The New York herald., 1862-03-06

most oeen entirely interrupted In consequence OF the
unprecedented Hoods the overland mail could not run
ships plying from Now Yor 70 10 hal DECIDED they
MOULD not carry the mails government dispatches
Tins was an outrage ON tho government and the com
moiciM community. This very company received ton
millions from the government but now they take tho
Opportunity 70 force mail contract from the govern
ment. such vessels ought not 10 be allowed TO clear
from our ports or be allowed the protection Of our flag
country.
The bill was referred.
THE CAPITOL EXTENSION.
On motion OF Mr. Foor (rep Of W., the Joint rosolu-
so sion the supervision Of the Capitol exsen
OF the Interior, was taken up.
Mr.. Foor said this supervision was in the Interior
Department till the accession of Pierce and JEFF Davis
and was continued in the War Department under
Davis and Floyd 1t was sufficient to say that, after
sgs yesrs Of military and
maned unfinished. This proposition to transfer was
caused by no feeling against the War Department for tho
country for his loyalty fidelity and ability. But he (Mr
Stanton had no time to spare and Gen. Megs the Super
intendent had no time to spare Something was neces'
sary to be done to preserve the building the damage
II suffers from every storm.
The bill discussed till tho expiration of tho
Ing hour, when the Coniscaton bill was taken up
SPEECH OF MR.. MORRILL, ON TBE CoNFiScAT1ON BILL
Mr. MoRRItL, (rep) OF Me-, said the bill had been cha
racterzed as extraordinary lie admitted it not in
the class OF ordinary legislation but that had better
never have been born who shrks from responsibility at
this me The bill proposes exercise the extreme au
down The rebellion The power Of the government de-
pends on the actual condition of the country-whether
peace or war; He oontended that the government was
Up fact in state of war and whie it was in such state
the government had unlimited power over enemies in
order to preserve Itself He said that the constitution
provides for the government In me Of peace with mi
ations but In tmo OF war Il gayo unlimited power to
the government, and 1t not to be considered
hamper every honest endeavor to the govern
ment ASSUMING that the nation was In state OF war,
tho provides beyond question that the power
Of sefdefence is lodged in Congress- and nowhere ose
Of war was the right Of conscton of the persons and
property Of tho enomy He quoted from Grotus and the
Court that war gave tho power of conscation
and the Supreme Court held that Congress had unrestrct
ed power. He claimed that the question Of tho right Of
robes to control slaves was connected with this question
Of conscaton 1--we have right to take thoir property
ports the war, and which in this case is tho be.
Yct there are those who think we may take the pro-
perty but must not touch the slaves. There
to be an attempt to connect institution and institution
together and constantly stumble at the method of
putting down the rebellion with the false idea that slave
that there was any such connection, and de-
cared that whatever made war against the government
But difficulties were constantly suggested, and
when at last we called to advance into the eneys
country, the great socitude seems have been how
could best do with the least possible injury TO the
f0s and II seems to be doubted whether IL Is con-
stitutiona to advance at ALL if thereby slavery to be
endangered. He contendod that the enemies of the
country had forfeited all rights Of person and property
Je Davis was trying TO found empire and break up
government, ana ASKS 10 Do let alone; ana
niles of all free government holding high carnival
and We were told by maloonents that endanger
ing our Christian character BY refusing to be ruined.
This was old struggle for free government and free
institutions. He would award TO the leaders of the
rebellion the punishment they deserved but to de-
ceved people he would grant ap amnesty This struggle
must be carried through successfuy Great interests
were involved and demanded II. IL was in harmony
with the aspirations Of oil ages and the principles Of
truth and justice, which were eternal.
The bill was postponed till to morrow.
IMPORTANT TO CONTRACTORS
Mr.. DIXON, (rcp) Of Conn.,. offered Joint resolution
authorizing the Secretary Of the Navy TO make equitable
settlements with those who under penalty for failing
to construct machinery by the day fixed in the contract
Referred TO the Naval Committee.
C0DHIcAr0N q TIE DISTRICT LAWS.
On motion Of Mr. GRiMfs, Crep.) Of Iowa. the bill TO
provide for the codcation and revision Of the laws Of
the District Of Columbia taken up and passed.
PAY AND ENoLUNENs OF Army oPpICSss.
The bill TO define tho pay and cnouments Of certain
officers OF the army was taken up and several unpor
tant amendments adopted On the amendment relative
| to chapains'for hospitals, discussion ensued.
Mr.. WILSON, (Union) Of NO.. said there were but few
hospital chapains, and army ohaplans limited one
to each regiment He did not believe had over five
hundred thousand men in the fold, though the Paymas
ter reports seven hundred and forty regiments. Reg
ments authorized In very loose manner. Even
clerk in the War Department, who now occupies foreign
position. was authorized to raise regiments.
Mr.. NEsxnH, (opp) of Oregon, thought had better
reduce the number OF chaplans as financial measure
We were paying for chapains now 81 ,O64 500.
After further discussion the pay Of ali chapains was
fixed At 81 200 per year, and the bill postponed till to
morrow.
wLsrERN WAR CLAns.
Mr. SHERMAN, (rep) Of Ohio, made report from tho
ment OF the awards to the Commission Claims In ths
Western Department, which agreed TO.
The Senate went into executive session.
Adjourned.