Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-18
ruary.
xxXvIIth CONGRESS First Session.

MONDAY, March II.
SENATE.
Mr.. HARRIS presented petition eff citizens
of New York, asking congress to dispense with
the agitation OF slavery, and attend 10 the res.
toration OF the Union.
Mr.. WILSON of Massachusetts presented a
petition for emancipation. lie also reported,
from the military committee, a bill for the or
ganizaton of army corps, staffs, SC.
Mr.. LANE OF Kansas offered a resolution,
that the committee on territories inquire into
the expedency of SO altering the boundaries
of Kansas as to include the Indian Territory.
Adopted
Mr.. FEssENDEN, from the committee of con-
ference, on the bill providing for the purchase
of coin, made a report, winch was agreed to.
Mr. HALE offered a resolution, that the naval
committee inquire into the eXpediency OF APP
propriating money to make experiments in
testing and proving iron cladding for vessels
of war. Adopted.
On motion of Mr.. WILSON of Massachusetts
joint resolution authorizing the president to
assign the command of troops in the field to
officers without regard TO seniority, was taken
up. After discussion, it was recommitted to
the military committee.
On motion of Mr.. FEssENDEN, the post Of
flee appropriation bill was taken up.
Mr.. LATHAM offered an amendment that the
postmaster general be authorized 10 establish
mail less than semi-monthly between San
Francisco and Crescent City. Agreed to.
Also an amendment, that American steamers
and sailing vessels, bound to any foreign port,
shall receive such mail as the department may
cause to be placed ON board, and promptly de-
liver the same, and that vessels coming from
foreign poris shall receive any mail matter
from consuls, &c.-compensation being the
usual ocean postage
Mr. SHERMAN moved to add that the gov.
eminent shall not pay more than it receives /;
agreed to. The amendment was adopted and
the bill passed.
The bill for the abolition of slavery in the
District of Columbia was taken up and ost-
poned till tomorrow.
Mr.. TRUMBULL from the committee on the
judiciary, reported back to the house the bill
to facilitate judicial proceedings for captured
property and for the better administration OF
the law of prizes. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
The house passed the senate joint resolution
that If any state. during the present rebellion
shall make any appropriation to pay the vol
uneers OF that state, the secretary of war is
authorized TO accept the same and cause it 10
be applied by the paymasler general to the
payments designated by the legislative act
making the appropriation in the fame manner
as it appropriated by act of congress; and also
to make any regulations that may be necessary
iol the disbursement and proper application OF
such funds.
The house concurred in the report of the
committee on conference on the bill regulating
suffers, who are authorized to have lien on
soldiers pay only to one-siXlh of the monthly
amount. Penalties are annexed for viola
ton of this provision
A resolution was adopted calling on the sec.
rotary of war to inform the house by whom
certain vessels were recently chartered, the
amount to be paid therefor, etc.
Mr.. LovEJoY asked leave to introduce a
resolution instrucing the committee on the
District of Columbia to inquire and report by
what authority Mrs. Brstow, of Georgetown,
seized or caused to be seized two men, and
had them sent to Baltimore and imprisoned in
Jail, and whether such arrest and imprisOn.
ment was not a violation OF the provision of
the constitution which says no person shall be
deprived oi lille or liberty without due process
of law.
Mr.. JOHNSON objected, and the resolution,
therefore, could not be- received.
On motion Of MIR. BLAKE, a resolution was
adopted, instructing the committee on militia.
ry affairs To inquire into the eXpediency Of
Immediate measures 10 secure the sick and
wounded soldiers better medical treatment.
Mr.. LovEJoY now succeeded in introducing
his resolution, as given above.
Mr.. WICKLlFFE moved that they table it..
Disagreed to, 43 against GO. The resolution
passed.
The house went into committee on the tax
bill, Mr.. CULFAX in the chair
After debate on the amendments and gener.
al provisions of the bill, &C., adjourned.