Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-12-18
CONGRESSIONAL,
WAsHIEaToa, Dec. IL.
aENArE.

lie the raising Of a volunteer 6foe far n
defence Of Kentucky.
On motion Of Mr.. Howell iteyss raGsv,s
10 the Military Committee.
Sumner presented several petitions for d,
emancipation Of the slaves Of rebels
Wilson reported a bill tor N Increase {
the number OF Cadets At West Point.
Latham offered a resolution that the Sec
rotary Of War be requested 10 Inform the Sen
ate BY virtue Of what law and what reasol
passports are required from passengers from
Kentucky to San francisco, which wa
agresdtO.
sherman offered a resolution that the Sec
retary OF War be requested % furnish 70 III,
Senate q copy Of all the correspondence be-
tween Gen. Scotland Gen. Pattsrson. A,
greed 10.
Sumner introduced a bin In relation Z,
the claims Of French Spoliatlons.
Mr.. Lane spoke against present lnactivlty
OF our PotOmio army. He said we must al.
vance into rebel States and whip somebody
and then loyal men will come 0nt By thous.
ands.
Mr.. Carlisle spoke against ground taken
BY Lane on the subject OF slaves.
Mr.. Lane commended, saying we must eight
n gain q victory before England sends her
army and navy upon ua. II we are Tioto.
rious she Won't send them.
On motion Of Mr.. GRIMES resolution. which
caused this debate, wa laid on the table
A Bill providing for an allotment Of Vol.
unteer forces was absolutely passed.
The Kansas contested seat case was post
p0ned till tomorrow.
tn Chair announced q COMMITTEES 20 in
Vestigate the general conduct Of the war
Wade, Chandler and johnson Of Tennessee.
A resolution from The House about ad-
journing Till Jan. 18th, was tabled. Adjour-
ned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Bingham from the Judiciary Commit
tee, reported back the joint resolution direct
ing and requiring the Provost Court At Alex
andria, Va, 10 retain and safely keep In lie
custody any property taken IS that Of pris-
oners engaged in aiding the rebellion against
the United States, until the further action Of
Congress touching the same. The resolution
passed. The House resumed consideration Of
the special order being Mr.. Elliott's resolu-
ton proposing the emancipation Of the slaves
Of Rebels, &c.
Mr.. Harding, Of Kentucky, invoked A
calm and patriotic consideration Of the sub
jeot now before the House. Tt was with the
deepest pain that be witnessed the introduc-
ton Of the proposition at an early period Ia
the session, and the attempt 70 pass Il under
the operation Of the previous question. BE
thought that th0re was a disposition 70 ex-
clude all relatives and a ~refususl to pause IN
the apparently mad career but when q dis
position was afforded, be would take It. his
hopes revived.
Mr.. Harding then proposed 10 elaborate
the following points Of his opposition to the
pending reolution. First we have no Con-
stituiiOnal power TO pass them, or any bills
on the subject. Second, a. be proposed to
show from copious extracts, Cangress and
the President and the administration stood
pledged in the most solemn and public man.
ner against all interference with slavery
Therefore, 70 sanction such q policy would
be a palpable violation Of the plighted faith
OF the Government Third, be opposed the
resolution because legislation on the subject
is forbidden by every principle Of sound poll
cy. Fourth, he opposed them as all kindred
measures, because they would i~nfuriate a
war which would involve In its horrors the
loyal ard d~isloyal, the innocent and guilty,
and a warfare disgrBcsful 10 any civilized
nation. In the course Of his remarks he
said, this war has nothing more 70 do with
slavery than with any other institution. Let
slavery alone, Il will take care ofitself. BE
showed the Injustice Of diverting this war
from its original design namely: The restoa-
toe Of obedience 70 the Constitutional laws
and the preservation Of the Union.
The following were submitted BY Van
Wyck, chairman Investigating COMMITTEES:
Resolgad, That the Secretary OF Treasury
DO requested 70 adjust the claims against the
government for the 5000 Hall carbines, pur-
chased through Simon Stevens, ESQ, BY Gen.
J. Q. Fremont, on the 9Th Of August 1861,
and afterwards sent 10 the U. s. Arsenal at
st. Lonis, on the basis Of a sale Of said arms
20 the government, for SO 80 cents each; re-
jecting all other demands against the govern
ment on account Of the purchase Of the said
arms.
Resolvea, That the practice Of certain r.
responsible partiea, having no oficisl ON
neeticn with the government for the perfor-
nance Of public duties, which may DO prop
erly performed BY regular officers Of the gov-
eminent OF purchasing, by private CONTRACT,
supplies for lhe different departments, " hen
fuil and open competition might properly be
invited by reasonable advertising for propo-
sails, is injuries to the public service and
needs the unqualified disapprobation Of this
House.
The farther consideration Of the report was
postponed till Wednesday.
Mr.. Morrill, introduced a blu, which vas
yassed, to suspend the appointment o fas-es-
sors and collectors Of the income tax until the
irst Of April HeTt.
A bin for the indemnity for the delen-
ton Of the British ship Perth can't up.
Mr.. Cox In The course Of his remarks on
the subject said the Government took pride
in according satisfaction in this case, and it
is hoped the action Of this House toward
foreign powers viii show wise and Just con-
Citation, without any timed or time serving
concession. he adyerted 70 EDelaad's
strange course regarding the pirate Nash
vile.
After lengthy remarks the bill passed.
Adjourned.