Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-01-27
WHOLE NO. LII.

He (Bright) had no recollection of this letter,
but he must have written il. he had also given
Lincoln a letter to Captain Franklin and would
read both 70 show they were similar in language.
WhIn he addressed the letter TO Davis by his title
be vas only following the example Of Senators
in this body at that time
After further explanations from Mr.. Bright
the Senate adjourned.
H0USE.-The House proceeded to the consid-
Grafton OF the bill regulating the carriage Of
printed matter outside of the mails requiring the
postage TO be paid, &c.
Mr. Colfax explained and advocated he bill
for tax on printed mail matter.
Mr.. Morrill, said the subject should be consid-
cred as postal measure and not as a means OF
raising revenue.
The Committee on Ways and Means will pro-
pose newspaper stamp duty and tax on telegrams
The bill requiring newspapers 70 pay postage
when not sent through by mail, came up and Mr..
Colfax made long argument in favor Of it.
After long discussion, il was moved 10 lay the
whole subject on the table Disagreed to-6l to
Morrill, moved to recommit the bill to Com
mttee on Post Offices, which was voted down
Colfax reported substitute, which was dis
agreed to. with all the sections, proposing tax
kilograms.
After which the original bin was laid ON the
tablets against so
Senate bill authorizing the President to ap-
point two additional Secretaries of War for one
year, was passed. Adjourned.
WASHINGTON January -.
SENATE-Mr Howe, from the Committee
on finance, reported back the resolution appropri-
ating $4,000 for the expenses Of the joint spe
cial committee on the war. Passed
Mr.. Trumbull, from the Judiciary Committee,
reported back the House bill in regard TO witness
es examined before Congressional Committee.
The bill provides that the examination Of wit
nesses before committee of Congress shall not
prevent his examination in a court of justice.
Mr.. Harris ojected TO the bill as making great
innovation on the common law rule of evidence,
by which witness is not obliged to testify to
anything eliminating him He opposed making
such an innovation.
Mr.. Bayard moved to strike out that portion
OF the bill which compells a witness to answer
questions which nay tend to disgrace or make
him Infamous.
Mr.. Trumbull explained that the object of the
bill to put the witness on common law
grounds. The law as it now stands enables the
greatest criminal TO escape, if he can get before
investigating committee and tell something
about the crime. That very case occurred with
the clerk who stole two millions of Indian bonds,
and he went clear in that very way
Mr. Harris offered an amendment that the law
shall not be construed as to require any witness
nate himself. Lost-yeas I9, nays 81.
The bill then passed.
blr. Wade, from the Committee on Conduct Of
the War, reported bill authorizing the President
to take possession of certain railroads and tele-
graph lines. Referred.
Senator Bright's case was taken up.
Mr.. Davis spoke Of the rebellion in strong
terms, calling it stupendous wickedness. In
conclusion, he argued that the Senate had a right
to expel any member for sympathzing with
aiding the cause of rebellion.
The subject was not concluded. After execu-
tive session, adjourned.
increase the clerical force in the War and NAVY
Departments. Passed.
On motion of Mr.. Blair, it was resolved that
the President inform the House whether the act
of Congress requiring officers of additional reg
ular regiments, appointed from civil life, TO be
assigned to the recruiting service, has been com
piled with, and, if Sc, how many officers have
been thus employed since the extra session Of
Congress.
The House. in Committee of the Whole re-
sumed the consideration of the bill making APP
propriatons for the executive, legislative and ju
dicial expenses.
Mr.. Diven regretted that there was division
of sentiment as to the principle on which the war
should be conducted.
Mr.. Spaulding from the committee Of Ways
and Means reported a bill to authorize the issue
of United States Treasury notes and for the re-
demption and funding thereof and for the fund
ing of the floating debt of the United States.