The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-01-29
XXXvII C0ngress--First Session.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 9:

WASHINGTON, Jan. %.
HoUsE-Mr. Blair reported back the hill
to increase the clerical force in the war and
navy departments. Passed.
On motion of Mr.. Blair, it was resolved
that the President inform the House whe,h-
er an act of Congress requiring the officers
Of additional regular regiments appointed
from civil life to be assigned to recruiting
service has been complied with, and, if So
how many officers have been thus employed
since the extra session of Congress.
The House on Committee of the Whole re-
sum ed the consideration of the bill making
appropriations for executive, legislative and
judicial expenses.
Mr.. Spaulding from the Committee on
Ways and Means reported . bill to authorize
the issue of U. s. notes and for the redemp.
ton and funding thereof, and for the fund.
ing of the floating debt of the u s. The
bill was made the special order for Tuesday
Mr.. Diven regretted that there was di.
vision of sentiment as to the principe on
which war should be conducted.
SENArR-Mr. Howe, from the Committee
on Pinanoe, reported back the resolution ap
propriating s o, 900 for expenses of the Joint
Special Committee on War. Passed.
Mr.. Trumbull, from the Judiciary Com
mittee. reported back the House bill in re-
gard to witnesses examined before Con-
gressional Committee. The bill provides
that the examination of witness before .
Congress shall not prevent his examination
in court ofjustice.
Mr.. Harris objected to the bill IS making
q great innovation cn common law rule of
evidence by which witness is not obliged
to testify to anything which may criminate
him. He was opposed to making such in
novation.
Mr.. Bayard moved to strike out that por-
ton Of the bill which compels . witness to
answer questions which may tend to dis
grace or make him infamous.
Mr.. Trumbull explained that the object Of
the bin was to put witnesses on common
law grounds. The law enables the grea test
criminal to escape il he can only get before
an investigating committee and tell some
thing about crime The very case occurred
with the clerk who stole two millions Of In
dian bonds, and he vent clear in that very
way.
Mr.. Diven proceeded to speak in defence
Of the Executive against the opposition Of
those who have professed and still profess to
be friends of the President Gentlemen ~ho
wish to prosecute the war for the purpose ol
abo,ishing slavery must know that this can.
not be done till the Southern army il ami.
hilated, while others who wish to prosecute
the war for the restoration Of the Union
know that this end cannot be attained until
the military strength Of the enemy is de.
stroyed.
Both sides of the question were travelling
the same road. As to the subject Of hostil
tiles then. why should they not unite their
energies. Why introduce distracting ele,
ments! Why not crush the rebellion, and
then deliberately and dispassionately consid
er what use shall be made Of this victorys
Mr.. Lovejoy denied that he was for tn.
prosecution OF tho war for the main objec,
Of abolishing slavery,
Mr.. Diven replied that he did not dcsig
nate the gentleman. (Mr. Lovejoy). III
(Diven,) had remarked that the abolition
sentiment was avowcd herS, AMI that effort.
wero being made for its operation on III,
publ, mind. He was sorry 10 say that to-
many gsnu .men hare had congratulatse