The New York herald., 1862-04-02
CON G r E S 8.

In the Senate yesterday, resolution was adopt
War to collect evidence in regard to the barbarous
treatment of the Union officers and soldiers by the
rebels after the battle of Bull run, and whether
the rebels have enlisted Indians in their service
Mr. Sumner said it was evident we were IN conflict
with people lower in the scale of civilization
than ourselves, and he wanted record made Tor
history. A bill providing for the better organiza
tion of the militia of the District of Columbia was
introduced The Secretary of War was instructed
to furnish the correspondence of Gen. Wool with
the War Department relative to movements of his
command at Fortress Monroe. The debate on the
bill provid for the abolition of slavery in the
District Columbia was then resumed. Mr..
Wright 40, spoke in opposition, and Mr.. Fes-
sender Maine in favor of the proposition.
In the House of Representatives, memorial
from the Illinois Constitutional Convention, in IA
of the early enlargement of the Illinois and
Michigan Canal, was referred to the Military Com
mittee. The consideration of the Pacific Railroad
bill was further postponed till Tuesday next. Mr..
Hutchns, of Ohio, asked leave to introduce pre-.
amble and resolution setting forth that General
Hooker, commanding on the Lower Potomac, had
issued an order permitting certain slaveowners OF
Maryland to enter his camp and search for fugitive
slaves, and requesting the Committee on the Con-
duct of the War to inquire whether such order is not
a violation of the Article of War recently passed
by Congress, forbidding any officers to return
fugitive slaves TO their masters. Mr.. Wickline of
Kentucky objected to the reception of the resolu-
tion and it was therefore not received. The re-
mainder of the session devoted to discussing
the Tax bill in Committee of the Whole. Mr..
Colfax moved to strike out the section levyng
tax on advertisements; but the committee
fused. The section was, however, modified
to assess the advertisement tax on the amount re-
ceived for the same instead of the amount
charged, while the tax is reduced from five to
three per cent.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
Our European files by the Jura were delivered
here last night. We publish to-day the articles
from the English press referred to by telegraph
from Portland, on the subject of Mr.. Lincons
emancipation message.
The steamship Kangaro. Captain McGuigan,
which sailed from Liverpool at noon on the 18th
and from Queenstown on the Goth of March, ar
rived at this port about past nine o'clock last
night. Her news has been fully anticipated by
the City of New York and Jura.
The Nord, of Brussels, of the 18th March,
says:-"We have announced the arrest of an Off
Ger of the Sumter at Tangier Our correspond.
ence from Madrid gives full details Of this mat.
ter, and adds that public opinion had been So
greatly excited by this circumstance that the
United States steamer which had the prisoner on
board, Immediately after her return, received or
ders to leave the Bay of Algesirss."
Our Bermuda correspondent, writing on the 2lst
of March, announces the arrival of the English
merchant steamer Bermuda at Hamilton, on the
day previous, with fifty tons Of gunpowder on
board. As all the movements connected with her
were kept secret it was presumed that the war
ter-el was destined for the of the rebels at the
South. She had also some passengers, and it was
rumored that Mr.. Slidell made one Of the number.
The Bermuda was cosling for start. and it is to
be hoped that the blockading feet will keep
sharp lookout for her.
The annual election takes place to-day in Rhode
Island Although there are three distinct party
organizations in the State, there is but ticket
offered to the electors, and that has been put for
ward by the democrats The republicans declin.
ed to make any nominations for State officers and
the constitutional Union men endorsed the candi-
dates Of the democracy. The men to be chosen
are the present ncumbents of the Offices for which
they are put forward for reelection. The follow.
ing are their nsmes:-
Fbr Gorewor-wiIlam Sprague
Lieutenant Gor~rnOr-Samuel G. Arnold
Secretary of Stdte-John r. Bartlett.
Attorney Generdl-Water s. Burgos.
General Tcdsurer-Samuel A. Parker.
In the Senate of our State Legislature yesterday,
a number of bills were passed; but they were only
of local or private nature. Among them was
that for the incorporation of the Newburg Home
of the Friendless. The bill legalizing certain acts
of our Common Council was ordered to third
reading. The bill to amend the Excise law was
debated in Committee of the Whole, and the fees
for licenses were fixed at 800 as q maximum and
$40 as minimum. The penalties for violations OF
the law range from $40 TO $3.50, and the smallest
quantity of liquor to be sold without
license is fixed at eight gallons. One or
two other amendments were proposed and
adopted when the committee rose and reported
progress. In the Assembly, the Public Defence
bill was passed, blythe decisive vote of seventy
eight yeas to nine nays. II appropriates three and
half millions of dollars for strengthening the At
lantc and Northern frontier defences of the State
half million of which is exclusively set apart for
this harbor. The Annual Appropriation bill was
also passed. The New York Harbor Mas.
ters' bill was under discussion for some
time, and was finally recommitted to the
committee of nine, to report complete.
The bill relating to the Kings County Com
missioners of Jurors was defeated. Resolutions of
the Maine Legislature, congratulatory Of the recent
Union victories, were received from Governor
Morgan. The Albany and Susquehanna Railroad
bill was again taken up and debated, and after
wards set down as the special order at the hour of
meeting to-day. The select committee of nvest
CATION into the conduct OF the Military Board, CON-
monty called the Shoddy Investigating Committee,