Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-04-25

XXXVIIlh Congress .-- LIST Session.
WASHINGTON, April %.
SENATE.-Mr. Trumbull presented q peti-
ton from w. G. Jewett, for defensive stand
still policy at Yorktown, to secure . reserve
force Of 100000 men.
Mr.. Trumbull, from the Judiciary commit
tee, reported = resolution in relation to the
pay of the first Senators and Representatives
from tho State Of Minnesota; which was
passed.
Mr.. Hale offered resolution that the Mill
tary committee inquire if any officer in the
army before Yorktown had exhibited evidence
of being drunk in the face of the enemy, and
If any measure had been taken for the trial
and punishment of such officers.
Mr.. Sumner suggested that the subject DO
referred to the committee on the Conduct of
the War.
Mr.. Hale referred to the statement of Mr..
Morrill,, in the House yesterday, and stated
that he had thought it high time some notice
should be taken of thes, things If officers
leave brave men to be slaughtered like beasts,
no punishment is too great for them.
Mr.. Foster said the Senate had not taken
high ground enough. The Senate should
never have confirmed men known to be in
temperate. 1t becomes US to weed out our
own garden and correct our own laxity, and
be was panied to say criminality in this re.
spect.
Mr.. Foote said that the General referred to
had not been confirmed.
Mr.. Hale said the Senate had not taken
high ground enough, but if officers were so
drunk they could not sit on their horses he
thought some notice ought to be taken of it.
The resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Davis introduced bill prescribing an
additional oath for grand and petit jurors in
the U. s. courts.
The bill recognizing the independence of
Hayti and Liberia, and the appointment Of
diplomatic representative, was taken up.
Mr.. Sumner said that thus far our Govern
ment, usually friendly to new Governments,
had turned aside from these nations. He
thought it was time to put an end to this
| anamoly in history.
Mr.. Sumner continued his speech in favor
of the recognition of Hayti and Liberia, and
concluded by saying: By recognizing these
| two nations we only tardily follow the exam
pie of the principal nations of the world.
| The bill was then postponed until to-mor-
row, and the Con6scation bill was then taken
up.
Mr.. Davis resumed in opposition to the bill.
He said he had already detained the Senate
at some length on this question, but he con-
sidered that in the importance of its effects
the bill had no parallel. He contended that
Congress had no right to pass such bill un-
der the war power.
HoUsE.-The House resumed the consider.
alton of the Confscation bill, which was pen.
ding when the adjournment took place yeste-
day, and upon which the main question had
been ordered. The bill was tabled by vote
| of "a against 48.
The next bill taken up was to facilitate the
suppression of the rebellion, and prevent its
recurrence. The bill authorizes the Presi-
dent to direct our Generals to declare the
slaves of the rebels free, and pledges the faith
of the United States to make full and fair
compensation to loyal men, who have actually
supported the Union, for any losses they
may sustain by virtue of this bill
Mr.. Olin understood that the committee on
the Judiciary had agreed substantially that
none of the confscation bills referred to them
ought to pass.
| Mr. Thomas, of Mass, remarked that the
committee recommended that none Of the
confscation bills pass
| Mr. DIN said that the disposition of the
House and the country was that there should
be some legislation on the subject. As
the Judiciary could not agree on the matter,
he proposed that select committee of seven
be appointed to take the subject into consid-
alton. Such committee being untrammel-
led, the House might anticipate a proper
measure of legislation.
Mr.. Dunn was glad to hear Mr.. Olin's sug-
gestion. The subject of con6scating rebel
property was one Of the most difficult ques-
tons before Congress, in the decision Of
which was involved the restoration of the
| Government to its former state of prosperi-
ty. He congratulated the House and the
country that this morning there had been laid
upon the table bill which if it had been
passed would have disgraced the civilization
of this age. Explanations from Democratic
side of "Good." "Good." "That's so."] The
bill which at one fell swoop would have i'm
poverished the people generally, from old age
down to innocent childhood.
MIR. Colfax advocated the appointment Of q
Select Committee.
Mr.. Dunn was opposed to sweeping con-
fiscation bill. He wanted distinction made
against leaders.
I Mr.. Bingham maintained the propriety Of
a bill to punish all wilful rebels, by depriving
them of their property.
Mr.. Sherman was opposed to confiscat;on
bills. He looked on the march of armies as
the proper mode of suppressing the rebellion
and re establishing the Constitution.
Mr.. Hickman claimed that the Constitu.
ton gave the President ample powers with
out Congressional action.
Mr.. Crittenden was against all confscating
measures, which would lead to exasperate
the war and postpone the time Of putting
down the rebellion.
After further debate, without action, the
House adjourned.