Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-05-16

WASHINGTON. MAY IA,

ASHlN6TON, Niay Ii.
SENATE.-Mr. Wright presented petition
from citizens of Indiana asking Congress to
leave off the agitation of the negro question
and attend to the business of putting down
the rebellion. He said he believed these to
be the sentiments of large majority of the
people of his State.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson, of Mass, the
resolution to suspend the payment of troops
actually employed in the Department of the
West was taken up. He stated that under
the act, as has been reported, great frauds
have been perpetrated, and the immediate
remedy is to have a commissioner appointed
to investigate the claims, t
After a discussion the resolution was laid
over. ....r
The resolution by Mr.. Powell, asking the
Secretary of State for the number and names
of persons arrested in Kentucky, how long
imprisoned, why they are, &C., was taken up.
The question was on the amendment by Mr.
Sumner, that the President be requested to
inform the Senate, of compatible with the
public interest, concerning the arrests in
Kentucky, which was adopted-yeas 80,
nays 7.
| Mr.. Powell offered an amendment to Mr..
Summers amendment, which the Chair said
was substantially the same as the original res
olution, therefore was not in order.
| Mr.. Powell appealed from the decision Of
the Chair. The decision was sustained--44
to 1.
Mr.. Powell read a letter concerning an in
| terview by the citizens of Kentucky with the
| Secretary of State, when he refused to give
them any information, and said he did not care
d-n for the opinion Of Kentucky, but
meant to hold her in the-Union, &c.
The resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Clark, from the Special Committee on
Con6scation, reported bill.
Mr.. Trumbull offered resolution that the
President inform the Senate, if consistent
| with the public interests, Of any information
he may have Of any design on the part of any
foreign power to interfere in the contest now
existing, and whether any foreign nation has
made any arrangements with the insurgents
orhas it in contemplation to do so. Laid
over.
After the consideration of the amendment
| to tn. Indian Appropriation bill, the Senate
vert into executive session and adjourned.
HoUsE.-Mr. Walton, of VT, reported back
the joint resolutions requiring the Superin-
tendent Of the Census to keep records of the
names of adult males, heads of families and
freeholders.
The subject was discussed.
Mr. Elliot :, from the Select Committee on
Confscation, reported two bills. He said
the time for the consideration of this subject
ought not to be much longer postponed. He
suggested it be made the special order for
| Monday next
The first bill provides that all estates, prop
erty and money of persons holding or hereaf.
ter holding Office under the so-called Confed-
eracy be forfeited to the United States the
President to be authorized to issue procla-
nation giving sixty days warning
Mr.. Phillips, of Mo-, suggested that it be
made the special order for Tuesday after the
morning hour, and the rest of the week be
given for debate. rss ~
Mr. Elliott acquiesced in this, and further
that the vote be taken on Monday week on
both sides.
Mr.. Shellabarger offered resolution call
ing on the Secretary Of the Interior to in
form the House what retrenchment could be
made in the expenditures. Passed. ....
Mr.. Wycklife had Intellectually endeavored
to offer an amendment calling on the Secre-
tary of War to state whether he had pro-
vided arms and clothing 70 arm the fugitive
slaves in the South. .. -. f.-
The House went into committee on the
Army Appropriation bill es q
Mr.. Cris6eld made a speech against con-
fscation. 3k r0 -
Amendments were offered to the bil-one
by Mr.. Calvert, that no portion of the appro-
priation be expended in keeping, supporting
or equipping fugitive slaves for service in the
army, was, after debate, rejected. az
The army appropriation then passed with
out amendment
Adjourned.