Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-12-15
CONGREGATIONAL.
WAsnrNerox. December =.

fore.
The Speaker appointed the following gentle
men as a special committee to investigate the
charges derogatory to the standing of Mr.. Ashley,
as published in the Toledo Blade and other pa
pers named: Blake Of Ind, NOEL of Mo, Casey
of Ky. Haight OF Ny.
Mr.. Wickliffe introduced a bill for the protec-
ton and relief OF loyal citizens whose property
and slaves have been seized by officers OF the
United States. Referred TO the Judiciary Com
mittee.
Other business of minor importance was trans
acted
Mr.. Stevens offered series of resolutions re
ferring the various parts of the Presidents mes
sage to appropriate committees.
Mr. Richardson severely criticised the message,
urging that most Of it was about the negro and
nothing about the bravery Of our soldiers
On motion of Mr.. Edmonds, il was resolved
that the Committee on Indian Affairs be in
structed TO inquire whether any further legisla-
ton is necessary in relation to Indian funds held
by Government, and report by bill or otherwise.
| On motion of Roscoe Conkling. the President
was requested, il in his opinion it was not incom-
patble with the public interest, TO transmit to the
House the last official report of Gen. Buell..
! Mr.. Van Wyck introduced bill to provide for
the immediate payment of clothing lost in service
by soldiers of the United States army. Also a
bill increasing the pay OF privates, non-commis
stoned officers and musicians.
Both bills were referred to the Committee on
Military Affairs.
Mr. Stevens introduced a bill 10 indemnify
President Lincoln and other persons for suspend
/ ing the privileges of the writ OF habeas corpus,
and tor all acts done in pursuance thereof.
| The bill is the same that offered last week. ]
Mr.. Vallandigham objected to the reading OF
the BILL
Under the rules the question occurred shall
the bill he rejected?
The House refused to reject--34 against go
The bill was then read a second time.
Mr.. Stevens moved to postpone the further con
sideration of the bill till next Thursday, and make
it the special order for that day.
Mr.. Vallandigham objected.
Me-. Cox desired to refer it to the Judiciary
| Committee.
Mr.. Stevens then asked that the bill be put on
/ its passage.
The main question was Ordered--S3 to AZ.
Mr. Olin expressed surprise that any objection
should be made to pOstpOnement when an oppor
tunity Tor its discussion could be afforded. If
postponed until Thursday, it could be examined
with the care and wisdom which the House
should bring to bear upon the subject. What he
/ objected especially to was that measure OF such
great importance, and upon which there was such
diversity of opinion, should be hurriedy thrust
through the House. The President had authori-
~ by law TO exercise all the power he had ex
ercised with regard to the writ of habeas corpus.
/ He concurred with the gentlemen from Pennsyl-
vania (Stevens) that bill of this character was
proper; but while he thus cOncurred, he should
regret to see the bill hurried through without
members knowing its legal provisions. 1t was
discreditable to the House and country. He
should be ashamed to return to his constituents
and say that Congress had passed an act without
/ permitting word. yea or nay, TO be said on the
subject He hoped. for the credit of the House
and the country, that the matter would be post
poned.
! Mr.. Vallandigham said he had objected only
to the bill being made the special order.
Mr.. COfax differed from the gentleman from
Ohio; he did not think the immediate passage of
the bill would be discreditable to the House In
stead of this, it would be creditable. This ques-
ton has been discussed all over the land. whether
the President has power to suspend the writ of
habeas corpus during the rebellion. He stood
ready to vote for the bill to indemnify him. He
hoped the bill would pass at once
| Mr.. Stevens was about addressing the House
on the subject, when
Mr. Vallandigham raised question that Mr..
Stevens had no right. under the rules. to do So
Mr.. Stevens asked fer three minutes to ex-
plain
Mr. Vallandigham objected unless others have
a similar privilege.
Mr.. Holman moved'to lay the bill on the table.
Lost--45 to Sc.
Mr.. Stevens explained. 1t was not his inten
ton to put the bill on its passage, but postpone
men prevented. Massachusetts desired an
amendment that those who had been illegally i'm
prisohed might have their remedy.
Mr. Stevens, in further explanation, said he
doubted the authority Of the President TO sus-
pend the writ OF haheas corpus except from ab
solute necessity during the recess of Congress.
He held that Congress was the sovereign power,
and not the President
The bill pasSed-9O against As
SENATE -Messrs Foster. Sumner, Dixon, La
than. Fessenden. Grimes and King, severally
presented petitions in favor of general bankrupt
act.
Mr. Wright presented memorial from Cover
nor Morton, of Indiana, praying for increase
of pay to common soldiers. Referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Nesmith offered a resolution instructns
the Secretary OF War To report 10 the Senate the
number and ranks of Aid de Camps appointed
under the act of August. 1861; also. the number
and rank of those appointed. drawing pay and
not in active service Adopted.
Mr. Wilson OF Massachusetts, offered a reso-
luton instructing the Secretary of War to report
to the Senate the number of MaiOr Generals and
Brigadier Generals now in the service of the
United States, and where and how they are en-
ployed
Mr. sumner offered a resolution that the call
upon the Secretary Of War for correspondence
and matter relating to the Army of the Poto-
mac, be EXTENDED % embodY all operations
since the first movement of that army, which
was adopted.
Mr. Latham introduced bill to provide for
developing the mineral resources Of the United
States. Referred.
Mr. Salisbury nllled up the resolution re-
lating TO the arrest of certain citizens.
Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts,, objected.
Mr.. Bayard urged the adoption of the resolu-
ton.
Mr. DooIittle said that in all the cases of RI
rest offers of liberty had been made if the
prisoners arrested would take the oath Of al
legiance. He would like to have the resolution
lie over
Mr. Salisbury said that he had referred to
these tive persons because ne had never heard
any charges against them; they had been arrest
rested in "A loyal State, and for no offense what
ever. He thought they had at least the right to
examine into the matter. There was no DISPOSE
ton to oppose the Government Mt all.
After further discussion, the Chair announced
the special order TO be the bankrupt act. which
was informally laid aside.
Mr. Fessenden, from the Committee on FL
nance. reported bill concerning judgments in
certain suits brought by the Unitee States, which
was amended and passed.
The bankrupt bill was then taken up and post
poned and made the special order of the day for
Thursday. the 18th inst
Mr. Davis offered joint resolution proposing
certain amendments 10 the Constitution TO alter
the mode of eleciing the President and Vice
President; that the President and Vice President
be elected in the following manner: Each
State may within 30 DAYS next before the time
appointed for election Of President in any mode
~.