The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-12
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.
wEpxEepAy, DscsNuER n. 1850
SENATE.

SENATE.
Mr.. HALE presented a memorial from citizens
of New Hampshire praying that congress VIII
modify the laws regulating military puhlshnents.
He said that this petition was prepared IN cohse-
qucnce of the proceedings which look place AT
court rtial recently held in that State, where
private soldier tried on the charges OF insubor-
dination and disUbedience OF orders. The sentence
passed by the court communicated TO the Sen
ate by the Secretary of War, in reply 10 fesolu-
ton Of the Senate calling for the proceedings Mr..
H. read the and its substance was that the
convicted soldier should forfeit all pay shoula nave
n twenty. four pound ball attached to his legs by
chain, and should wear around his neck collar
containing seven prong5, each prong 10 DC seven
inches long, and to suffer imprisonment; thls pun
shulcnt TO continue for the space OF one year he
moved the reference of the petition ana oil inc re-
cord to the Committee Military Affairs ana 'hat
the record be printed. .
much whether this petition was based on any thing
than some of that false philanthropy which
was common among those VINO were iehor"h'
OF the subject 10 which they addressed themselves
The sentence which was passed by the court mar
tial had not been executed, and tue Senate were
now called upon publish the record OF the court
10 20 out in connexion with this petition, without
having any opportunity afforded the officers com.
posing the court set forth the reasons why such
sentence passed. The Senate had no iniorma-
ton as to the state of subordpaton In the garrison
where this soldier was OF the necessity Tor this
sentence in order preserve discipline In the gar
rison. All these things he considered should be ex
ahmed by committee OF the Senate before THIS re-
cord Was printed For these reasons ne hoped the
motion to print would not prevail until the com
mittee should have had time to examine the subject
and TO report upon it.
Mr.. HALE said that he hoped at some time or
another 10 see some true philanthropy. Every
thing Of that sort attempted since he had been III
Congress had been styled by its opponents false
philanthrophy. The sentence of the court had
been partly carried into effect. Ii approved by
the officer who called the court martial 1t, how
ever, subsequently came under the eye of the Com
mander- chief General Scott, and he RENTED
that part OF the sentence relating TO wearing the
iron necklace, with the seven inch prongs.
The petition and the record of the court were
then referred to the Committee on Military Affairs
and the motion to print to the Committee on Print
ing.
A WESTERN ARMoRY.
Mr. BENTON, pursuant TO notice, introduced
bill to authorize the President Of the United States
TO select a site for Western armory and TO pro-
cure the same, and to commence the construction
of the armory. Alter PLANTATION of the bill by
Mr.. b, il referred to the Committee Mill
tary Affairs.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
Mr.. HUNTER submitted the following resolu
tion, which was considered and agreed TO:
Resolped. That ,he Committee on Finance be au-
thorized to employ clerk during the present SEES
sion OF Congress 1t the compensation usually paid
heretofore to clerks ofcommlttees of the Senate
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
Mr.. PEARCE, pursuant to notice, introduced the
following Joint resolution, which, by unanimous
consent, was considered read third time, and
passed.
Be IL resolved By the Senate and House of Repre-
sentati1ss Of the United States Of -iHerca Con-
ress assembled That the vacancies in the Board o!
Regents OF the Smithsonian Institution of the class
''oJher than members of Congress" be filled by the
reappointinent of the late incumbents viz: Rich
ard Rush, OF Pennsyi ania, and Joseph G.. Totem
ot the city OF Washington.
DEATH THE HON. AMOS 4. WOOD.
message was received from the House, an
nouncing The death Of the Hon. Amos T.. Woop
and the proceedings of the House thereon which
being read
MIR. CHASE said; Mr.. President, on a former
occasion II vas my melancholy duty to announce
tie death Of the Representa- of the 9th Congress
s.onai district Of Ohio in this Congress. II de-
wolves to advise the Senate Of the decease of
the Hon. Amos Z. WooD, who was elected TO FIJI
the vacancy thus created.
Having discharged his duties well and faithfully
during the late protracted session, he returned
home TO mingle with MS constituents, and receive
their welcome and approval. After a brief soourn
among theIni he prepared TO return to his place
and duty here; and the eve Of setting out
when he was suddenly summoned 10 join the great
assembly in the halls Uf death. The partner OF his
bosom had preceded him 10 the world Of spirits
band Of interesting children survive to lament
their Urphanage.
Mr.. Woop born in jefferson county, New
York. In 1925, when he was about fifteen years
old. he removed with his father 10 Portage county
In Ohio. He was afterwards, for nearly Two yeafs
II member Of the family Of his near relative the
present Governor Of the State. In 1888 he settled
permanently IN NOOdyllle, in Sandusky county
aud = citizen VI that place at the time of his
death. lie died at Fort Wayne, Indiana whittier
he had gone for the purpose Of placing two Of his
children at school, on the 18th Of November Just
pact.
Mr. WOOD commenced life without fortune
aud without liberal education. Intelligent and
persevcring industry, however, supplied the one,
while clear and vigorous understanding, enlarged
aud improved by reading, observation, and rei.ec.
ton, co,npensated for the want Of the other.
lie was decided in his opinions, and immoyeabe
in his adherence what believed to be the ripht
This quality, as much as any other, and perhaps
more than any other, attracted 10 him the large
measure Of public confidence which he enjoyed |
Twice he represented the district of which his
county wac part IN the State House Of Represen-
tauves, and once, for a term Of two years in the
State Senate. In lsi9 he elected to Congress |
receiving about five thousand majority. 10 the |
hour Of his death he retained the confidence he had
won. lie was an honest, earnest, fearless man;
true to hs principles, true to his friends true u his
country.
lie died in the prime Of a useful and honorable
lie. Suddenly, at noon, was hIs sun cast down
from heaven. ] mourn the death Of a sincere
friend; family weep for an afectionate and be- ]
loved father has constituents deplore the loss OF
faithful aud efficient representative. The House
Of which he was n member, have manifested their
appreciation OF hIs worth by the adoption of the
resolutions, which have just been read your Ia.
bic. invite the Senate 70 Join in this deserved
tribute Of respect to he memory by the adoption Of
the resolutions which now send to the Chair
The resolutions were then read follows and
were unauimously adopted:
Rss0iu d, That the Senate receives with sincere
regret the announcement Of the death Of the Hon
AMOS r.. WOOD, late member Of the House OF
Representatives. from the State Of Ohio and tenders
70 the relatives Of the deceased the assurance Of
their sympathy with them under the bereavement
they have Jccn called To sustain.
Resoived, That the Secretary Of tho Senate be
directed TO transmit TO the family Of Mr.. WOOD a
certified copy Of the foregoing resolution.
The Senate, on motion, adjourned.
HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES,
ASSoUScENEST o. THE DEATH OF AR. WOOD.
Immediately after the reading Of the journal