Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-07-26
37th Congress Special Session


37th Congress- Special Session
WASHINGTON, July 49,
HOUsE.-Mr. Washburn from the commi
tee on commerce reported bill to remit fine
and penalties in certain cases incurred b
reason of the closing of southern ports i
consequence of no collectors being there t
give the proper paper papers to vessels leay
ing those ports. Bill passed.
Mr.. Sheffield reported bill supementor
to the act to protect commerce and punis
piracy. Referred
| On motion of Mr.. Elliott, a resolution wa
passed instructing the committee on conmerc
to enquire into the expediency of closing b,
an act of Congress certain ports in the rebel
lious States, with leave to report by bill o
otherwise.
Mr.. Colfax, from the Post Office committee
reported bill that all paid letters to soldier
addressed to them at the point where they
are stationed may, whenever practicable, b,
sent to any other point without further charge
The bill passed.
Mr.. Pendleton, from the judiciary, report
ed bill for the relief of the Ohio volunteers
1t provides for paying them at the time they
arrive at the place of rendezvous instead O
from the time when they were sworn in, which
was twelve days afterwards. An amendment
was also made directing the War Department
to pay the militia of other States similarly
situated. The bill was then passed.
SENATE-Mr. Forney called the Senate tc
order, and stated that he had received note
from the Vice President saying that he should
be absent the rest of the session.
A bill to provide for an assistant Secretary
of the Navy was taken up and after short
debate was passed.
Mr.. Hale moved to take up the bill for the
better organization of the Marine Corps, which
was agreed to- The amendments of the Ma
val committee were adopted. lhe bill passed.
WASHINGTON, July 10.
HousE.-Mr. Kellogg of ILL.,, moved that
when the House adjourned it be until Mon
day. Voices ''you want to go to Manassas?'
"let's go"']
Mr. Washburn before voting wished to know
whether the committee ON ways and means
had business to report.
Mr.. Cox objected to the question being ask
ed. The object he said was to 90 to Manas-
sas to get in the way Of our soldiers. laugh
day, ~ against S9.
Mr.. Crittenden asked leave to submit reso-
lutions declaring that the present war had
been forced on us by the disunionists Of the
Southern States, now in rebellion against the
Government of the U. S.; that in this natural
emergency Congress, banishng all feeling OF
passion and resentment will recollect their coun-
try, that the war was not waged for conquest,
or subjugaton, or interfering with their rights
and equality; that as soon as the objects
shall be accomplished the war onght to cease.
Mr.. Sedgewick, from the Committee on Ma
val Affairs, reported back the Senate bill pass
ed, appropriating $3,0O0,000 to enable the
Secretary Of the Navy to purchase OF charter
vessels to be armed as a temporary increase
of the navy during the present rebellion.
Mr.. Sedgewick reported back the Joint res
olution for the relief of the widows and Or
phans of those lost in the sloop -of-war Levant.
Passed
House adjourned till Monday.
WASHINGTON, July 90.
SENATE.-Mr Hale offered a aresoluton that
the Naval committee beempowered to enquire
into the surrender of the Navy Yards at Pen
sacola and Norfolk, with power to send for
persons and papers. Referred to committee
on Naval affairs
Mr.. johnson of Tennessee introduced bill
to provide for the transportation of arms and
of war to loyal citizens in the States
now in rebellion, and providing for arrang-
ing them into regiments, &c. He said that
loyal citizens in these States felt that the gov
ernment was bound to protect them against
invasion and insurrection. Referred to the
on military affairs.
Nj. Trumhull introduced bill to provide
for the holding Of the Circuit District Courts
daring temporary insurrection. Referred to
on Judiciary
The bill providing for the construction of
one or more iron clad war vessels was laid
over.
The resolution approving the acts Of the
President was taken up.
Mr.. Latham. spoke and alluded to his
friends, Breckenridge, Bayard and Stephens,
who charged the President with violating the
Constitution, but nota word of condemnation
Of those who openly trampled the Constitu-
ton under foot. He said whatever necessity
required the President to do to enforce the
laws and the Government was right and prop
er, even though he might have committed an
nfractlon OF the authority delegated to him;
but he would not sanction the suspension OF
the writ of habeas corpus in Maryland, be-
cause he thought that State showed her allie
glance by sending members to Congress, and
that there was no necessity for such a sus-
pension there, except it was evident that the
judiciary of the State was disloyal No man
doubts the loyalty of the Chief Justice. He
thought an increase of the army not warrant
ed by the exigencies of the case and there
fore could no sanction the act He gave the
President his most cordial support and he
would say here, as the representative of a
sovereign State of loyal people, if the Presi-
dent had not exercised these powers, hewould
have voted to have him impcached, as unfit
and unworthy of the place. Mr.. Latham
closed with an eloquent declaration that what
ever happens his own State will stand firm
by the Union,
Mr.. Rice said he wished to endorse all that
had been said by his friend from California
On motion Of Mr.. johnson, Of Tennessee,
the subject was postponed till Monday.
Adjourned.
Gen. Patterson.
Nbo q, II.