Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-07-10
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON. July 9.
SENATE.

W@AohiNNAO4'i " uAy .
SENATE.
Mr. Foster, from the Judiciary Commit
tee, reported back the bill to change the
place Of holding the Circuit Court of the
United States, so far as the District of
Western Tennessee is concerned.
Mr.. Foster also reported from the same
Committee the bill amendatOry to the act
to prohibit the slave trade The bill au-
thorizes the President to make arrange
ments with foreign governments, especial
ly with Denmark, for the colonization of
captured Africans.
Mr.. King, from the Military Committee,
reported bfll for the employment of per
sons Of African descent in building in
trenchments, and for other war purposes.
On motion of Mr.. Sherman, the resolu-
ton In relation to quorum Of the Senate
was taken up.
Mr.. Sherman urged the passage Of the
resolution as a matter of necessity to re-
lieve the Senate from the danger Of being
left without quorum any time by with
drawal Of one or two members. He ar
gued there could be no constitutional OBJ
lection to the bill
Mr.. Carlisle argued against the passage
of the resolution as giving to two or three
States power to legislate for the whole
country. This was entirely against the
provisions of the Constitution.
The President pro tem., had a paper read
expressing his views on the subject, ar
guing that according to the Constitution
no State could be destroyed, that the quo
rum provided for in the Constitution meant
& majority of the whole number of Sena-
tors from all the States. He cited various
cases Of the action of the Senate as pre-
cedent in favor Of this question.
The subject was further discussed by
Messrs. McDougal and Foster, when Mr.,
Grimes moved to lay the resolution on the
table. The motion was carried. Yeas IS,
nays Is.
The Naval Grade bill was taken up and
passed.
On motion of Mr.. Wade, the Post Route
bill, providing for a bridge across the Ohio
River at Steubenville, was taken up.
Mr.. Cowans amendment, to make the
draw 800 feet instead Of 270, was lost
Toe bill then passed.
The report of the Committee of Confer
enee on the bill making an appropriation
/ for sundry civil expenses was agreed to.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson, the bill amend
atory of the act Of 1895 calling for the
militia, Sc, was taken up.
Mr. Grimes Altered an amendment, as 8
new section, that there shall be no exemp
ton from the performance of military
duty under this act by reason of any mill
| tia law of the United States on account o.
color or lineage, that whenever th'
militia shall be called into service
all loyal able-bOdied persons shall b,
called into the defense Of the country thai
when the military shall be called into the
service of the United States under this Of
any other laws, the President shall havt
the power to organize them into battalions
regiments, brigades and divisions, accord
ing to race or color, as he may believe tn,
public interest requires, and that the pro
visions of the preceding sections shall b
construed so as to apply to and Include
volunteers who may hereafter be ealle'
into the service of the United States, ant
all persons who have been or may hereaf
4 ter be enrolled in the service Of the United
States, shall receive the same pay and ra
tions as the soldiers are now allowed b,
law, according to their respective grades.
Mr.. Salisbury thought that this attemp
to elevate the " miserable Niger" AM
carry on the war in this way, was neve
intended by the people. It would not re
store the Union.
Mr.. Carlisle thought that if negroe
were not recognized as militia by the Con
stitution of the United States, or the Stat
Constitution, Congress had no right t
make them militia.
l. Mr.. King moved to amend Mr.. Grimes
amendment by striking out all but tn
provisions in regard to ratiOns, &C., an
insert two sections Of the bill introduce
by him authorizing the President to re
ceive into the service Of the United States
for the purpose of constructing entrenoh
ments OF other camp service or labor 70
which they are fitted, persons of Africa
descent, and such persons shall be enrolle
under proper regulations; and where an
man or boy of the African race render
such service, his mother, wife or childre
shall be forever free; aud appropriatin
Sl0,O00,000 to carry this into effect.
Mr.. Salisbury thought this was only
general scheme Of emancipation.
Mr.. Sherman said the question wa
whether the negroes should only be en-
ployed to help the rebels Rather tha
the Union should be destroyed, he woul
organize great army Of black men, an
desolate every Southern State. He wa
willing to pass eOnseript act, if neees
sary, and we might as well draft negroe
as any one else. We have a right to ca
negroes into the service Of the Unite
States. We must, to certain extent, fol
, low the bad example of the rebels, and in
fuse more energy into our military move
ments. Those rebels resort to all sorts G
expedients, and make the negroes work an
fight. When that is done, cannot we EN-
ploy negroes in nseful service for us The
,, hang Union men, but we cannot talk G
hanging traitOrs In such way we vii
never end this contest; and he though
, the time had come when We should carr
. the whole force Of the government in earn
. est, and put down the rebellion. Unles
we do this, we shall never succeed.
A long debate ensued.
= Mr.. Fessenden urged on the governmen
the practicability Of employing negrOe
a. ANsra