Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-26
Night Dispatches.
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, May "a.


SENATE.-Mr Wilson, of Massachusetts,,
introduced bill to legalize and confirm the act
of the President, accepting volunteers under the
act of 22d July, 1861, and to authorize the ac-
ceptance of two hundred thousand additional I'M
der that act. Referred.
He also introduced bill to amend the fugitive
slave law.
The tax bill was taken up and considered at
length.
The tax on carriages, yachts, watches, organs.
pianos, billiard tables, gold and silver plate, and
dogs, was struck out.
The tax on railroads, steamboats, and ferry
boats was amended so as to make the tax on
steam railroads and steamboats, eight per cent. of
the gross receipts for passengers; on horse rail-
roads and ferry boats and a half per cent. of
the gross receipts for passengers; and on toll
bridges three per cent. of the gross earnings.
The tax on insurance companies was amended
so as to tax fire and marine insurance compa-
MES three per cent. on the gross receipts from
premiums or asses sment.
Having reached the l06th section, the Senate
adjourned till Monday.
HOUSE.-Mr Wicklffe rose to what he con-
sdered TO be question of privilege.
WHEREAS, 1t is represented th.t the civil and
judicial powers of the District, in the rightful
ercise of their power, have been INSTRUCTED by
force; that military and armed power, pretend
ing to act by the authority of the so-called Mill
tary Governor of this District, by force, arrested
and imprisoned the jaor of the Jail in this Dis
trict, took from he keys of the Jail, imprisoned
the Deputy Marshal and released prisoner law
fully confined aud committed to the said jail bg
the judicial power of this District; that private
citizens, called to the aid of the Deputy Marshal,
were in like manner imprisoned by said military
agency; therefore,
ResoLUed, That a committee of five be ap-
pointed to inquire into the facts alleged and such
other acts connected with the illegal imprison-
ment of private citizens as may explain the
causes and give the reasons of such conduct to
the Marshal and Jailor, and the judicial acts of
the officer concerned. and report the same to this
House, with recommendation as to such inter-
ference, and that the committee have the power
TO send for witnesses and examine them upon
oath.
The Speaker could not see that this was ques-
ton of privilege.
Mr.. Wickliffe stated that this conflict of iuris-
diction might lead to bloodshed. If the liberties
OF this country are not privileged questions, what
are?
The question not being entertained, the House
resumed the consideration of the confscation
BILL
Mr. Kellogg of Illinois argued the right of con-
tiscation as an incident of the war under the Con
stituton, in civil war and rebellion well as to
foreign enemies. He was in favor of judicious
confscation bull especially for the punishment of
the leaders of the rebellion. He maintained that
we ought to strip the enemy of his strength and
thus augment our own. A nation that will not
resort to the most efficient means to preserve and
ensure obedience to its authority is grossly dere-
let of duty. The penalty for treason ought 10
be enforced.
| Mr.. Harding said that the wicked course of the
Southern rebels was calculated to arouse passion
and prejudice on the part of Northern men, and
the danger was the latter would act from these
influences and not with view to the prosperity
and perpetuity of the country. Emancipation
and confscation would be fatal to the restoration
of the Government, and yet there are men here
rash enough to try the experiment. This view
of the pending bill he deliberately discussed.
| Mr.. Train opposed con6scation and enancipa-
tion The former too sweeping; but would
receive slaves into the army, using them any way
to suppress rebellion.
Mr.. Thomas opposed con6scation.
| Mr.. Edwards favored it.
Mr.. Richardson opposed confscation, quoting
Douglas as against it.
Mr.. Whaley favored it.
The House then took recess.