Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-01-29
xXxvIIth CONGREss-FIrst Session.
WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Jan. IS.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Mr. HARRIS presented a petition of large
number of merchants of New York, in favor
of the restoration of the warehousing system
Mr.. SALISBURY presented petitions of the
citizens OF Illinois, asking congress not to abol-
ish slavery in the District OF Columbia, and
asking tor the expulsion of the members who
sympathiZe with such an act. Also asking
that the title of general by law be taken from
John g. Fremont and that his frauds in the
western department be fully exposed.
Mr.. FOSTER offered a resolution that the
secretary of the treasury inform the senate
what, il any, further legislation was necessary
to enable the executive department 10 take
charge of the cotton lands in South Carolina,
now in the possession OF the government, to
place some under cultivation. Also, it any
further legislation is necessary to provide for
the negroes in those localities and furnish
them proper employment. Adopted.
Mr.. SUMNER introduced bill to provide for
the revision and consolidation Of the statutes
of the United States. Referred.
On motion OF Mr. WADE the bill to author
ize the president to take possession of certain
railroads and telegraph lines was taken up
Mr.. WADE said the bill was intended only
as a war measure. 1t will only affect such
roads as are not willing should be used. by the
government.
After some discussion, Mr., TRUMBULL
moved to amend so to confine the operation
of the bill to the states declared in state of
insurrecion Mr.. SUMNER moved to add
where actually was the seat of war.
Mr.. WADE did not want any immunity for
other states. Ii he had power, he would hang
traitors and bridge burners twice over, if in
loyal states.
MIR. TRUMBULL was willing to punish trait
ors anywhere, only he wanted to confine Mill.
tary punishmentS to states where the judicial
power is not exercised.
Mr.. WILSON said the government wanted
power to move large bodies of troops over the
roads at any time, and might require all the
rolling stock, &C., Of several roads at once.
Mr. FEssENDEN opposed giving by enact
ment any commander power to shoot any
person who interferes against the government.
Better leave the war power in full force to be
used by the commander in-chief.
Mr. WADE argued that the war power be-
longed to congress, and he for one would new.
er give up such power. He never supposed
congress had not power over the president,
but congress could not punish citizens only
according to the constitution.
Mr. DooLITTLE said, if the president has
not power TO suspend the habeas corpus or
proclaim martial law, congress ought to give
him what power is necessary.
Mr.. CowAN said, when congress declares
war it coniers on the president all the powers
necessary to accomplish the object desired.
Congress has no right to decide how the pres-
dent shall carry on war.
Mr.. TRUMBULL said congress had entire
power, and entered protest against the idea
that the war power is vested in the executive
He modified the amendment SO as to coufne
the operation of punishment to any state or
district in which the laws are opposed or the
execution thereof INSTRUCTED by insurgents or
rabaiS YnNunrfnl n he so1 hU
ordinary course OF judicial proceedings.
Agreed to--yeas 10, nays H.
Mr. BROWNING offered an amendment as a
substitute for the second section, that any per-
son who attempts within the lines OF the army
to resist or interfere with the unrestrained use
of the property described, or TO injure it, shall
be treated as spies of the enemy, and punished
with death or other punishment Disagreed
to-yeas IA, nays Il.
The bill then passed-yeas %, nays II.
HOUSE.
"Mr. WATTS" rose to a question of privi-
lege, to correct statement in a newspaper,
but the speaker ruled that the newspaper
statement is not question of privilege.
The house went into a committee of the
whole, and resumed the consideration of the
executive, judicial, and legislative approprl-
alton bill This was subsequently laid aside,
and the special order proceeded with viz:
the bill to authorize the issue Of United States
notes and for the redemption or funding there
of, and for the funding OF the floating debt of
the United States.
Mr.. MORRILL, gave notice OF his intention to
introduce Il substitute for the bill, emitting
such part as makes the notes legal tender.
MIR. SPAULDING proceeded to explain, and
argued IN favor Of the bill as one of necessity.
me public debt up to the 10th January was
s9oO' ,OOO, up to the next July it will be
So9o'OOo.0OO, and if the war continues until
July, 1903, the estimated debt will be 81, 200,
100000, including the floating debt. lie ar.
gued that under the constitution the power Of
taxation on real aud personal property is un.
limited, and that this property will form the
basis OF the notes now proposed to be issued.
He had abiding faith in the determination of
the people to support the government. An
early advance of the army was OF the utmost
Importance. 1t was needed to sustain fnan.
cial credit, and prevent foreign Intervention,