Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-04-17
xxxv1tA cONGREss-rlr.t session
SENATE.


WASHINGTON, April 16.
Memorials in favor of and against the bank
rupt law were presented.
MIR. HARRIS presented petitions in favor of
the circulation of all newspapers published in
the loyal states in the mails
Mr.. GRIMES stated that it was the unani-
nous wish that Mr. Hale withdraw his resig.
nation from the naval committee, remarking
that the committee has always been harmoni-
GUS in its action. Mr. Hale withdrew his res j..
ignation.
Mr. TRUMBULL reported bill concerning
federal courts in Michigan. Passed. He also
reported bill for the better enforcement of
the laws of the United States. Laid over
A joint resolution relating to the compen.
sation of senators appointed to fill vacancies
was reported and referred. Mr. PoMERoY in
tr0duced bill providing territorial govern
ment for Lanawalla. Referred.
The resolution relative to the arrest of Gen.
Stone was taken up.
Mr.. McDOUGAL animadveTted on the
course OF the committee on the conduct of
the war. The confscation bill was taken up,
and Mr. POWELL opposed it at great length.
After Mr.. POWELL concluded the bill was
postponed to Friday. A message from the
approving the bill aboIishing slavery in the
District Of Columbia
The death of representative Cooper was an
nounced, and after the customary resolutions
adjourned.
HOUSE
Mr.. SrRATToN reported Joint resolution
amending the act authorizing the secretary of
the treasury to issue certificates, requiring
such certificates to bear date at the time
claims are audited ard settled.
MIR RICE reported joint resolution author
-. . A. IL
contractors when they have filled their obiga-
tons, with fifty per cent. additional. Passed.
The bill organizing signal corps in the army
for the present war was taken up and passed,
The following resolution was adopted from the
judiciary committee -
Resolved, That the government should not
intectere with the free transmission Of intelli.
gence by telegraph when the same does not
aid the enemy or give him information con.
corning military or naval operations, on the
part of this government, except it may be-
come necessary under the authority of con.
gress to assume exclusive use of the telegraph
for its own legitimate purposes, or TO assert
the right of priority in the transmission of its
own dispatches.
Fourteen bills with joint resolution rela-
tive to the FORGETTING of property by the rebels,
and making it penal offence for the army
or navy to return fugitive slaves, and in-
Guiding kindred subjects, reported the TWEEN
tieth of March with recommendation from the
judiciary committee, that it ought not to pass,
came up today, the question being on laying
them severally, on the table; but proceedings
were suspended by report from Morrill, of
ways and means of bill appropriating thirty
millions to pay the volunteers also, one hun
dred Thousand for paying bounty and pensions
to the officers and soldiers OF the western de-
partment. Mr.. MorrilIs bill was passed.
A message was received from the president
announcing that he had signed the bill abolish
ing slavery in the district OF Columbia.
The death of Mr.. Cooper was announced.
Euogies were pronounced, and the custo
mary resolutions adopted. Adjourned.