The Evansville daily journal., 1861-12-05
NEWS BY TELEGRAPH.
IY THE E. b LINE
Exclusively for the Journal.
CONGRESSIONAL.
xxxvII CoNGREss-FIRsT SESSION
WAsH1NGToN. December 3.


| be printed.
Mr.. Grimes offered bill rendering the
thanks of Congress to Commodore Dupont
| and those under his command, for the re-
cent victory at Port Royal. Laid aside till
| formation of standing committees.
| On motion of Mr.. Foster, it was resolved
that the Vice President appoint two MEM
| bers to fill vacancies in the Board of Re-
gents of the Smithsonian Institute, caused
! by the death of Senator Douglas and ex-
pulsion of Jas. NJ. Mason.
Mr.. Chandler introduced a resolution to
expel Breckenridge. Powell took ground
| against it, AS Mr.. breckenridge has al
ready resigned, he could not be expelled
Mr.. Trumbull insisted that he should be ex-
| PEELED, and offered q substitute to Chaud-
ler's resolution as follows:
WHEREAS, John @. Breckenridge, a men,
Der of this body, has joined the enemies of
| his country and is now in arms against the
government he has sworn to support /;
therefore
Resolved, That the traitor Breckinridge
be expelled.
Mr.. Chandler accepted the substitute, and
the resolution as thus rendered was unani-
mousy adopted-yeAs SO, nays 0. Not
voting or absent-Bayard, Bright, John
Powell, Rice, Saulsbery and Wiley.
The following standing committees were
announced. They are the same as at the
lastssession, with the following changes:
On Foreign ReLdtions-M Mr.. Hand, in
place of Mr.. Breckinridge.
On Military Afairs-Mr. Nesmith in
place of Mr.. Baker.
On Public Lands-Mr Carlisle in place
of Mr.. Bingham.
On Psnsions-Mr. Wiley in place of Mr..
| Bingham.
On observation-disclosures. Pomeroy and
Carlisle in place of Baker and Breckenridge.
The Committee on Enrolled Bills will
consist of Browning, Wiley, and Sauls-
bury.
MIR. Wilson called attention to list of
colored persons confined in prisons in
Washington, sent there by persons calling
| themselves Justices of the Peace. A report
had been made by detective Allen to the
Provost Marshal. Mr.. Nelson introd uced a
resolution for their release. Mr.. Hale ad-
vocated the passage of the resolution. He
remarked that we are now supporting the
slaves of rebels for them during the war
He thought the country the most corrupt
from the Supreme Court down to any other
in the world. The course of justice in this
city was most extraordinary. He argued
it was the duty of Congress to look into
the administration of justice in this dis
trict
Mr.. Wilson remarked he had visited these
poor persons in jail and witnessed the
things of which he had spoken, and the
cruel condition in which the inmates were
placed. He endorsed the views expressed
by Mr.. Hale as to the administration of
justice in this District. He was willing
that mis- resolution should be referred to
the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Dougal suggested that instead of de-
nouncing the administration of justice in
this District, they should propose a proper
remedy and discuss the best mode of re-
form.
Nh Fessenden, remarked to the Senators
that during a former session, while it was
proposed to make appropriations for prop
er prison in this city, the necessity for
Withholding the means for other purposes
viz: for the prosecution of the war was
urged. As to the judiciary system in this
District, he had for years looked on the
hopelessness of reform, but now he saw an
opportunity for a change, and therefore
trusted that the entire subject would be
fully and properly dealt with. With re-
gard to fugitive slaves, there was much
feeling on that question, and it was init
mately connected with the troubles in
which the country is now involved. He
would mete out justice and discriminate as
to the facts. The debate was further con-
tinued. Among the speakers was Mr.. Sum-
ner, in earnest appreciation of his col
leagues resolution, which was referred to
the Committee on District of Columbia
affairs.
On motion of Mr.. Clark, it was resolved
that the Marshal of the District of Colum-
| bia be requested to report to the Senate the
names of all persons now confined in the
Jail of the city of Washington, with the
causes of their commitment; the names of
the Magistrates by whom committed, the
length of their Imprisonment and the names
of the persons who made the first arrest.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson, it was resolved
that the laws now in force within the
District of Columbia, relating to the arrest
of fugitives from labor, together with all
other laws concerning persons of color
within the District of Columbia be referred
| to the Committee on the District of Colum-
bia and that the Committee be further in
| structed to consider the expediency Of abol-
| irhing slavery in the District, with compen-
sation to the loyal owners of slaves.
| Mr.. Wilkinson introduced a bill to abol-
| ish the distinction between volunteers and
| regulars.
Mr.. Salisbury offered joint resolution
which is as follows:
WHEREAS, The people of tue State of
| Oirginia, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi,
Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Tennessee,
are in revolution against the Constitutional
| Government of the United States, and have
assumed to secede from the Federal Union,
to form an Independent government and
whereas, the Congress of the United States
| approving the sentiments of the President
in his annual Message that the "Union
must be preserved" and hence all dispens-
able means must be employed, and believing
| that kind and fraternal feeling between the
people of all the States is indispensable to
the maintainanee of a happy and prosper
ous Union, and being willing to manifest
such feeling
Here the report for some cause or other
suddenly broke off-REPoRTER7
HoUsE.-Mr. Maynard presented the Gre
dentials of Mr.. Clemens, (Rep.) elected from
the fourth district of Tennessee. He brief
| Il Il.