The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-03-13

xxxyII Consress--First Session

AStAAASNAA LOe AO0~'
xxxyII Congress--First Session.
w l-2'E WAsnrNGros, March 8.
HousR-Mr. Burlington introduced . blll
authorizing the appointment Of two 1nspec.
tor Generals. Referred to the Committee on
Military Affairs.
Mr.. Aldrich reported bill to increase the
Medical efficiency ofthe army. sRaf -
The House concurred in the report Of the
Conference Committee on the disagreeing
amendments 70 the joint resolution provi
ding for the payment of the demands and
awards Of the Commission to investigate the
claims growing out Of the military operations
n the Western department.
The House then took up the Senate bill
providing for the organization ofthe staff at
tached to the Divisions Of the United States
Regular and Volunteer ssrvice.
Mr.. Blair, of Missouri, explained that the
bill proposed no increase Of the army, but
allowed certain officers to be detailed for
staff duty. The passage Of the measure
was deemed essential by military officers.
Mr.. Mcpherson, opposing the bin, said is'
would increase the staff Of every division
and proportionately the expense. Under
present circumstances the President can in.
crease the staff of any Division when an en-
ersency requires it.
After further debate the bill as amended
was passed. esq H.
The Speaker laid before the House mes
sage from President Linco In suggesting the
passage of joint resolution providing for
cooperation with any State for the abolition
Of slavery with pecuniary compensation.
The Preudcnt proposes this as an initia-
tive step, predicting important practical re-
suits therefrom.
On motion of Mr.. Stevens the bill was
referred to the Committee of the Whole.
The House went into Committee of the
Whole on the bill to regulate the ranking
privilege. a
SENATs.-Mr. Harris presenteda a petition
in favor of conferring the rank ofMajor Gen.
eral on Gen. John q. Wool. Also, presca-
ted petition in favor Of the emancipation Of
the slaves.
Messrs. Harlan and Collamer also presen-
tel petitions in favor Of emancipating the
slaves. & .l-
Mr.. Fessenden from the Committee on
Finance, reported back the appropriation
bill without amendment. Il ga
Mr.. ColIamer from the Post Office Com
mittee, reported back the Postal order
bill @ h
Mr.. Hale from the Naval Committee, re-
ported joint resolution, rendering the
thanks of Congress to Com. rGoldsborough
and his officers and seamen for their gal
liant conduct at Roanoke Island. Adop.
ted. osr.-...- f,-,....-
On motion of Mr.. Sherman, the bill in re-
lation to the pay of members adopted ma
king the mileage Of members 20 cents per
mile. After some discussion, at one O clock
the Senate went into Executive session. !.
Mr.. Powell spoke in opposition to extreme
measures. This was time for patriotism
and love of the Union. He was at loss to
see how it was necessary to set the slaves
free as an alternative in the suppression of
the rebellion. This was not . war for
the destruction Of the South, but for the res
toration of respect to the authority of the
Government. Everywhere behind the dark
clouds of rebellion the sky Of 1.-THE Union was
clear and bright, and the stars were spark
ling in all their beauty. Soon it would be
that the dark clouds would pass away and
one by one the stars void re-appear in all
their glory and:people would thank God they
were all there. a
Mr.. Davis said never again would slavery
become the controlling power Of the Govern
ment. Let it be known that while we are
true to the compromises of the Constitution
we now feel ourselves absolved therefrom by
the acts of armed shareholders.
President to-day transmitted to Congress s
the following message :eal
Fsllow Citizeas ofMe Senate and House Of
| Representatives :sqg ig4e
| Ireccommend the adoption Of . joint res.
olution by your Honorable bodies which shall
be substantially as follows: rr
Rssolcsd, That the United States ought to
cooperate with any State which may adop.
gradual abolishment Of slavery, giving to
such State pecuniary aid to be used by such
State in its discretion to compensate for the
inconveniences, public or private, produced
| by sach change Of system. ao ssc fts
ifthe proposition contained in the reso-
luton doss not meet the approval Of Con.
gress and the country, there is the end but
I lift does command such approval, deem It
of fimportanos that the people immediately
interested should at once be distinctly mott.
fed of the fact so that they may begin to
consider whether to accept or reject It. na
| The Federal Government would bind its hi
CHEST interest in such ameasure as one Of the
most efficient measures Of selfpreservation.
The leaders Of the existing insurection en-
tcrtain the people with the hope that the
Government vii ultimately he forced to ack-
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