The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-12-18
w ashington, Dee. II.

SENATE.--A bill was received from the
House, to authorize the raising OF vol
unteer force for the defense of Kentucky.
On motion Of Mr.. morrill, ii was referred
to the Military Committee.
Mr.. Sumner presented several petit
tons for the emancipation of the slaves Of
rebels
Mr.. Wilson reported bill for AN in
crease Of the number of Cadets at West
Point.
Mr. Latham offered resolution that
the Secretary of War be requested 10 in
form the Senate by virtue Of what law and
what reason passports are required from
passengers from New York and San Fran
cisco. which was agreed 10.
Mr.. Chapman offered resolution that
the Secretary Of War be requested I'd fur
nish to the Senate copy Of all the cor
respondenee between Gen. Scott and Gen.
Patterson. Agreed to-
Mr. Colamer introduced bill in rela-
ton to the claims for French spoliation
House Mr.. Bingham from the Judi
ciary Committee reported back the joint
resolution directing and requiring the
Provost Court at Alexandria to retain and
safely keep in it's custody any property Ia
ken "a that Of persons engaged in or aid
ing in the rebellion against the United
States, until the further action of Con
gress in regard to the same. The resolu-
tien passed.
| House resumed the consideration Of the
| special order, being Elliott,s proposition
for the emancipation of the slaves of the
rebels, &c.
! Hardin. of Ky, invoked calm and
/ patriotic consideration of the subject now
before the House. 1t was with the deep.
est pain that be witnessed the introdue-
tion OF the proposition at an early period
in the session, aud the attempt to pass it
under the operation of the previous ques-
ton. He thought that there was a dis
position to exclude all reflection, and a
refusal to pause in the apparent mad Ca
reer When disposition was afterwards
shown to act with deliberation, his hopes
revived He then proposed to elaborate
the following points of his opposition to
the pending resolution: lst, we have no
Constitutional power to pass them, or any
bills on the subject. ID He proceeded
to show from copious extracts that Con-
gress and the President and the Admins
tration stand pledged in the most solemn
and public manner against all interference
with slavery; therefore to sanction such a
policy would bea violation of the plehted
faith Of the Government. 3D. He OPP
posed the resolution because legislation on
the subject il forbidden BY every principle
of sound policy 4th. lie opposed them
and all kindred measures because they
would inaugurate war which would in
volye in its horrors the loyal and disloyal,
the innocent and guilty, and a warfare
disgraceful to any civilized Christian ma
ton In the course of his remarks he
said this war has no more to do with
slavery than with any other Institution
Let Slavery alone; it will take care OF
itself. He showed the injustice Of di
verting the war from its original design
namely the restoration of obedience 10 the
Constitution and laws aud the preserya
ton OF the nation.
The following resolutions were submit.
ted by VanWyck. Chairman of Investi.
eating Committee:
Resolved That the Sec'y of Treasury
be requested TO admit the claim against
the Government for the 5000 Hall car.
bines purchased through Simon Steven,
by Gen John c. Fremont, on the 9th OIL
August, 1861, aud afterwards delivered al
the United States Arsenal at St. Louis, OIL
the basis of a sale of said arms to the
Government for s. 80 each, rejecting al
all other demands against the Govern
ment on account of the purchase Of sale
arms.
Resolved, That the practice of employ.
Ing irresponsible parties, having no oiicia
connection with the Government in the
performance Of public duties which may
be properly performed by regular officers
Of the Government. and Of purchasing BY
private contract supplies for the different
departments, where fair and open comre.
tion might properly be invited by reason
able advertisement for proposals, is inJu-
rioas to the public service and meets the
unqualified disapprobation Of this House
The consideration Of the report was post
poned till Tuesday.
Mr.. Morrill, introduced bill, which
was passed, to suspend the appointment Of
assessors and collectors Of the income ia,
until the first Of April next.
NEW REREL BATTERIES.