Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-01-22
LATEST NEWS.
BY TELEGRARH
TO THE WORCESTER DAILY SPY
xxxvIIlh CONGREss-FIrst se..I on.
W ASHING IUN, jan. It,
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. q.
SENATE.
The bill authorizing the secretary of war to
increase his force was taken up and amended
so that the president with the consent of the
senate, may appoint two additional assistant
secretaries of war, at salaries OF $4,000 each for
one year, and that passed.
A resolution was offered regulating the COM
pensation of collectors of customs and naval
officers. Referred
The resolution on expeIling Bright, was TAX
en- up, and Mr.. SUMNER argued in favor OF eX-
pusion, comparing Mr.. Bright TO Catilne and
Arnold.
Mr.. LANE of Indiana, followed, closing his
remarks with declaration OF patriotism, ec-
iting the applause Of the galleries, which the
vice president had cleared.
Mr.. BRIGHT defended himself from what he
called the "calumnious charges against him.
If he was guilty of treason, it was tor writing
a letter to JEFF Davis, introducing Thomas b.
Lincoln. Mr.. Lincoln was born in Phiadel-
phia, and reared there, and came west to live.
He did the largest business of any maj in In
diana, as wholesale merchant, and had es-
tab ished n character for truth and prObty.
He then went to Texas and engaged in rails.
ing cattle lie came here afterwards to forward
the project Of the Pacific railroad. He (Brigh)
had no recollection Of this letter, but he must
nave WTltleu IL. Ii any OuG Ildu dSkeu lllll
for such letter alter the proclamation of the
president, he would have answered "No." He
did not believe there would be war. He did
not believe that mad fanatics, under the lead
OF the senator from Massal husetts, would bring
about such a state OF things as now exists He
did not think the south guilty OF such mad
folly. After he wrote the letter employees of
the government sent documents to Davis and
Benjamin, &c. He went himself that summer
forty miles into Virginia, not dreaming there
would be a gun fired, and he believed it only
when the sad reality came. He had lis own
political opinions, after twenty seven years of
political service and would not give them up
for threats of expulsion, Fort Warren, or the
halter No man should charge him with want
of fealty to the flag of his country. He did
not anticipate war, because he believed in
president whom he was sorry he helped to
elevate to his position, and who was false to
his trust.
Mr. FEssENDEN asked, if the senator did
not suppose there would be any war, what
occasion was there TO suppose Davis wanted
an Improvement in fire arms
Mr.. BRIGuT said he had said repeatedly that
he had no recollection of giving letter TO Mr.
Il. B. Lincoln. He had before given Mr.
Lincoln letter to Mr.. Floyd, and if he had
been in collision with the South he would not
have sent the improvement in arms to this
government; but he had no doubt that Floyd
threw the matter overheard and Lincoln bored
him for another letter and he gave it.
Mr.. SUMNER said, the gentleman from H.
diana intimated that there was some personal
feeling against him.
Mr.. BRIGHT said he said no such thing
Mr.. SUMNER said he had no personal feel
ing against the senator. Adjourned
HOUSE.
Mr.. BLAIR of Missouri moved to commit
the bill to the committee on ways and means,
with instructions to report a bill for stamp
tax instead of postage on newspapers Mr..
RIDDLE moved to table it. Not carried-61
against sc. The original bill then came up
and was tabled--75 against co.
The senate bill authorizing the president to
appoint two additional assistant secretaries of
war was taken up and passed. Adjourned.