Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-07-14
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, July u.


were opened.
Mr.. Wilson called up the resolution de-
olaring the meaning Of the act authorizing
the President 10 take possession Of railroad
and telegraph lines. The bill prevents the
construction Of any line Of railroad under
the act passed.
Mr.. Clark, from the Committee Of con-
ference on the Confscation Bill, made q
report.
Mr.. McDOugall moved that the report be
laid on the table and printed He thought
there was q new matter put on the report,
beyond the authority Of the committee.
Rejectedi yeas, II; nays, %.
The report was then agreed to, rs fol-
lows:
Yeas-Anthony, Chandler Clark, Doo-
little, Foot, Foster, Fessenden, Grimes,
Hale, Harlan, Harris, Howard, King, Lane
Of Kansas, Lane Of Ind, Morrill,, Pomeroy,
Sherman, Simmons, Sumner, Ten Eyck,
Trumbull Wade, Wilmot, Wilson, of Mass,
and Wright-27.
Nays-Bayard, Browning, Carlisle, Cow
an, Davis, Henderson, Kennedy, McDoug-
all, Powell, Salisbury, Starke, Wilson, Of
Mo, and Willey-13.
! Not yoting-Collamer and Rice
Absent-Dixon, Howe, Latham, Nes-
mith, Pearce, and Thompson.
Mr.. Wright called up the report Of the
committee Of conference on the bill chang
ing certain Judicial Districts
Mr.. Howard opposed the report at con-
siderable length
After further discussion, the report of
the committee was concurred in.
Mr.. McDougal called up the resolution
requesting the President to have prepared
a statement Of the trade and commerce of
California, Oregon and Washington Terri
tory, for the next session of Congress, and
it was adopted.
Mr.. Trumbull called up the bill for the
election OF Representative IN Congress by
single districts, and it was passed.
Mr.. Sherman called up the resolution in
relation to the number of Senators consti-
tuting quorum.
Mr.. COllamer claimed that the Senate
could only consist Of Senators, and not Of
persons never elected and no knowing when
they would be, consequently quorum must
consist of majority of those elected
Fessenden eoncurred with the Senator
| from Vermont. He thought if this resolu-
tion was necessary at ALL it should be
passed now.
Mr.. Sumner referred to and cited from
English Parliamentary usage and law
where three make quorum in the Honse
of Lords and forty in the Commons. He
contended that all parliamentary law de-
eided that what shall constitute a quorum is
entirely within the control Of any body,
and that the language of the Constitution
leaves the question open entirely.
Mr.. McDOugal opposed the resolution; it
was against the plain language Of the Con-
stitutiOn. The same language was used in
almost every corporation, and the courts
had often decided that there must be a ma
jOrity Of the whole number to constitute
quorum. He considered the resolution as
plain attempt at a violation of the Con-
stitution in regard to the organic law.
Mr.. Grimes introduced a resolution in
relation to letters of marque, prizes and
prize goods. The bill authorizes the Pres
ident, when war exists or is declared, to
issue letters Of marque to private vessels.
Mr.. Sherman, from the Committee on
Finance, reported a resolution fixing the
time for the adjournment Of Congress on
Wednesday, the 10th Of July.
Messrs. Sherman, Trumbull, Wade and
others opposed any adjournment of Con-
gaess in the present condition of things.
After further discussion the resolution
was agreed to by yeas %, nays 10.
By common consent, Mr.. Howe was per-
mitted to record his vote in the afirma-
tive on the Confscation bill
Mr.. Henderson called up the bill to re-
fund to the State of Missouri the money
paid to the troops by that State for the sup
4 preston of the rebellion. The bill was
/ passed.
Mr.. Chandler called up the bill in rela-
/ tion to commissioned officers in the revenue
! service. The bill was passed.
! Mr.. Ten Eyck called up the bill provi-
ding for the better security of passengers
on steamboats,. The bill was passed. N
The Senate then went into Executive
Session, and on the opening of the doors
adjourned.
Mr.. Holman movedto lay the bill on the
table. Carried by large majority
The House tabled the bill providing for
the transfer of the District Penitentiary
buildings to the War Department, to be
used for arsenal purposes; and authoriz-
ing contracts to made with the States for
the custody of the prisoners, till the expir-
alton of their terms Of sentence
Several reports Of the Committees Of
Conference were concurred in, including
one Of the disagreements of the bills to
reorganize the Judicial Circuits of the
United States.
The Senate resolution declaring the
meaning of the act authorizing the Presi-
dent to take possession of the railroads
and telegraph lines was passed.
Mr. Colfax called attention to the fact
that the Post Office Department had learned
that an extensive business had been done
in the erasing by chemicals or otherwise
the marks on cancelled postage stamps and
selling them in lots. As there is no pun
ishment for such offence, be reported a bill
} which was passed, Furnishing persons Sc
engaged with the intention Of using such
J stamps, by Imprisonment not exceeding
three years or fine Of Sl,0O0 or both, Al
the discretion of the Court.
Mr.. Mcpherson introduced q resolution
that in cases Of Members of Congress who
have been or shall be absent from then
seat while in the military service of theil
country no deduction shall be made from
their pay as Members, provided they have
not drawn pay as military officers.
Nr. PendletOn, during the debate on
, this resolution, remarked that no MAJ
, could be a member Of Congress and in tht
military service at the same time.
Mr.. Phelps, of Missouri, who raised
regiment Of militia, and who was in tht
! battle of Pea Ridge, said that he had fol
! the period of his service drawn pay as
T Colonel, but no pay as a Member of tn,
House during his absence from his seat.
Mr. Biddle, who was in the military ser
vice five months, said his case was exactly
thatof Mr.. Phelps.
I Mr.. Fouke, who headed an Illinois Tegi
/ ment, remarked that he drew his pay a
/ Colonel while serving, every dollar o