Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-01-09
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llousE,-On motion OF MIR. Duell reso.
luton was adopted instructing the committee
on the District Of COLUMBIA, 10 inquire into
the eypediency Of establishing steam tire
department similar TO tina, OF Philadelphia,
Mr., Rosc Conkling rising TO question of
privilege called atter,on 90 tbe fact thst on
The second day of the session resolution
was Adopted with eierenee to the battle of
Balls Bull. The resolution proposed no
iaveste alton INTO any future transactions
whatever. Il simply reqa' slei the Secretary
OF War to inform the liou,e whether any
steps have been taken 10 ascertain who are
responsible for the disastrous affair at Balls
Buff The resolution was handed TO the
A jutant General, who submitted il to the
! Cemmander.in-chief. lie (Conkline) was
unwilling 70 believe the Commander-in-chief
had read IT,, because he could not impute to
him design 10 trine with the House, and
return an evasiye answer. Ii he did read il
be cent ,inly isuniers'o,d lis Iup poe lie
seemed TO have received the impression that
a further Inquiry was 10 be instituted, and
that OF very general character, and accord.
| ngly he expressed the opinion to the Adju-
tant General which was reported TO the Sec
retary Of war. and by the latter transmitted
|
did not inform the House hat steps had been
taken to show who was TO blame Tor the Ball
Bluff disaster. The response was evasve.
Now this was disregard of the privileges of
the House which ought TO receive, and re-
quires prompt notice. We cannot consent
to a trampling on of our rights. We should
watch with jealous eye the wholesome right
of inquiry. The inquiry related to great
national calamity, to the most atrocious mill
tary murder ever committed in our history,
TO the most humiliating triumph of the rebel
lion, blunder so gross that every man can
see it, and no one has ever dared to deny or
defend it. Besides the defeat and the large
loss OF arms and munitions Of war, there was
a sacrifice of $50 men. The resolution to
which he (Conkling) referred was proposed
out of respect to the memory of these men
and in Difference to the public propriety and
self resp ct OF the nation. 1t was to inquire
whether the military authorities have taken
any steps whatever TO ascertain who is re-
sponsible for the slaughter OF the sons of New
York, OF Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
Gen. Stone who was at the time in com
maud is member of the regul IT army. Col
Baker was a volunteer. The respective
friends of these Generals have raised a ques-
ton as to the merits OF the case involving
the efficiency Of regulars and volunteers.
lie (Conkling) had no federation for such
a controversy. An inquiry was absolutely
necessary. The man who is to blame should
fall upon bis knees and ask p,rion. 1t Col
Baker was responsible most lamentably has
he suffered Ii Gen. Stone is responsible a
greater weight of guilt never rested upon any
other man than upon him. .s
MIR. Richardson inquired whether this was
question OF privilege. The speaker sub
united the question to the House, which de-
clded that il was.
Mr.. Richardson offered an amendment 10
Mr.. Conkhnss resolution that the Secretary
OF War also report TO the House, if compa'i l.
BILE with the public Interests, who is response
BILE for the defeat at Wilson'S Greek, near
Springfield, and Lexington. Disagreed to-
10 against 81.
MIR. Conkling's resolution was adopted
| 20 against Ga,
NJ. WJc>Itfe offered a resolution which
was adopted, iusrnctng the committee or
Judiciary TO inquire into the expediency Of
providing by law for making final the deciS
ions of the board of commissioners now en-
gagged in deciding upon contracts growing on
OF the operations Of the Western Mihtar,
Department,
Dir. Stevens asked and obtained leave It
report join resolution explanatory of th'
recent act imposing duties on lea, coffee an
sugar. He said this was necessary, owing t
the construction given to the act BY the Sec
e rotary OF the Treasury. Passed.
= Adjourned