The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-12-12
NEWS BY TELEGRAPH.
BY TIE Z. ". LINZ.
Exclusively for the Journal.
CONGRESSIONAL.
xxxvn OoEGREss-FIRsT SESSION
WASHINGTON, December IL.

! WASHINGTON, December IL.
/ SExATH-Mr. Sumner presented petit
l ton foF the emancipation of slaves; those
| of rebels without compensation, and those
! of Union men to be paid for.
! Mr.. Wilson offered a resolution, that the
| Committee on Military Affairs be instruct
! ed to enquire and report what reduction
| NAV be made in the expense of the army.
| Chandler offered a resolution in
| structing the military committee to IN
/ quire into the expediency of appointing a
| Joint committee of the two houses, who
! shall have power to retire any improper
officers of the navy or army. Agreed to.
| Morrill, introduced joint resolution for
! the confscation of the property of rebels,
| for the satisfaction of the claims of loyal
men.
Harris introduced bill establishing a
new military and mail route to Baltimore.
Referred to military committee.
Wilson introduced bill to increase the
number of cadets at West Point. Referred
to military committee.
Nesmith announced the death of his late
colleague, Edward Dickinson Baker, o. 8.
Senator from Oregon. He paid brief and
feeling tribute to his worth and bravery
and offered the usual resolutions of re-
spect to his memory Mr.. McDougal fol-
lowed, referring to the decease of two dis
tinguished Senators, Messrs. Douglas and
Baker MessFs. Browning, Cowan and
others followed. Mr.. Latham closed with
a most beautiful, eloquent and touching
eulogy on the deceased, when the Senate
adjourned.
Houston motion of Mr.. Holman it was
resolved that the Committee on Public
Lands. report what Railway Co. had re-
ceived donations of lands, on condition of
Transporting troops and munitions of war,
free of charge, and whether the government
has the right of transportation.
Mir. Lovejoy offered a resolution instruct
ing the Committee on Foreign Affairs to
report a bill establishing diplomatic rela-
tions between the United States and Hayti
and Liberia. The resolution lies over.
Blair of Missouri offered resolution. de-
claring it just to recognize the eminent and
patriotic services of the late General Lyon,
and rendering the thanks of Congress to the
brave officers and soldiers under his COM
mand, who sustained the honor of the flag,
and achieved victory at Springfield, Mo-,
and in order to commemorate the event,
each regiment engaged on that occasion to
bear on it's coIors the word Springfield,
in letters of gold, and that these resolutions
be read at the head of the regiments of the
army OF the United States.
Blair believed the Government had taken
no notice at all of the death of Gen. Lyon,
and hence the propriety of the passage Of
the resolution. He knew the man WE'LL.
One never lived who cared more for his
country and less for himself. The resolu-
ton was adopted. En-
Mr.. Lansing's preamble and resolutions
offered on Monday, came up.
Stephens of Pennsylvania said if the pass
age of the resolution is to have good effect,
especially in the West, the sooner it is passed
the better The allegation of Gen. HalIeck,
rs an excuse for his order that fugitive slaves,
whom he proposes to exclude from his lines,
z We information to the enemy, is too bold
"A pretext 10 Justify him. The return Of fn-
gitive slaves was initiated by Mcclellan,
and has been followed by Gems. Dix, Kelly
and others. All these cases are disgrace
to the profession of arms. If such returns
of fugitives have been made by order OF the
commanding Generals, they deserve to have
their epaulettes stripped from their Shout
ders, and if it has been done by higher au-
thority than God, forgive them, for they
know not what they do.
Lovejoy of Illinois expressed his earnest
convictions that such orders were issued by
the commanding Generals of the army,
without orders from the President. He was
satisfied of the fact. While, the President,
does not remove or cashier them, as he
(Lovejoy) would, he did not believe the
commanding Generals had power for such
inhuman and shameful measures.
Blair of Missouri said Stephens had evil
IDENTITY misunderstood Gen. Halleck's order.
/ Haleck informed him that he had no idea
of doing anything contrary to the law Of
tka lost nd. ko pO1icv Of fbor
ernment.