had before them all that were passed ten days ago, being earlier than usual in the session.  The committee were also engaged some time on the currency, including the treasury note bill.  The tax subject was referred to a special committee, which worked as assiduously as possible during every hour they were not engaged in the House.  He believed they had worked more hours every day since that time than any laborer in the U. S.  When the sub-committee completed its labors the entire committee of ways and means had gone over the bill carefully, article by article, until they unanimously adopted it. – He did not ask any commendation for the committee, but desired that when the subject came to be considered and reviewed, benevolent indulgence may be extended to them.  He desired the extra copies of the bill ordered to be printed to be distributed for the consideration of the people who are to sustain the burdens, and that they may have the benefit of their suggestions.

Mr. Sedgwick offered a resolution which was adopted, requesting the president, if not incompatible with the public interest, to furnish copies of the correspondence relative to the present condition of Mexico and the allied powers in invading Mexico to establish a monarchy.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, March 4, 1862, p. 1