The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1861-12-10
THE LATEST NEWS.
IMPORTANT FROM wAsuINGrON.
Congress Interfering with Gen. HaIleck.
Inquiry Ordered Into the Bull
Run and Balls Bluff Defeats.
The Slavery Question under Agitation.
XXNvII. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
First Sr.sion.


Washington Dec. 9.-Mr. Dixon Conn pre-.
nted the resolutions of the Legislature Of
connecticut, asking that Senators and Repre-
sentatves use their efforts to secure the repeal
Of 40 much Of the net ior the increase OF the
cnuc os imposes an income tax, or else have
| the amount apportioncd among special states
! and allow them to raise the amount in their
| own way. These aud succeeding resolutions
we're approx riatcly referred.
Mr.. Dixon also presented the resolutions Of
the Legislature Of Connecticut in favor of a
system of decimal weights and measures.
MIR. Grimes Iowa) presented a petition from
citizen Of Iowa, who has invented rebel
ling machine, or double acting bomb
Mr.. Wilson (Alass.) introduced hill relative
Ia court martials in the army: also bill to pro-
vide for allotment certificates among the vol
untecis.
Mr.. Sumner (Mass.) presented several petit
tions from citizens Of Rhode Island and Yer
mont, calling on Congress, under the war pow
,r, to lcgislats On the subject of the cmlncpa.
lion Of the slaves Of rebels.
Mr., COllamcr presented several petitions ofthe
Fame character
The President also presented a petition from
citizens Of Wisconsin, Of the same character.
Mr.. Sumner presented u resolution that all
ucmoria and papers on the files Of the S nate,
'ola'ing to the recognition Of Liberia and Hiyti,
Ne taken from the files and referred to the Com.
mittcc on Foreign Affairs. Agreed to.
NJ. Clark offered resolution requesting the
Marshal of tho District to inform tho Senate by
what authority he keeps slaves Of the District
M Jail because they are refractory, lie Aid he
had lifted the jail and found number of slaves
of the District confined for no reason only be-
cause 'heir masters OF mistresscs sent them
there byy fuse they were refractory. Agreed to.
Mr. l mercy introduced bill granting PEN
| sions and land warrants to soldiers.
Mr.. Lane, of Kansas, introduced q joint re-
solution, directing the Secretary Of War TO re-
ceive and equip certain mounted regiments.
Mr., Harris introduced a bill to provide for
the protection of public property from ire.
Mr.. llales resolution, directing the Judiciary
committee to inquire into the eXpediency Of
ah'lishing the present Supreme Court and es-
tablish another was taken up. lie said the
| present Supreme Court had failed llc bcliey-
| ed If the rebels now in arms should succeed the
| Supreme Court would decide that the soldiers
now in Virginia were trespassers aud rioters.
NJ. Foster thought that Congress should leg
| islate only for the great question before Con-
| gress. While he believed that the Supreme
| Court had lost the confidence of tho country
he did not think the Judiciary would be bene-
fitted by the donunciation of its members. II,
| did not believe this was the time for Tadca
| legislation on the judiciary.
| M. browning thought that it was not in tn,
power Of Congress to repeal the Supreme Court
Such power was not given in the Constitution
We had no more power TO repeal that COur
than we had 30 repeal the Constitution,
Mr., Collamcr moved, ms substitu. G, that al
| portions Of the Presidents message relating q
the Judiciary be referred to the Judiciary Com
| mittee.
The report of the Secretary Of the Trsasur,
was received and referred to the Committee o.
| Finance.
| Mr. llIle offered resolution that the ia
dietary Committee lie instructed to inquire int
.Nl .uli ... ali Ia
constitution OF the several courts. Laid evel
| On motion of Mr.. Chandler, the resllutio
| nquiring into the causes of the disasters to GU
lrmy at Bulls Run and balls Bluff was take
| up.
Mr.. Pomeroy 'Kapsa9 thought that these in
| yestigations were of doubtful eXpedicncy.
Mr. Chandler said that officers of N
army We're not liable TO impeachment, but on
Of ouI own number has fallen Baker, and n,
lody is TO blame. lie thought the facts ougl
to be known.
Mr.. Chandler enumerated great variety
| causes which had been given for the disaster
Bulls Run, and said that he wanted the trl
cause TO be known in regard to the disasters
| Missouri, referred TO by the Senator from kaT
Sas. lfGeneral Fremont is to blame, let it |
| known but il not, in Coils name lot him |
justified and let the country know IL.
br. Lane, OF Kansas said he did not attribut
the blame to any particular officer, but he dl
know that troops were on hand to relieve Gen
Lyon and Col. Mulligan, and the people believe
hat there was q want Of capacity or derelictiO
Of dsty somewhere.
Mr.. Foster thought II best not to investigat
he subject now. Under the present circun
stance, he thought Congress had better not d
Il. II military officers manage the army bad
~, Congress would only make a bad matte
worse by interfering. He would lot the mill
tary slone in time Of war. An inquiry Of hi
Sind would only call men away from highe
duties. At the proper time Congress Nigh
make tbs inquiry.
Mr.. Fessendel thought no harm could com,