Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-04-12
THIRTY.sEvENTH CONGRESS.
First Session.
WASHINGTON,


WASHINGTON, April IL.
SENATE Mr. Sumner presented o petition
for the employment In the suppression OF the
rebellion Of all classes Of persons without re-
spect to condition or color.
Mr.. Wilson Of Massachusetts introduced q
bill amendatory Of the Fugitive Slave Act
Mr.. Howe offered a resolution, that the Mill.
tary committee be instructed TO inquire what
troops have been or are being mustered into the
service OF the United States as Homo Guardg,
and who refuse to 90 beyond the limits Of their
own State.
Mr.. Lane Of Indiana said taat the War De.
partment was already mastering out Of service
this class of troops.
Mr.. Howe said he had heard this morning
that some troops from Maryland refused to 60
beyond the State line
Mr.. Grimes said he understood that some Of
this class Of troops we're being now enlisted.
The resolution was adopted
Mr.. Henderson offered resolution, that a
majority of the Senators now in the Senate and
duly elected, shall constitute quorum. Re-
ferred to the committee on the Judiciary.
On motion Of Mr.. Sumner, the bill to re-
move all disabilities Of color for carrying the
mails, was passed-yeas "a, nays IL.
Nsys-Messrs. Davis, Henderson, Kennedy,
Lane OF Ind, Latham, Nesmith, Powell,
Starke, Wiley, Wilson OF Mo and Wright.
The con6scation bill was taken up
Mr.. Doolittle said when the bill abolishing
slavery in the District of Columbia was before
the Senate, and aD amendment was offered by
the Senator from Kentucky, he made some re-
marks, and said he could not support the bill
aud the Chicago Tribune said he voted against
the bill, and made remark that all the Re-
publicAns voted for 1t. He should not have no.
ticed 1t if this was the frat time that journal
had misrepresented him. The editor Of that
Journal was enjoying the patronage of the Re-
publican party in the postofHce at Chicago, and
its correspondent here was clerk OF one of the
committees Of the Senate. If that j1urnal
sought to intimdate him, or to levy black mail,
It had mistaken it's man.
After long debate, participated in by Messrs
Trumball and Doolittle, Mr.. Wiley withdrew
his amendment. The Senate went into execu-
tive session, and nfterward adjourned.
HoUaE.-Mr. Nixon was in favor of tho gen.
eral provisions Of the bill now pending before
the committee, recognizing the express consti-
tutional power to abolish slavery here and max.
ing just compensation to the owner. IL was
time for the people Of the South and European
nations to understand that the people OF the
NUTtu are III ehfDcbb III tutb mbttcTy anu DbtOF6
they will submit to the triumph of rebellion
they will, should the necessity of war as q last
resort require IL, arm every slave of rebel mas
ters, drive the rebels beyond their borders, and
hold the territories for the home of the liberated
negroes.
Mr.. CFittenden opposed the bill. 1t was the
worst possible time that such action should be
attempted. It was not dreamed of when Mary.
land and Virginia ceded the District, that Con-
gress would ever exercise such power. Why in
crease agitation at time when our armies are
so successfully engaged in bringing, he trusted,
the war to q conclusion7
Mr.. Bingham replied, contending that no
time was inauspiclous for doing justice and for
removing the odium, shame and disgrace which
had too long been attached to the letter and
spirit Of the Constitution, which had been vic.
lated in the very heart Of the republic.
Mr.. Riddle and Mr.. Hutchins, both Of Ohio, (,
obtained permission to print their remarks in
favor of this bill, without previously delivering
them.
The general debate was closed by vote of
the House.
Mr.. Cradlebaugh offered an amendment, so
as to make the bill apply to the emancipation
Of the white slaves In the Territories. Ii should
not be con6nei strictly to persons Of African
blood. Slavery In the District of Columbia
was nothing compared with that which exists in
some Of the Territories.
Mr.. Lovejoy said the amendment was not ap-
propriate, as il was proposed TO strange the bill
now before them.
The amendment was rejected.
Mr.. Wright offered proviso, requiring the
President to issue proclamation for q special
election, majority Of the legal voters being re-
al CO. nd eotifu tho unt
Mr.. Wright's amendment was rejected,
Mr.. WadsWorth unsuccessfully sought ia
amend the second section, arguing that Con
gress cannot discriminate between loyal and
disloyal men, in making compensation fol
slaves.
Mr.. Bidde opposed the bill as insxpeden
and inopportune.
Mr.. Dunn expressed his establishment tha
any member should wish to pass 1t through
without sff5rding an opportunity to effer amend
ments to measure of such Importance.
Mr.. Harding moved to strike out the provisc
that the entire sum appraised and apportlonet
shall not exceed In the aggregate an amount
equal to three hundred dollars for each persor
shown to have been so held by lawful claim,- -
He said there was a strange, unusual haste
manifested for this bill.
Mr.. Lovejoy expressed HE desire to speak,
Mr.. Harding replied, when the gentleman
gets sober on the motion will hear him with
pleasure.
Mr.. LovejOy said he asked no courtesy from
the gentleman.
MI. Harding concluded, after which
Mr.. Lovejoy spoke Of robbing slaves of thei
rights, and said every one has been robbed
| He expended his fve minutes In speaking O
what he termed the sublimity Of infamy.
/ Mr.. Harding's amendment was rejected.
Mr.. Wickliffe offered an amendment to strik
out the clause excluding Witnesses on aocoun
Of color, saying this was contrary to the law 0
the District.
Mr.. Stevens said that was an outrageous Law
j A man of credit, whether black or white, ough
to be q witness.
i Mr.. Wicklffe'e amendment was rejected.
Mr.. Dunn said 1t Was the determination q
some gentlemen TO pass the bill, no matter ho
imperfect II was. There was higher tribuns
than thls--the American people--to which the
Iwsrc responsible.