, 1862-05-17
CONGRESS TODAY.
FAsHNGT0a, May 16, 1862.
[ENATE

GENaIEi.
Mr.: SHERMAN Of Ohio made statement
in reference to remark made by Mr.. Holman
of Ind, in the House, who, said, speaking OF
the Investigating Committee, that he (Saer-
man) vas On the Committee and received
eight dollars day. MI. Sherman said that
lie had been on two Committees on the Kan
sas Committee, and the other the Naval Iures-
tjgating Committeeman neither Committee
ever charged or received cent Of mileage.
Mr. KING OF n T. presented 8 memorial
from merchants and Others Of New York, ask
ing for the speedy passage Of the Pacific Bail
road BILL
a resolution was adopted that the Indian
appropriation bill be taken up
Nr. DOOLTTLE Of Wisconsin offered an
amendment authorizing the President to ap-
ply the appropriations to certain tribes; also,
authorizing the President, where tribal organ
izatons have taken up arms a1ainst the Gov
ernment, to abrogate all treaties with them.
The amendment was adopted.
Mr.. CLARK of New Hampshire moved to
take up the contscation bill reported from
tie Special Committee.
Mr.. FESSENDEN Of Me- said he vas going
to ask the Senate to take up the bill. He was
il favor Of both bills, but his positign on the
Committee made it his duty to urge the pass
age Of The tax bill.
Mr. WADE Of Ohio was in Eavor Of trying
the war, before proceeding to tar loyal men
Mr.. HENDERSON Of Mo. thought there
would be no very great revenue derived from
the bill as reported. He supposed the burden
Of the Tax bill would be imposed on some OF
The rebel States as we'll as on the loyal States.
bill.
The Conf1scation bill VS. taken up-yeas oS,
nays 49,
Mr.. CLARK said the bill had been carefully
Prepared by the Committee, who had tried to
harmonize the different opinions, and hoped
fhfa hill tcnf131 1rtfh
Mf. TRUMBULL Of III. moved to strike
out the first section, which he said was merely
to Tighten the punishment Of treason and was
unconditional. He contended that this was not
confscatiou bill at all He c1;limed that Con.
grcss bad power to take the property Of reb=1
and his life, il var, but cannot briu. him into
court and take his property longer than life
under the Constitution, which provides
against attalnder and The taking o1 the proper
y If q traitor from his heirs. fe. the first
section proposes, as punishment for treason,
to take the property Of rebels forever.
Aiitr further discussion Mr.. DAVIS Of Ky-
moved to amend tile first section by striking
out all the clauses freeing the slaves, and to
add provision for Imprisonment at hard IL
boF, Nc: lSss than five nor more than twenty
JeaIa. BIZ. Davis said he bad no objection to
the contscation Of slaves if rlley were treated
Ike other property aud the proceeds put into
the Treasury.
A1r. CLARK asked if Congress could allow
house to go free ii it were senhscated.
Mr.. DAVIS thought not. lie thought it the
dutT OF congress to appropriate property or
useit. Mr: Davis said the legal definition Of
forfeiture implied that you must take the
property and use it.
After further discussion, S1r. Davis amend
ment was rejected Ayes, mays. 81.
TIE question then recurred on Mr. Trum-
bulls motion to strike on the fir:t section.
hi. LOWE OF Kansas thought it would be
better to offer the original as substitute, and
not try and mutilate the bills. He vas in favor
ofthe original bill; but if the Senate was deter
mined to have this bilI he wanted to take it
as it was.
Nh. Trumbull's amendment Eas rejected.
Ayes, 10-nays. 20.
Mr. HOWARD of Mich. moeed to strike
out the second section, which provides for the
forfeiture Of property and freedom Of the
tlaves Of those who incite, engage in or aid
the Instruction against the United States. He
spoke at some length against this section Of
the bill, as simply mitigating the punishment
of treason.
The second section was amended by inse1:-
ing ''by imprisonment not exceeding ten
years." Also, as to make il foEfeitur. and ina-
PIisonment both, at the discretion OF the
Court
Stewards amendment was rejet, ,ed-ss
against 5.
Mr. SUMNER of Mass. offered q substitute
for the bill, which was ordered printed
After an executive sc ssion the Senate ad-
journed till Monday.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
BEN. WOOD Of n 7. hid leave gruntcd to
print speech in which anatheplatized the
ebolitienlsts, saying their chief desire is to
continue the war to emancipation wi,.lc al
honorable peace was within their g1-sp.
Private bills were then considered.
Adjourned till Monday.