The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-05-01

WAsHrNGrox, April %.
HovsE. The Speaker announced the fol.
nwing Special Committee on the Confiscation
of Rebel property:
Mcssrs. Olin. Of New York, Elliott, Of
Massachusetts, Noel. Of Missouri, Hutchins,
of Ohio, Mallory, Of kentucky. Beaman, Of
Michigan and Cobb, Of New Jersey.
Mr.. DIN remarked that he had heretofore
asked to be excused from serving on this
Committee, and he repeated the reasons
for the request, which Was now complied
with.
Or Motion If Mr.. McPhe, son, II was
Resolved. That the Secretary Of War
transmit to the House copies Of the reports
Of Commanders ofRegimenss, Brigades and
Divisions engaged in the battle Of Shiloh,
Tenn.
On Motion Of Mr.. Gooch the Senate bill
Tor the recognition Of Hayti and Liberia, was
referred to the Committee on Foreign AT.
fairs.
On motion of Mr. Colfax It was
Resolved. That the Judiciary committee
be instructed to enquire into the expcdiency
Of reporting bin for publishing al con
tractors guilty Of deftnuding the Govern.
ment, with penalties similar to those for
grand larceny.
Mr. Spaulding introduced joaaA resolu-
ton, which was referred to the Committee
on Commences, authorizing the appointment
Of Commissioners to negotiate concerning the
reciprocity treaty, and authorizing the Presi.
dent to give the necessary Instructions for
terminating ne present unfair treaty.
Mr.. Ashley reported back from the Com
mittee on treasury the mill to prevent and
to punish the practice Of polygamy, and to
arrest certain acts Of the territory establish.
ing the same.
Mr.. Merrill Of Vermont said this bill was
the same As that introduced By him two
years ago, with the exception Of the omission
Of its applicability to tho District of Column
bia. The bill was passed.
The House resumed the consideration Of
the report on Government Contracts. The
first resolution reported by them was post
poned for the two weeks. The next reso!u.
ton on the Secretary was then taken up,
and is as follows:
That the Secretary ofthe Tres sury he re.
quested to adjust the terms Of the Govern
ment for the FIVE thousand Hall carbines,
purchased thro Simon Stevens by Gen. Jno.
G. Fremont, on the 9Th day of August, 1891
and afterwards rejected at the U. S. Arsenal
at st. Louis, on tho basis of sale Of snch
arms to the Government for $19 so each,
rejecting all other demands against the Gov.
eminent, on account of the pu. chase Of said
arms.
Mr.. Stevens moved the following o. . sub
stitute for the above:
That nothing has occurred to lessen our
confidence in the honesty. integrity and pa
triotism. Of Maj. Gen. Fremont
Mr.. Washburne raised the point Of order
that the substitute was genuine.
Mr.. Stevens maintains the original resokl.
ton imposing censure on Gen. Fremont.
The Speaker maintains Mr.. Washbuane's
point forder
SENArE,-The President pro TEN. presen-
ted communication concerning the rapnber
Of slaves IN the District of Columbia. The
Secretary said the statistics were compiled
some years ago and were. perhaps not avail.
able now. The communication was rcftp-
red to the Committee on the District Of Go,
lumbis.
Messrs. King and Sumner presented petit.
tons in favor of the emancipation Of the
slaves.
Mr.. Davis presented petitions from To-
bacco Manufacturers, asking for reduction
Of the proposed tai on Tobacco.
Mr.. Wilson of Massachusetts, from the
military committee reported back the bill for
the organization of the Signal Department,
snd moved its'fndefinite postpenement, and
h was accordingly postponed.
Mr.. Wilson. Of Massachusetts,, offered .
resolution that the Secretary Of War be re-
quested to inquire into the condition Of the
Rarper's Ferry Armory, what damage has
been done to it. what Is the value Of the
property oftho United States there now, and
what amount is necessary, and whether 1t Is
expedient to restore the Armory, and re-oc.
cupy the works. Adopted.
Mr.. Pomeroy introduced bill to prevent
the importation of adulterated liquors, BY
providing punishment therefore
On motion Of Mr.. Wilson, of Massachu.
sets, the resolutions Of the Ohio Legislature
in regard to the rebels keeping their slaves
at Camp Chase, was taken up.
Mr.. Sherman had read . letter from
member of the Legislature concerning the
rebel prisoners who were permitted to 70
about the city Of Columbus, lounge at the
hotels and abuse the Government with per-
feet liberty; also an srticle IN the Cincinnati
Commercial to the same effect; also an,
other article In the CINCINNATI Gssette,
showing that Government was taking meas
ures to have the negroes at Camp Chase lib.
Grated and the rebel prisoners removed to
proper quarters.
The resolutions were referred 10 the Mill.
tary Committee.
On motion Of Mr.. Trumbull the bill for tho
rnnre cno sDSent enfnrc>n,>nt o( xho l. -. e..