New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-19
HOuSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

or Elections, repOIttu INht rpttct ~
not entitled TO seat.in this Congress either from the
let or Id Congressional District of North Carolina.
Mr.. DAWES said that the Committee had pur.
sued the investigation 80 far as to be entirely satisfied
that the claim was founded in imposition, and 80
well satisfied Of this fact was bir. Foster himself
that be had voluntarily abandoned the claim.
Tie resolution was adopted.
I Dir. WALTON (Rep., W. from the COMMITTEE on
Printing reported a resolution, which was adopted,
10 print 5000 copies of the report of the Special
Committee % inquire into the army contracts &c,
with the evidence, and 10000 copies without the
evidence.
The House then resumed the consideration Of the
BID to secure homesteaes 10 actual settlers, heads OF
fame those who have attained the az, ot2 years,
and are citizens of the United States, have hed
an intention 10 become such. The provisions OF the
till are extended 10 all who have performed ser.
vice in suppressug the rebellion. in lieu of bounty
lands the three months volunteers are to receive
thirty dollars in addition to the right of a houe-
\ stead and all who have served six months, one
| hundred dollars.
Mr.. HOLMAN Opp, Ind. proposed an amend
ment extending the Bounty Land act OF March, 1919,
to those engaged in the present war.
/ Mr.. VALIANDIGHAM OPP, o. opposed the
amendment, co5tending that it would trike desth-
blow 1T the homestead policy, consume every acre
already surveyed and benefit the soldier only TO tho
extent of what they receive from the sale OF
/ their warrants. He advocated the bill.
! Mr.. COVODE (Rep., PENN offered modification
! of Mr.. Holmans amet dment, which the latter ac-
cepted that the provision shal no, take elect until
one year stter the passage Of the bill.
I Mr.. EDWARDS rep, n. H. advocated tho
amendment ana asked whether We should not
tend to the soldiers engaged in this war as much
berality We have to soldiers engaged In previous
wars.
i Mr.. VANDEYER rep, Iows was for combining
the lands 10 actual settlers. Opposing the amend
ment he said the bounties would nure TO the benefit
Of pecuating Shy locks and not to the soldiers who
would become the.r prey.
Mr. MORRILL, iRep., VT in ordinary times
wepd vote for the Homestead bill, but 1t would be
suicidal now 10 vote for sweeping measure Ike
this.
Mr.. POTTER Rep, Wis., who reported the bill,
spoke in it, support. If the Homestead policy was
wise heretofore, il was assuredly 70 now IL should
have been adopted years ago, and would have saved
cultiyators from the imposions OF large capitalists
who have monopolized the lands
| The debate was continued by Messrs. JULIAN,
FESSENDEN ROSCOE CONKLING, ARNOLD,
aud KELLY, the last saying that the country is
now ia furry about foreign war, but on Tbs sub.
Jet has soul was Tranquil, he believed there would
he none.
Mr. CRITTENDEN Union, Ky.) doubted
whether il was prudent to pass tits bill. II was by
credit alone that maintain the mighty s'rug-
gle in which are engaged, and 1t was the part Of
wisdom TO take care OF the means TO sustain our
credit. Throughout the world landed security is
considered the best. He repeated IT. that II would
be ill-tmed when we are engaged In the greatest
war the world ever saw TO pass tbs bill. BY dong
so we would be acting generously when 1t Is as much
as we can do to act Justly. Pay your debts before
you give. This was a maxim which we should prac-
tice. Before adopting such Il measure LET Us make
sure Of the salvation Of our country Let us devote
10 that object all energies IN men, money, and
means
Mr.. LOvEJOY (Rep., H. supposed it was UNDER
stood that the motion which bad been made to post.
none the bill would result in its final defeat. [Cres
of"No," " No." mol He had no doubt that
was the purpose of the motion.
| Mr.. BINGHAM (Rep., Ohiol, while always dis
posed TO regard with respect the utterances OF the
gentleman from Kentucky (lr Crittenden), fele
constrained 10 differ from him in bis conclusions,
namely that the effect of the passage Of the Home
stead bill would transfer from the Government its
property as a basis of credit.
i Mr.. ROSCOE CONKLING REP, N entered
his protest against Mr.. Lovejoys mputation, that
those who favored its posponement desired to defeat
the bill. , .
would be in order he would move TO amend the bill
by providing bounty lands to soldiers, or their
widows of 100 acreson any public lands open to pre-
emption or entry at 81 % or less per acre. and 10
provide homeseads Of 80 10 actual settlers, ON
the lands reserved from railroad grants ana now
open TO entry at 81 30 per acre..
! The further consideration Of the bill was post.
poned till the first Monday in February-SS
against %.
veying the Isthmus OF Uarlen.
| Mr.. STEVENS rep, Pal, from the COMMITTEES
of Ways and Means, reported the Civil Appropria.
tion bill.
Also bill for the appropriation of sl,OOOOOO for
gunboats in the Western waters, in addition to the
! former sum.
| The latter bill was passed
! The House then went into Committee of the whole
on the state of the Union, Mr. Washburn in the
CHAIR and took up the bill for the payment Of inva-
| lids and other persons.
| The bill was amended ON motion Of Mr.. BLAIR
Rep, No. that pension shall be paid under this
act to any person engaged in the present rebellion
against the United States, or who has in any way
given aid and comfort TO those engaged In the re.
| belion.
The bill was subsequently passed.
The House passed the bill authorizing and requir-
ing the Secretary Of War to pay TO the officers and
men heretofore actually employed or mustered into
service in the Western Missouri Military Depart.
nent, the pay and bounty in regular enistments.
This covers the forces under Gen. Fremont and the
other commanding Generals.
Mr.. STEELE IN. j. offered q resolution, which
was adopted, that the Select Committee Alleged
Contract Abuses be requested to inquire az TO the
policy of aboliShing Sulersbips, or regulating the
system in accordance with the requirements and pro-
lection OF the soldiers.
Mr.. COLFAX indy called attention to q commu.
pication from the Post Department, stating
that it has been ascertained tina; members OF Con-
gress frequently give envelopes to cover matter UNI
known TO them-that franked letter envelopes, with.
out address, are being circulated among the camps,
and sold by Suffers at from one to two cents apiece
that franked envelopes are sent to merchants IN
various parts Of the country 70 cover their own cor
respondence in return, and that franks OF members
Of Congress are forged.
Dir. C. hoped that the simple statement OF iaots
would correct the abuses without further Legislation.
Adjourned.