Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-07-17
THIRTX.SEvENTR CONGRESS.
First Session.

WASHINGTON, July Is.
SESATE-EvenDg.- Foster called up tHs
bill in relation to the competency of witnesses
10 the United States Courts.
Mr.. Sumner moved to amend, that no wit
nesses be excluded on account of color. He
spoke at some length In favor Of the amend
M :, which was rejected after dscussion--lA
t, q.
Mr. Davis offered an amendment, providing
for the punishment of rebels or disloyal persons,
Rejected-lS to 10 The bill then passed.
Mr.. Foster called up the bill amendatory Of
acts prohibiting the slave trade. Passed.
The bill for the dschafgDg Of State prison
ere was then taken up.
Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts, moved to
strike out the two first sections OF the bill pro.
viding for the decnarge of all State p iscners
and taking bail, and leaving 10 the bill one
habeas corpus act When necessary.
Mr.. Wilson said there was overwhelming ev-
idence in possession Of the Department against
these men. He was opposed to the bill in any
shape.
Mr. Trumbull said---Is the Senator from the
loys district Of Massachusetts 10 favor OF put.
ting men from the loyal States In prison with
out telling what the charges are. How does he
know that they are traitors7 What is the Con.
stitution good for, If in districts where there 10
peace and the laws are not interfered with, men
cannot claim the benefit of the CoIstitution3
Mr.. Wilson continued and declared there was
overwhelming evidence against many OF these
men.
AT 10 O'Clock the Senate went into executive
session, and subsequently, adjourned.
WASHINGTON, July l6.
SENATE Mr. Wilson of Massachusetts,. from
the military committee, reported back the bill
to authorize the raising of volunteer force for
the better defense of the State of Kentucky,
and asked to be discharged from !ts further con.
eiderstion.
Mr.. Davis Of Kentucky called the bill up,
and urged Its passage.
Messrs Wilson, and Colamer OF Vermont,
opposed the passage of the hill
Mr.. Clark thought that Kentucky should not
be allowed to raise troops simply to fshS on her
own coil. He said that at one time there we're
sixteen men from rural town in New Hamp
shire in one regiment OF the army of the Poto-
mao, but he was Informed that not one Of them
was alive now. Not one OF them psrished by
the bullet, the sab'e or the bayonet, but all died
In the trenches OF Virginia How could he ask
bis own people to go and fight, and die, and rot
by the way side In Virgins, when Kentucky was
al owed to have troops paid by the Government
who only fght in the State Of Kentucky, and do
easy eervice within ber own doors
The bill was then laid aside informally,
After long debate, Mr.. Powell offered an
amendment 70 strike out the word "reaI," so
as to have Limitation of life forfeiture apply to
property.
A long debate ensued. and Mr.. Powell's
amendment was rtjected-25 to Is
M. CIark's amendment was ,nen adopted
25 to is.
Mr. Clstk offered further amendment, that
the wosds 'great amnesty" authorizes the Pres.
ident to restore the property selsed under the
oil to any person found innocent. Agreed TO,
ard the resolution passed.
The bill providing for more prompt settle.
ment OF the accounts Of dishursing officers
passed
i The Senate passed o resolution amending the
act to prov de tor internal revenue.
The House resolution providing that IL be
voted an excuse for absence from duty 10 Coo.
gress, TO 90 In active service, passed with an
amendment making it conditional shat the mill
tary service be wi hout pay. tt
/ The bill for the discharge Of State prisoners
c., was taken up, The section Authorisiug ,hs
President to suspend habeas corpus was amend
cd so as 10 limit it 10 the time when Congress
10 not in session.
Il M. Wilson's amendment to sIrike out the hra
two secioDs was rejected.-ls against 10.
The bill was further am ended so that prison
eIs would not be discharged without taking tht
oath OF allegiance. Debate ensued. .
Recess till seven o'clock @
II HouE.-Mr. White, Of Indiana, from th
select committee on gradual emancipation, Il
TO whom ,be Pfesidens's recent message an
draft OF Q bill we're referred. reported bill
. providing that whenever The President shall b
. III flv1 that Maryland, Delswsre, Virginis
. Kentucky, Tennessee or Mlssouri, has sdopte
. measures for emancIpatiDg the slaves throuet
I, out either or all these States, IL shall be ,h
duty Of the President assisted BY the seevstaI