Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-18
deIearapbit sletus.
CONGRESSIONAL.

were presented and referred 70 the Committee or
the Judiciary. s-r rsss =. u.s.. ...,i
Mr.. Sumner presented resolution that all me-
MORALS and papers on the files of the Senate, re.
lating 10 the recognition Of Liberia and Hayti. be
taken from the files and referred to the Commit
tee on Foreign Affairs. Agreed to. - a
Mr.. Clarke offered resolution requesting the
Marshal Of the District TO inform the Senate by
what authority he keeps slaves of the District in
jail because they are refractory. he said he had
visited the jail and found number OF slaves Of
the District confined tor no reason only because
their master or mistress sent them there because
they were refractory. The resolution was agreed
to- $50 - z-, t.f -1lfsrrt -r fi.
Mr.. Hale's resolution directing the Judiciary
Committee to inquire into the expediency Of
abolishing the present Supreme Court and estab-
fishing another was taken up.,l :. ,..l..,.a., -
He said the present Supreme Court had failed;
be believed if the rebels now arms should succeed
the Supreme Court would decide that the soldiers
now in Virginia were trespassers. rs.s
Mr.. Coilamer would substitute that portion Of
the Presidents mes age relating to the Judiciary
be referred to the Judiciary Committee. The
amendment was agreed to and the resolution as
amended was adopted. u ..s.a
On motion of Mr. Chandler, the resolution in
quiring into the causes OF the disaster of army
at Bulls Run and Balls Bluff was taken mp.
The question was on the substitute offered by
cause Of all the disasters that have happened to
the Union forces.
Mr.. Chandler said officers of the army were not
liable to impeachment; but one of our own MEM
bers has fallen, (Baker) and nobody was to
blame He thought the facts ought to be known.
He wanted the truth known regarding the disas-
tiers in Missouri, referred to BY the Senator from
Kansas. lit General Fremont is to blame, let it
be known; but if rot, in Gods naae let him be
justified. and let the country know it.
Mr.. Foster thought il best TO investigate
the subject now. Under the present cir
cumstances he thought that Congress had
better not do it. Ii military officers managed the
army badly. Congress would only make bad
matter worse by interfering. He would let the
military alone in time of war. An inquiry of
this kind would only call the men away from
higher dnty. At the proper time Congress might
make the inquiry. Mr.. Sherman believed an in
vestigation would be beneficial, especially gen.
eral inquiry into the whole conduct of the and
said he would record his solemn conviction that
before the ended slavery would almost
if not entirely cease 70 exist; but the war should
be carried on without any reference to the subject
OF slavery. Ii he could nfuse the spirit of the
people into all the departments OF the Govern
ment the would soon end.
Mr.. Wilson was glad the resolution would
| take; he thought it was time the proclamation of
officers should cease and the Government have
the sole settled policy.
We must remember that we had not the men
of great military experience. Great mistakes
ad been made and we're likely TO be made, but
he wanted it understood that the people expected
that no mistakes would be made, but that every
man give all he has and is to the country.
Mr. Latham asked for the ayes and noes.
The resolution was adopted-yeas 80, noes 3,
Messrs. Carlisle, Latham and Rice. Absent,
Messrs. Bright, Oollamer, Foot, Thompson, Viii
ley, and Wilson. Adjourned.
HOUSE.-Mr. Dawes, from the Committee on
Elections, introduced resolution, which was
passed, authorizing the contested election case of
Beach Us. Upton, in the Fairfax District of Vir-
GINA, to take evidence
Mr.. Morrill,, OF Vermont Fgaye notice of his
intention TO introduce bill donating lands TO the
mechanic arts in the establishment OF colleges.
Mr.. Richardson, from the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs, reported the following, which was
passed:
WHEREAS, The exchange of prisoners in the
present rebellion has already been practised indi
rectly. and as such exchange would not only in
crease enlistments to the vigor of our army, but
subserye the highest interests ofhumanity and as
such exchange does not involve the recognition
of the rebels: Therefore, ~
ResoLDed 5y the Senate and House of Represen
tatipes, That the President OF the United States
be requested TO inaugurate systematic measures
for the exchange OF prisoners in the present re-
bellion.
On notion it was
Resolced, That the Committee ON Foreign
Affairs be instructed to inquire into the exped
ency of furnishing relief to the starving popula-
ton of Ireland, and to report by bill or other
wise
Mr. Wyckliffe, from the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs, reported bill authorizing the rails
ing of volunteer force for the better defence of
Kentucky.
WASHINGTON, December 10.
SENATE.-Messrs. Fessenden and Sumner
presented petitions for the emanc patton of slaves
under the war power
Mr. Foote offered resolution that Waldo T.
johnson, by sympathzing with and participating
in the rebellion against the United States, has
been guilty of conduct incompatible with his du-
ty as a Senator of the United States, and that
he be therefore expelled from the Senate of the
| United States. Laid over.
Mr.. Harlan introduced bill to authorize the
President to acquire territory for the settlement
of free persons of African descent. Referred to
the Committee on Public Lands.
| Mr.. Wilson introduced a bill for the reorgan-
ization of the Medical Department of the army.
Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
! Mr.. Hale called up the resolution offered yes
terday that tue Committee on the Judiciary be
instructed to inquire into the expediency of abol
ishing the present Judicial system Of the United
States and establishing another in pursuance with
the Constitution. Agreed TO.
Mr.. Nesmith introduced a bill to provide for
the protection of overland emigrants TO Califor-
MIA and Oregon. Referred to the Committee on
/ Territories.
Mr. Chandler announced the death of Senator
Bingham, from Michigan. - rs-
After tribute to the memory Of his deceased
colleague, Mr.. Chandler offered the customary
resolution. that the Senate go into mourning ihir
ty days aud to adjourn. sar
Messrs. King, Clark and Sumner spoke in feel
ing terms of the deceased.
The resolution was agreed to, and the Senate
adjourned.
HOUSE.-Mr. Roscoe Conkling offered res
olution, which was adopted, requesting the Attor-
ney General 10 report his views as to the means of
obtaining a retrocession of that part of Virginia
formerly belonging to the District of Columbia.
Mr.. Potter, from the Committee ON Public
Lands, reported a bill providing bounty for sol
diers in lieu of grants of public lands He ex-
planned that the homestead feature of the bill
was heretofore passed, but there is addition
that all soldiers, marines and seamen shall be en-
! titled 10 the provisions of this act IL also con-
tains section giving bounty of $50 to the
| three months volunteers.
l. The-House concurred in the Senate resolution
for Joint committee to inquire into the conduct
of the prescott war, with power to send for per-
SONS and papers.
Mr.. Pendleton moved that the memorial of
Messrs- Howard. Gatchell and Davis be referred
back to the Committee ON the Judiciary with in
structiops declaring that Congress alone has the
power. under the Constitution, to suspend the
! writ of habeas corpus; that the exercise of the
power by another department of the Government
is usurpation. and dangerous to public liberty;
that the persons above named be delivered to the
Marshal to the end that they may be indicted
with the ryhts OF speedy trial if there IL there