The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-01-25
CONGRESSIONAL.
WAsarsGroN. jan 81, 1856.

rage Of printed matter outside Of the mails.
req curing the postage TO be paid. &c
Mr.. Colfax explained and advocated the
bin for tax on printed matter, DC
Mr. Morrill, said the subject should be
considered as postal measure and not as
a meaus OF raising revenue The Commit
tee of w.ys and Meas will propose a
newspaper stamp duty, aud tax on seie-
grams.
The bill requiring newspapers 10 pay post
age when not sent through The mail. came
up. and Mr. Colfax made long argument
in favor of the bill. After long discussion
it was moved to lay the VIII lie subject on
the table. which was disagreed 10 by vote
OF 81 to 90.
Morrill, moved - recommit the bin to TIE
Post Office Committee, which was voied
down.
Colfsx reported substitute, which was
disagreed 20. with all the sections. propos-
ing a tax on kilograms, after which the
original bill was laid on the table 70
against 60.
The Senate bill authorizing the Presiieu,
TO appoint two additional Secretaries OF War
was passed. Adjourned
SENAfE-Mr. Summer. from The Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs. reported back
the resolution To sllow certain officers 10
receive presents from the Japanese govern
ment.
Tha resolution was passed-,eas p. noes
Ia.
Mr.. Browning offered resolution that
the Commute. on the Judiciary inquire into
The expediency OF 50 amending the natarah-
cation law 10 confer rights of citizenship
on all Foreigners who may serve In the pres
ent war.
Mr.. TrumbulI offered hii to regulate
the compensation OF District Attorneys.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson the bill to com
plate the detenses of Washington was taken
up, and the amendment of The House agreed
TO.
Mr.. Wilson offered''a new section. repeal
ing the act allowing the discharge OF mi
nars. and providing that no persons here
after shall be mustered into the service
under eighteen wears of age, but the oath OF
enlistment shall be conclusive as 10 age.
The section was agreed TO.
Mr. Wilson offered another amendment
altering the Articles of Var by providing
the penalty OF death to persons found Turk,
ing as spies. Agreed to.
He also offered an amendment providing
the death penalty for any person eng safe
guards.
After further discussion the bill was laid
over until to morrow.
Mr.. Trambull presented a memorial from
w. c. Jewett. oil Colorado. protesting
against immediate action on the slavery
question as having tendency to prevent
peace. claiming that the sentiments of the
people. either North or South. we're not
represeated in Congress- and proposing joint
action by the North and South for a amend
ment to the Constitution providing for a
gradual emancipation of the slaves in thirty
years.
On motion of Mr.. Wade, the bill to au-
thorize the Secretary of War to appoint three
Assistant Secretaries was taken up
MIR. Wilson offered an amendment as a
sent OF the Senate. appoint two additional
Assistant Secretaries of War, at a salary OF
The mendment was agreed to, and the bill
passed.
MIR. Hale offered resolution regulating
the compensation Of Collectors of Customs
and Naval Officers.
The report of the Judiciary Committee on
the resolution to expel Mr.. Bright was then
taken up.
Mr.. Sumner said the expulsion of a SEN
s,
our duties must be performed especially
when the good name Of the Senate and the
welfare of the country is at stake. Mr.
Bright had always been VIGOROUSLY the
friend and sympathizer of Davis and Slidell
in their schemes in favor Of slavery, and al.
ways voted with them. He (Samner) com
mented -, The address of the letter which
was to His Excellency, Jefferson Davis.
President Of the Confederate States" and
claimed that it was, AS far as possible, the
recognition Of pretender as President OF
the so called Confederate States of America. |
The letter. in its general character. was cor
responding with public enemy and traitor,
and was a kind Of moral aid to the rebels /
1t was a letter of friendship and sympathy,
all the way through, and showed that there
was person who. forgetting what was
due to the country and due t. the rebellion.
stretched forth his hand in friendly saluta
ton. A person who is so mixed up in the
rebellion must be traitor But again. the
writer of that letter on the 7th of Septem
Der. 1861. put forth another letter. to a Mr..
Fitch, defending the first letter; and again,
in debate in the Senate, he declares that he T
has done nothing that be would no, do over
again nnder the same circumstances
Mr. Lane, OF Indiana, said that he should
say nothing on this subject but for the inter
est lac felt in his State. He referred to his
contest for seat here with Mr. Bright three
years ago, but he said be had now TO mem
Dry of the outrage perpetrated on him and
against the honor of Indiana. He had no
personal i'll feeling towards his colleague.
He would do him the justice to say that on
he first day Of the session he came to him.
and toid him that be (Bright) desired and
full investigation of the charges {
made against him. He would give him the
benefit of a manly avowal. but when the
etter was written his colleague must have :
inown that war was 10 result from this un-
loly, unprovoked, AID mad, accursed rebel
ion-war was actually levied on the gov I
rnmeni at that time. Bsfore the first of z
March the rebellion was inaugurated, and
Davis was placed a. its bead A. such
ime letter written by member of
lie Senate TO the arch high priest of the