The national Republican., 1861-12-10
THIRTY-sEVENTu CONGRESs,
hosDAY, DscxnBxs ., 1861.
IN SENATE.
ECoND SESSION.

United States Marshal IN answer to resolu
ton OF the 4th instant, calling for Information
In RELATION to persons now confined In the Jail
OF the city Of Washington,
Nj. DIXON presented resolutions of the
General Assembly Of Connecticut, requesting
their representatives to use their influence to
procure the rep.al Of 80 much Of the act OF
The late special session, entitled "An act to
provide increased revenue from imports and
for other purposes es imposes tax upon the
" income OF the several residents of the
United States.
Also, from the same, relating to uniform
decimal system Of weights, and measures and
currencies.
large number Of memorials, etc., were pre-.
septed and appropriately referred.
RESOLUTIONS ADoPTED.
On motion by Mr.. SUMNER,
Resolped, That all the memorials and resolu.
.tions Of State Legislatures and other papers
now on the hles Of the Senate, relating to the re-
oognition of Hayt and Ltberix, be taken from
the nles and referred to the Committee on For.
eign Relations. us...
On motion by Mr.. WILKINSON,
Rescued, That the Secretary of the Treasury
be directed to inform the Senate whether the
Treasury Department have q special agent in
the State of Minnesota, for what purpose such
agent was appointed, how long he has held such
appointment, what compensation he has re.
ceived, and out Of what fund the same was
paid.
On motion by Mr.. CLARKE,
Resolred, That the marshal of the District of
Columbia be directed TO inform the Senate by
what authority he receives slaves into the jair
Of the District at the request of their masters
and holds them in confinement until discharged
by their masters.
RESOLUTIONS SUBMITTED.
Mr.. HALE then submitted the following
Resolued, That the Committee on the Judi.
ciary be instructed to inquire into the expe.
dency and propriety of abolishing the present
judicial system of the United States, and estab.
fishing instead thereof another judicial system
in pursuance of the provisions Of the Constitu
ton, which, in the opinion of Congress, will
meet the requirements of the Constitution.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
The following bills were introduced by their
titles and referred to appropriate committees:
By Mr.. DIXON: A bill to amend an act to
incorporate the Columbia Institution for the
OF the deaf and dumb and blind
and to make appropriation for the benefit
thereof
Also, q bill to restore Lieut.. NJ, B. Woolsey
to the active service list of the navy.
By Mr.. WILSON: A bill relative to courts.
martial in the army. ...
Also, u Ulll W pTOViut LOT dllOtneuG Certl1-
Gates among the volunteer forces.
By MIR. GRIMES: A bill to further promote
the efficiency Of the navy.
BY Mr.. LANE, of Kansas; A joint resolution
directing the Secretary of War to accept and
equip certain mounted troops.
By Mr. FESSENDEN: A bill to provide for
the granting Of certain land titles In the late
disputed territory 10 the State Of Maine, and
for other purposes. ..
By Mr.. HALE: A bill authorizing the ap-
pointment of Director General of Ordnance
in the navy, aud for other purposes.
By Mr. HARLAN: A bill to secure home
steads to actual settlers on the public domain,
and for other purposes.
By Mr.. HARRIS: A bill to provide for the
projection Of the public property iu the City OF
Washington from destruction by fire.
By Mr.. POMEROY: A bill to provide for
the granting Of pensions and issuing of land
warrants to the volunteers militia, and regular
army employed 10 suppressing rebellion in
certain States.
Also, bill authorizing the construction of a
horse railroad through certain avenues and
streets in Washington and Georgetown.
By Mr. HOWE: bill for the relief Of John
X. Rountree.
By Mr.. SHERMAN: A bill to amend the act
Of the Sd March, 1887, entitled "An act sup
piemCutoiy'to W tho uSt CubtiCu du dCb W dLl6uu
the judicial system of the United States"
Mr.. LANE, OF Indiana, offered an amendment
to the bill for the more effective organization of
the courts of the United States In the districts
Of Kentucky aud Missouri; which was referred
with the bill, to the Committee on the Judi.
ciary.
NEW FORMATION or THE SUPREME COURT.
Mr.. HALE called up for consideration the
following resolutions:
Resolped, That the Committee on the Judcia.
ry be instructed to inquire into the expedency
and prOpriety Of abOlishing the present Su-
preme Court Of the United States and estab-
fishing instead thereof another Supreme Court,
in pursuance of the provisions of the Constitu
ton, which. in the opinion OF Congress, will
meet the requirements of the Constitution.
Mr.. H. explained the object OF bis resolution,
and gave his constitutional views on the ques.
ton, animadverting pretty severely upon the
present judicial system OF the United States.
Mr. FOSTER dissented from the positions
assumed by Mr.. Hale, Aud after some further
discussion.
Mr.. COLLAMER moved to amend the reso-
luton by striking out all after the word re-
solved and to insert /" that SO much Of the
Presidents annual message as relates TO the
Judiciary of the United States be referred to
the Committee on the judiciary" which was
agreed to. And the resolution as amended was
agreed to.
Mr.. CHANDLER called up Tor consideration
the following:
ResOlued, That committee of three be ap-
pointed TO inquire into the causes Of the disas
lers at Bulls Run and Edwards Ferry, with
power to send for persons and papers.
This resolution was discussed at some length
when
Mr.. GRIMES moved to amend by striking
out all after the enacting clause, and insert
ing:
THAT joint committee OF three members
of the Senate and four memf ers Of the House
of Representatives be appointed To inquire into
the conduct of the present war; that they have
power to send for persons and papers, and tC
sit during the session of either House of Con.
gress."
The motion was determined in the aflrma
tive by the following vote: yeas 80, nsys3.
On motion, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr.. BLAIR, of Missouri, presented the ere
dentas OF the delegate from Dakota.
Mr.. r. CONKLlNG, of New York, intro
duced bill to subject certain persons to mill