New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-10
XXXVJITH CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
SENATE. .wAsHSo1os, Dec. 9, 1861:

SENATE. .WAsHISGToS, Dec. 9 1861.
Mr.. DIXON Rep, Conn., presented the resolu-
tiors of the Legislature Of Connecticut asklng THAI
Senators and Representatives their efforts to
secnre the repes of 70 much of the act for the in
crease of the revenue as imposes AN income TAX, OF
ele have the amount apportioned among speclal
States and allow them 10 raise the amount III lheir
own way. Referred 10 the Committee on FINANCES.
sir. DIXON ALEC presented the resolutions oil the
Legislature Of Connecticut in favor OF system OF
decimal weights and measures. Referred TO the
Committee on Finances. M
Mr.. GRIMES rep, Iowa. preFented petition
from a citizen of Iowa, who has invented hsuoi
mowing.macline or douhle.actiDg bomb, to which ne
wished 10 ell the special attention Of the Chairman
of the Committee Oh Military Affairs.
MIR. WILSON rep, Mass.l introduced bll! rela-
tive 10 couris-martial in the army. Also bill 10
provide for allotment certificates among the voun-
teers. Referred to the Committee on Military Al
fairs.
Mr.. SUMNER REP, Mass presented several re-
ttions from citizens OF Rhode Island and Vermont,
calling on Congress, under the war power TO leels-
late on the subject Of the emancipation OF the slaves
of Rebels.
Mr.. CoLLAMER rep, VIZ presented several
petitions Of the same character.
The PRESIDENT also presented a petition from
citizens Of Wisconsin Of the same character.
Ill tho petitions were referred to tie Committee
on the Judiciary.
Mr. SUMNER presented a resolution that all me-
MORALS aud papers on the es Of the Senate relating
10 the recognition OF Liberia and liayu he taken
from the flee aud referred TO the Committee on For
eIgn Affairs. Agreed 10.
Mr.. CLARK tRep., n. H., offered a resolution
requesting the Marshal OF the District to inform tho
Senate BY what authority he keeps slaves of the Dis.
trict in Inil because they are refractory. lie snd
no Ind visited the jail and found number Of slaves
Of the District confined for no reaeon only because
their masters OF mattresses sent them there oeoauss
they were refractory. Tie resolution was agreed TO-
Mr. POMEROY rep, kan.) introduced bill
granting pen slons and land warrants 10 soldiers he'
feTred y he Committee on Military Afsirs.
Mr. LANE rep, Kan.l introduced joint resolu,
ton directing the Secretary OF War 10 receive ana
equip certain mounted Te-inents. heIeiIed W 'LV
Committee on Military Afairs.
Mr.. HARRIS REP, y. " introduced a bill 10
provide for the protection Of public property from
IRE. Referred to tie Committee on the District Of
Columbia.
Mir. HALE'S Rer, ". ~ resolution directiog
the judiciary c mn i,,ee TO inquire into the exped
ency OF abolisiiog tie present Slpreme Court, and
establishing another, was taken up. lie said tie
present Supreme Court Lad failed. He believed If
he Rebels ROW in arms should s1cceed, the So
prcrc Court would decide that the soldiers low Il
Virginia were tIespasfers and rioters.
Mr.. FOSTER Rep, Conn. thought that Con
grcss should lsgisato only for the great question
before Congress While he believed that the Supreme
Court had loft tho confidence Of .he country, he did
not tliik tho judiciary would he benefited By the
denunca,ion Of It's members. He did not believe
this was the time for radical legislation on the
Judiciary.
Mr. BROWNING thought that it was not in the
power of Congress TO repeal the Supreme Court.
Such power was not given in the Constitution We
had no more power 10 repeal that Court than we had
70 repeal the ConstitutiDn.
Mr. COLLAMER moved, ms a substitute, that all
portions Of the Presidents Message relating TO tie
judiciary be referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Collamer's amendment, On n substitute, was
4 H. .l,tt.. ana. I'D faA
The report Of the Secretary oil the Treasury was
received, aud referred to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. HALE offered n resolution thai the Judiciary
Committee be instructed TO inquire INTO the eXpe.
diency Of making alterations in the constitution OF
the several Courts. LAID over.
On notion, various portions OF the Presidents
Message were referred 10 the Committee on Military
Afairs Committee on Indian Affairs, and Committee
on Naval Affairs, etc.
Mr.. DIXON presented a bill to restore N. b.
Woolfey TO active seryc in the Navy.
On motion of Mr. CHANDLER, the resolution
pauirne into tho causes of the disasters 70 army
at Boil Run and Balls Bluff was taken up.
The question was on the substitute offered by Mr..
Grimes, A" That Committee to invesngate the causes
Of all the disasters that have happened to the Union
forces.'
Mr.. POMEROY thought that these investigations
were Of doubtful expediency.
Mr.. CHANDLER said that officers of the army
were not liable 10 impeachment; but one of our own
lie thought the facts ought to be known.
Mr.. CHANDLER enumerated Il great variety of
causes which had been given for the disaster at
Bulf-Run and said that he wanted the true cause to
be known. In regard to the disasters III Miss0uri,
referred to by tho Senator from Kansas, II Gen.
Fremont is to blame let il be known but II not, IN
Gods name let him be justified, and let the country
know il.
Mr.. LANE (Kansas) said be did not attribute the
blame 10 any particular officer but he did know that
troops were on hand TO reieye Gen. Lyon and Col.
Mllligan, and the people Believed that 1t was the
want Of capacity or dirilecton OF duty somewhere.
Mr.. FOSTER thought it best not TO investigate
the subject now Under the present circumstances,
he thought Congress had better not do ii. If mill.
tary oicers manage the army badly, Congress would
only make q bad matter worse by interfering. tie
worh let the military alone in time OF war An in
oniry Of this kind would only call men away from
HIGHER duties. AT the proper time, Congress might
make the inquiry.
MIR. FESSENDEN thought no harm could come
of such an inquiry, and good might be the result.
Congress might make the inquiry without any way
putting obstacles in the path. He had seen many
things which seem wrong, and Thought 1t better 10
make the inquiry now and promptly. The Senate Ia
not under the control of the military; they are nos
second bat drs and their requests are TO oeobeyed
they should Perform their duty and calmly inyesIi'
gate the subject.
Mr. SHERMAN coneurred with the Senator from
Maine hut tLougLt the inquiry should not be con-
fined TO Disasters Of war. but should be general III
ouify into the whole conduct OF the war. blanS
orders had been given which might be inquired irto
One officer is said to have refused TO take any cot
ton; if 30 il is wrong; and another IL sad 10 have
refused 10 receive slaves IN camp and one Agh OIL
CHI of the Government the AdJutant-l ieneIe, hah
. IL. .arstu frui Ia Il mn nj