Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-12-09
NUMBER Al.
CONGRESSIONAL. CONt; n rss
WAsnfNoroN. Dec. {

it was resolved that the committee on
Indian Affairs be instructed to inquire
whether any further legislation is neces-
ssry in relation to the Indian funds held
by the Government, and report by bill or
otherwise.
On motion of Mr.. Conklin the Presi-
dent was requested if in his opinion it
was not incompatible with the public in
tcrcst, to transmit to the House the last
official report of Gen. Buell..
Mr. Van Wyck introduced a bill TO
provide tor the immediate payment cf
the clio hing lost in service by the sol.
di,rs of the United States also bill. in.
creasing the pay # prlvates, non-com-
missioned officers, and musicians. Both
bills were referred TO the committee on
M.itaty Affairs.
Mr.. Stevens introduced bill to in
demnify President Lincoln aud other per-
sons for snspending the privilege Of the
writ of habeds o,pns, and for all acts
done in pursuance thereof. The bill is
the same as that offered last week.
Mr.. Nallandigham objected to reading
the bill a second time, therefore, under
rule, the question occurred, "shall the bill
be rejected e The House refused to re-
jcct--34 against %. The bill was then
read a second time. Mr.. Stevens moved
to postpone the further considerations of
the bill till next Thursday, and make it
the special order for that dav Valan-
digham objected. Cox desired to refer
the matter t. the committee on Judi
ciary. Stevens then asked that the bill
should be put upon its passage. Main
question in ordcrS3 against IL.
Mr.. Olin expressed surprise that any
objection should be made to postpone
ment, when an opportunity for its dis
cussion should be afforded. II postponed
until Thursday it could be examined with
the ease and wisdom which the House
shouli bring to bear upon the subject.
What nc objected to especially was that
4 measure OF such great Importance, and
upon which there was such diversity of
opinion, should be hurricdly thrust thro'
the House. The President had authori-
" hv law TO exercise with regard TO a
with the gentleman from PENNSYLVANIA
tSteyens) that bill of this character was
proper, but while he thus concurred, he
should regret to sec the bill hurried thro'
the House without ten members knowing
its legal provisions. 1t Was discrcd.table
to the House aud country. lie should
feel ashamed to return to his constituents
and say that Congress bad passed an act
without permitting word, yea or nay, to
be said on the subject. lie hoped, for
the credit Of the House and the country,
that the matter would be postponed
Mr.. Nallandigham said he had objected
only to the bill being made the special
order.
Mr.. Colfax differed from Mr.. Ol;n lie
did no, think the immediate passage OF the
bill would be discrcdtalc to the House.
Instead of this, it would be creditab!c.
This question had been discussed all over
the land, as to whether the Prcsidcn, had
power to suspend the writ Of Hubeus cor
pus during the rebellion. lie God
ready to vote for the bill to indemnify
him. Lie hoped that it would pass at
| once.
Mr.. Stevens was about addressing the
House on the subject, when Mr.. Nallan-
| digham raised question that. Mr.. Ste
vcns had no right, under the rules, to
do SO.
Mr. Stevens asked for three minutes to
explain.
Mr.. Nalandigham objected, unless
others have similar privilege.
Mr. Holman moved to lay the bill OIL
the table. Not carried : As to ss.
Mr.. Stevens explained that it was not
his intention to put the bill on IFS passage,
but a postponement was proposed. That
as Massachu. cts desired an amnend-
ment. in order that those who had been
Illegally imprisoned might have rem
edy.
Mr. Stevens, in further explanation, said
lie doubted the authority of the President
to suspend hobcas corpus, except from
absolute necessity during recess. lie
held that Congress was the sovereign
powcr-not the President lie had care
fully copied the bill from prcccdcnts Of
the English Parliament for the las. two
centuries, not adding a word. except what
was necessary under the circumstances Of
the country. The President was justified
in exercising the power at times of our
EXTREMIST peril; when traitors were found
in every household and township, North
and South. The bill passcd-9o agains,
| As.
The following gentlemen wcro appoint
ed as special committee to investigate the
charge dcrogatory Of Representative
Ashley, as published in the Toledo Blade
and other papers, namely: Blake, Of
Indiana ; Noel, Of Missouri; Case, Of
Kentucky.
Mr.. Wickliffe introduced a bill for tho
protection and relief Of loyal citizens
whose property and slaves have been
taken, seized and abstracted by officers
of the army. Referred to judiciary COM
mlttce.
Mr.. Richardson severely criticised the
message, saying that most Of it was about
he negro, and nothing about the bravery
Of our soldiers.
Adjourned.
SESATE.--Messrs. Foster, Sumner,
Dixon, Latham, Fessendcn. Grimes and
KIRBY, scveralIy presented petitions in
favor Of a general bankrupt act.
Mr. Wright presented q memorial
from Governor Morton, Of Indiana, pray.
ing for an increase Of pay Of common
soldiers. Referred to the Committee on