New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-07-12
UOUsE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

| starke, ihomsonI ana "ufhot.
Adjourned.
| HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE.
| Mr. HOOPER, (Rep., Mass from the Committee
on Ways aud Means, reported bill providing for a
National Currency secured by United States stOch,
and for the circulation and redemption thereof.
| The bill was recommitted TO the Committee on
WAYS and Means, and ordered TO be printed.
Mr.. FENTON Rep N. ~, from the Committee
OH Claims, reported bill to reimburse New-York
for the advances made during the late war with
Great Britain.
The House then proceeded to the consideration OF
the private bill.
| Mr.. BINGHAM, from the Judiciary Committee,
reported back the Senate bill with verbal amend
ments 10 prevent members Of Congress aud officers
of the Government from taking considerations for
procuring contracts, office OF place under the Gov
eminent OF the United States.
| Mr.. WICKLIFFE I'm, XVI wished the bill TO be
made explicit. Often an oily adveDurer or leech
upon the Government finds an oily member OF Con-
gress who gets him contract. When the contract
is obtained, the peeuniary object attained, the
successful specuator becomes exceedingly generous
and makes present to his Official friend, either Of a
carriage aud bor'es or something else.
| Mr.. BINGHAM thought the provisions Of the
bill were sufficient. IL prohibited gifts from being
| given or received.
Mr.. WICKLIFFE-Verv well.
The bill was read 1, provides that any Member
Of Congress, or officer Of the Government, or other
person Offering or receiving pecuniary or other con-
alteration, for procuring contracts, or aiding TO pro-
cure them or office under the Government, shall be
liable to Indictment ~ for q misdemeanOr, and on
conviction shall pay line not exceeding $4,000,
and imprisonment not exceeding two years, at the
discretion Of the Court and any such contract may,
at the option of the Pre,ident, be declared abso-
| lutely void. Any Member of Congress officer OF
the Government 30 convicted shall be disqualified
from holding any Office of honor, profit, or trust,
under the Government Of the United States.
| The bill was passed.
| Mr.. WICKLiFFE srggested that there be en-
tered on the journal that the bill was unanimously
passed.
The SPEAKER-There being no objection, the
entry will be made.
| The Home concurred in the report Of the Com
mittee Of Conference on the Naval Appropriation
| bill.
Mr.. PENDLETON Dem, o. introduced bill,
which passed. giving 10 masters and other DILL
GERS on board gunboas the benefit OF the pension
bill passed at the present session. Masters TO re-
ceive the same as captains in the Navy, and eDgi-
neers the lieutensnts ia the Navy.
| The Senate bill enabling the Secretary Of the
Navy to take possession of League leland, rendered
TO the Government by the authorities Of Phiadel-
pba, was taken up.
Mr.. VERREE rep, Pa urged its passage.
| Mr.. FREDERICK A. CONKLING rep, N.Y.
said the slaDd was mudbank, and not such mag
niicent gift az was claimed. IL would involve an
expenditure of two millions.
Sir. RIDDLE (Rep Pal denied that the bill
made any appropriation whatever
Mr.. FISHER rep, Del. made a statement, on
the authority Of G. w. Churchman, that the soil Is
marsh land.
SIR. LEHMAN Dem, Pa replied that the Island
ia the best site Tor naval depot in the United
States.
Mr. KELLEY Rep, Pa said the leland was bis
cunning ground in boybood He knew from obser
walton that there are 400 acres OF high, dry, fast
land.
Dir. MORRILL, rep. Wy caused letter to be
read, signed Joseph n. Pearson, essaying To show
that the leland was totally unfit for the purposes
concentrated and the use of it would be attended
with two or three millions Of dollars expense.
Mr.. Morrill, thought that considering the contra
riety OF opinions about the island the House was in
no condition 10 accept the grant and commence the
expenditures.
Mr. VERREE said he knew the writer of the
letter who was a respectable gentleman, bus who
OWNS property adjoining the present Navy-Yard
Mr.. KELLEY pronounced Mr.. Pearson statement
false and deceptive.
The bill was passed.
MIR. ELIOT rep. Mass. made a report from
the Committee Of Conference on the Contiseaiion
bill. They recommend that the Home recede from
their disagreement and agree 10 the Senate, with
certain notifications, 80 AS 10 provide IN follows:
Every person who shall commit the crime of trea-
son against the United States, and shall be adj
judged guilty thereof, shall suffer dea h, and
4
and made free, or he shall he imprisoned Tor
not less than five years, and fined not less than
$40 600, and all his estate, real and personal, exclud
ding slaves shall be levied upon, any sale or con-
veyance TO the contrary Notwithstanding. If any
person shall hereafter ncite, set foot, assist or
engage, in any rebellion or instruction against the
authority of the United States the laws thereof
or shall give aid comfort to any such existing re-
beon or instruction, and be convicted thereof,
such person shall be punished by the forfeiture
Of oil his personal property oil every kind
whatever, snal be punished by i'm
prisonment ten years, aud fined not exceeding
$40 000 aud lis slaves il lie has any, be liberated at
the discretion of the Court, and all such property,
excluding slaves, shall be forfeited TO the United
States Every person guilty of either of the oilenses
described in this act shall be forever incapable aud
disqualified to hold any office under the United
States This act is not TO be construed in any way
to affect or alter the prosecution, conviction or
punishment of any person guilty Of treason against
tho United States. To insure the speedy
termination of the present rebellion, the Pres-
dent Is authorized to cause the seizure
of all property, real and personal Of all such per-
sons and apply and use the proceeds Of the for
the support OF the United States. Five classes OF
persons are affected by this bill-those who shall
hereafter hold the office of President, vice-Presi
dent, Member Of Congress, foreign Minister, &C.,
under the so-called Confederate States. The Presi-
dent is authorized to issue proclamation, If after
sixty days all persons in rebellion do not return TO
their allegiance, that their property shall be for
feiled, &c. All slaves Of persons hereafter en-
gagged in rebellion, or who shall In any
way give aid and comfort thereto,
escaping 70, and taking refuge within the lines Of
4 N l.. a ~ 81 Al