The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-05-03

/ Ransr snssRoN4.s5Fa OoN0nRsss
wAsnsaros, Apsila6. 1pusE-The Speaker
announced the following Special Committee on
the ConAscation Of Rebel property:
Messrs. DIN, Of New York. Elliott, OF Nassa.
chusetts, Noel, Of Missouri, Hutchins, Of Ohio,
Mallory Of Kentucky. Beaman, Of Michigan and
Cobb. of New Jersey. 30
Mr.. OLIN remarked that he had heretofore
asked to be excused from serving on this Com
mittee, End be repeated the reasons for the 70.
quest, which was now compiled with.
On motion Of Nj. MCPHERSON, it was
| Resolved, That the Secretary of War transmit
to the House copies Of the reports Of Comman-
ders Of Regiments, Brigades and Divisions en-
gagged in the battle OF Shiloh, Tenn.
On motion Of Mr. GOOCH the Senate bill for
the recognition Of Hsyti and Liberia, was refer
red to the Cemmitte on Foreign Affairs
On motion OF Mr.. C0LFAX it was
Resolved, That the Judiciary Committee be
| instructed to enquire into the expediency OF re-
porting bill for Furnishing all contractors guilty
Of defrauding the Government, with penalties
similar to those for grand larceny.
Mr.. SPAULDING introduced joint resolu-
| ton, which was referred to tho Committee on
Commerce, authorizing the appointment OF Com
missioners to negotiate concerning the recipro-
city treaty, and authorizing the Presiden to give
the necessary instructions for terminating the
present unfair treaty.
Mr.. ASHLEY reported back from the Com
| mittee on Treasury the dill to prevent and to
punish the practice Of polygamy, and to arrest
certain acts OF the territory establishing sue
! same.
! Mr. MERRILL Of Vermont said It's bill was
the same as that introduced by him two years
ago, with the exception OF the omission OF its
applicability to the District of Columbia. The
| bill was passed.
| The House resumed the consideration Of the
| report on Government Contracts. The first
| resolution reported by them was postponed for
the two weeks The next resolution on the
Secretary was then taken up, and is as fol-
| lows:
That the Secretary of the Treasury be request
ed to adjust the terms of the Government for
the FIVE Thousand Hall carbines, purchased thro'
Simon Stevens by Gen. Jno. @. Fremont, on the
9th day Of August, 1861, and afterwards reject
ed at the U. 8. Arsenal at St. Louis, on the ba-
sis of sale of such arms to the Government
for $l2 80 each, rejecting all other demands
against the Government, on account of the pur-
chase of said arms
Mr.. STEVENS moved the following as sub.
stituts for the above:
That nothing has occurred to lessen our con-
fidence in the honesty, integrity and patriotism,
of Maj Gen. Fremont.
Mr.. WASHBURNE raised the point of order
that the substitute was not genuine
Mr.. STEVENS maintains the original resolu
| ton imposed censure on Gen. Fremont.
The Speaker maintains Mr.. Washburne's point
| of order.
! WASHINGTON, April % --HoUsE.-Mr. SEDG-
WICK further concluded that the Navy Depart
| ment conducted its business with energy and
credit. 1
| Mr.. STEVENS attacked the report of the
Committee, and charged that they had proceed
ed On false principles and acted generally I'M
/ fairly. House adjourned.
SkNATE.-The President pro tenn presented a
communication concerning the number of slaves
in the District OF Columbia. The Secretary said
the statistics were compiled some years ago and
were perhaps not available now. The communi
cation was referred to the Committee on the Dis
trict Of Columbia.
Messrs. KING and SUMNER presented petit
tons in favor Of the emancipation of the slaves.
Mr.. DAVIS presented petitions from Tobacco
Manufacturers, asking for a reduction Of The
proposed tax on Tobacco.
Mr.. WILSON, of Massachusetts,, from the mil
itary committee reported back the bill for tn,
organization OF the Signal Department, ant
moved its indefinite postponement, and it wa
accordingly postponed.
Mr.. WILSON, of Massachusetts, offered res
oluton that the Secretary of War be requested
to inquire into the condition of the Harper's,Ferr
Armory, what damage has been done toit, wha
is the value of the property OF the United State
there now, and what amount is necessary, an
whether it is expedient to restore the Armory
and re-occupy the works. Adopted.
Mr.. POMEROY introduced a bill to proven
tfo rtafto of dali tod 49,
providing a punishment therefor.
On motion of Mr.. WILSON, of Massachusett
the resolutions of the Ohio Legislature, in re
gard to rebels keeping their slaves at Cam
J Chase, was taken up.
. Mr.. SHERMAN had read letter froI
member of the Legislature concerning tn
rebel prisoners who were permitted to go abol
! the city Of Columbus, lounge at the hote
! and abuse the Government with perfect ll5ert,
also an article in the Cincinnati Commercial /
} the same effect; also another article in the Cir
cinnati Gazette, showing that Government wa
} taking measures to have the negroes at Cam
: Chase liberated and the rebel prisoners remove
to proper quarters.
The resolutions were referred to the Militar
Committee.
On motion Of Mr. TRUMBULL the bill for til
more convenient enforcement Of the laws fc
security to keep the peace fer good behavior WI
taken up. g
: After some discussion the bill was passed b
yeas 50, nays 81.
Mr. WADE presented several petitions asl
ing for uniform system of taxation accordin
, to the population of State and persistin
2 against the passage of the tax bill from til
House.
e The Senate went into Executive Session.
WASHINGTON, April 29-HoUsE-Mr BLAI
/ II e IL n 4
ty he yesterday predcated his charge of dislo
atty against Judge Pitts Of Northampton count
Virginia.
Mr.. POTTER replied, on the address of Judg
Pitts TO the Virginia Legislature at Rchmon,
fhe address was now read, in which Judge Pitt
refers to the action by the Legislature to depos
. him without giving him an opportunity for d,
Tense. The contamination of this would b
manifestly unjust He could only plead ne
guilty of dsloyalty to the South and doubte
not he could triumphantly viHdicate himselffrol
every charge his enemies and prosecutors migt
bring against him. He protested against bein
removed from office by extra constitutions
means
. House then resumed the consideration of tn
report of the Select Committee on Governmer
contracts 85
ROSCOE CONKLIN said he voted acains
raising this Committee. 1t seemed that non
could he so honest or eminent, that it could b
desirable to clothe them with the unheard q
power as decided on that occasion,it seems unf
to constitute an advisory board to supervis
, questions Of integrity, relating to every man er
gagged in the administration of departmental al
lars 1t seemed to him rowing commission t
take into consideration the honesty or fraud q
all future contracts to be entered into by an
Department of the Government. 1t brougb
with it grave objections, and little argumen
could be found in its favor. Experience ha
demonstrated that the objections to their mod
had been abundantly substained by the conduc
Of the Committee, which had done grave an il
reparable injustice to both individuals and class
es, these as well as tho nation have suffered b
the declarations of the Committee.
As this Committee was pioneer experiment
and had turned out badly. they could dispens
with it. The gentleman Mr.. Davis) had sail
there was indubitable evidence Of fraud He wa
,, right in assuming that the current expenditure
OF the Government this year was as much a
during the Administration which the peopl
hurled FROM power, because of its corruption
He Mr.. Conkling) remarked that if any maj
J was provided in making that statement, i
would Justify the peop)e in resortinp tn any