The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-04-17
xxxvII Con gress--First Session.

1
HousE.-The following is the Select Com
mittec appointed by the Speaker on gradual
Emancipation in the slave holding States, by
the people or local authorities, authorized
| by the resolution, which was adopted last
Monday
Albert s. White, of Indiana F. P. Blair,
Of Missouri George r Fisher, of Delaware !;
VIM E. Lehman, OF Pennsylvania G. l..
Leary, of Maryland j. l.. Anes and Wha-
| ley, Of Virginia j. F. Wilson, of Iowa !;
Samuel Laery, of Kentucky, and j. Glenn
ments, Of Tennessee
Mr.. Diven, from the Committee on Elec.
! tons, reported resolution that F. F. Lowry,
was not entitled to seat as representative
| from the State of California. This resolution
is predicated on a paper claiming that Cali
fornia is entitled to three representatives
| instead Of two.
Mr.. Diven, also reported that SamI. G..
Daily, of Nebraska, the present sitting Del
egate IS, and that j. Sterling Morton Is
| not entitled to represent that Territory.
| He also presented resolution asking that
| the committee on Elections be discharged
| from the further consideration Of the ere
dentials of Joseph Segur, requesting to be
| admitted to seat as representative from the
! lst Congressional District of Virginia
| Mr.. Kelley asked leave to present petit
ton seven hundred feet long signed he said
by fifteen thousand ladies Of one slave and
eleven free States, asking for the extinction
Of slavery. Objection was made to its open
presentation, and it was referred under the
rules.
| Mr. Cox Of Ohio presented the resolution
Of the legislature Of Ohio in favor Of such an
amendment 20 the tax bill as may permit
the States 10 collect the same within their
respective limits, and determine the duties
of the officers employed Mr. Cox said the
resolutions came too late. perhaps for their
proper influence, while the House bill is
before the Senate; tits hoped that body will
s, modify it as to make it more just ard
equal with difeieat localiiie, and int.ra It's
anl SO changed the machinery of its collec-
ton that it may, ifp,ssble, e submitted to
the States who shall have the privilege of
collecting il and of dcirning the officers and
their compensation. Such is the unanimous
wish of the Legislature and people
Of Ohio The Legislature in passing these
resolutions was actuated by the purest
patriotism and with no other desire than to
have this war tag levied and collected fairly,
and if the bill is thus modified the vote Of
OHIO here for it viii be much nearer q unit.
SESATE-Mr. Carlisle presented a petition
in favor of allowing Democratic papers the
same privileges in the mails as Republican
papers.
Mr.. Sumner presea ell petition 700 feet
long, signed by $4,000 women, praying for
the adjustment Of slavery.
Mr.. Wilson called up the resolution en-
quiring If further legislation is necessary to
enforce the articles of war for preventing the
4 reclamation Of slaves from within the lines
] Of the army.
n Mr.. Grimes, at some length reviewed the
Instances lately occurring in Gen. Hooker
tllvisioa, showing that efforts had been made
bt slave owners to reclaim their slaves with
/ il the lines, with the knowledge Of the Com.
lknanding officer, that slaves were taken at
FIT. Donelson, and carried to Columbus, Ohio
and were forced to render mental service,
under military law, to rebel mastcrs-thus
| establishing a system of slavery in a free
State. lie cited similar instances ir Iowa
and Illinois, and he thought it high time
/ that Congress should adopt some legislation
| in regard to I. is matter. There was as
many different systems as there were militia
~ departments.
Some slaves were fogged and returned,
others shot, others called contrabands and
admitted within the lines, and other prohib-
1 tied from entering the lines. as the ceebra-
i ted order No. 5 Of Gen. Halleck, which
ought to be Mt once countermanded and for
eyer erased in compliance with the popular
feeling. He thought that great amount OF
| information could be obtained from these
people, coming as they do from the enemy's
lines. Ifthey were properly ayailed of the
northwest would not submit to any tempo,
rary or compromising policy, now they de
manded that the rebellion should be put
down. The forts the south were Jet to be
captured and must be held for years to come
and how should they be garrisoned when re-.
captured.
He would answer that he was in favor Of
garrisonins them wholly or in part by SOL
diers of African descent, to be commanded
i by white officers. Our troops would withcr
in the suffocating climate Of the GulfStates,
therefore, this measure was one of humanity
saving many valuable lives. lie had nc
doubt or its efficiency. Five contrabands had
worked the guns OH the Minnesota ut Halter
/ as. He was thankful tina. none in the navy
| had followed the disgraceful example OF the
officers Of the army. ofissuing proclamations
in regard to slavery. and had returned nj
slaves. lie argued that the rebels were using
nv thousands the slaves at Yorktown II
throwing mp Notifications, while We wonlt
not use them in putting down this rebellion
The confscatipn bill was then taken vi
prior Is its consideration.
Mr.. Hale resigned as Chairman Of the Ma
val Committee, and in order that no misaT