Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-18
0rlearapbu Arlus.
CONGRESSIONAL.


THURsDkx. December -.
SENATE--Mr. Trumbull- pr ssented a petit
ton to repeal the laws preventing Jewish divines
from Officiating as chaplains in the army.
Mr. Wilson Offered n resolution that the In
spector General, Quartermaster General and
Commissary General Of subsistence be directed
70 inform the Senate what articles ought to be
sold BY the suffers to volunteers, and such as
would best secure their efficiency. he believed
the whole system should be promptly abolished
The resolution was agreed 90. - e-sk
The joint resolutions from the House expressing
the feelings of Congress in regard To the gallant
conduct OF the late Gen. Lyon, was feferred to
the Military Committee.
Mr.. Foote called up the resolution to expel
Waldo p. johnson, Senator from Missouri, hom
the Senate. - = -. ~.
speech of Senator johnson, delivered in Mo.
Resolution was referred.
The bill to promote the efficiency of the ma
w, reported by Mr. Grimes, from the naval COM
mittee was taken up.y -'1r = 'lss--s'st
On motion of Mr Doolittle. the time of re-
firing was made forty-fve instead of forty years.
After further discussion the bill was passed.
Mr.. johnson of Tennessee, moved that so
much of the Presidents message as refers to a
railroad to Western KY, and Tennessee, be re-
ferred to a select committee. Motion agreed to.
The Senate went into executive session and
upon the opening of the doors adjourned to
Monday.
HOUSE.-Mr Blair, of Missouri, rising TO a
question of privilege, caused to be read the fol
lowing extract as further explanatory of the re-
marks which no made yesterday on MIR. Loyeoy's
reception, having in view the reservation of a
part of Cen Halleck's general order relative to
fugitives. The resolution, e has already been
stated, was laid on the table:
HEADoUARTERs DEPARTMENT OF MIssouRI-To
Hon t. p Blair: Yours OF the 4th inst. is just
received. Order No. 3 was, in nv mind, merely
a military necessity. Unauthorized persons,
black or white free or slave, must be kept out of
our camp unless we are willing to publish to the
enemy everything We do or intend to do. IL was
n military and not political Order / am ready
to carry out any lawful instructions in regard to
fugitive slaves which my snperiors may give me.
and to enforce any law which Congress NAV pass
but can not make law, and will not violate il.
You know my private opinion on the policy of
coniscating the slave property of rebels in arms.
If Congress shall pass it, you may be certain that
L shall enforce it. Perhaps my policy as to the
treatment of rebels and their property is as well
set out in order No. l3, issued the day before
your letter wac written, as could now describe
it, Yours truly, 81. w. HALLEcK.
Mr.. Loveioy replied, and in conclusion, said
If any soldiers want to fight simply for the pur-
pose of returning fugitive slaves, he had only to
remark that the army would be stronger without
them. -
Mr.. Blair of Missouri, from the Committee ON
Military Affairs, reported bill authorizing the
raising ola volunteer force for the better defense
of Kentucky.
Mr.. Wyckliffe, who several days ago introduced
the bill, proceeded TO show the Importance of
passing it. Kentucky, he said was to be the great
battle ground of this war; the people of that State
hoped soon to see the day when the invaders foot
would be expelled from their territory which is
now invaded Property has been ruthlessly de-
stroyed or carried off. Hundreds have been made
desolate bridges burned, &C., and it is TO protect
the State while the army is marching elsewhere
that the volunteer force is needed.
Mr.. Wickliffe also said that he had received
from the Military Board of Kentucky an urgent
application to call on the War Department and
ask for just such corps as the bill provided He
had brought the subject to the attention of the
President and Secretary of War, and it met not
only with their approval but that of all the Cab
met.
Mr.. Maynard spoke of recent sojourn in the
part of Kentucky much ravaged and laid waste
by the rebel troops, and would allude at some flu
ture time to the distressing condition Of affairs in
Eastern Tennessee, which, he said, be alone had
the honor to represent.
His people, he said, had been left unprotected
by the Government, notwithstanding their firm
devotion lo the Union. He held it to be duty
not only to protect loyal men in Tennessee and
Kentucky but in South Carolina and every where
much as in Pennsylvania and the adjoining
States.
Further consideration of this bill was postponed
till Monday.
The House proceeded to the consideration OF
the special orders, namely, the various PROPOSE
tons involving question of emancpating persons
held as slaves by the rebels.