Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-01-20
Gtlterapbit sltns.
CONVERSATIONAL.


the Secretary of War for an answer 90 the reso-
luton in regard to contracts, &c.
Mr. Powell urged the adoption Of the resolution
at some length.
Mr.. Cowan hoped the resolution would not
pass. which he thought was as vicious as the
whole He Was opposed 10 calling for the gene
raj reports from the Departments though he
was willing 10 have any details called for il any
thing was suspicious.
Mr.. Powell commended that il was specific.
He wanted the people to know about these con-
tracts.
Mr.. Trumbull thought the resolution should be
answered.
1t now appears that two and half million dol
lars had been given to Mr.. Cummings, a civilian,
to make purchases
Mr.. Trumbull read at some length from the
report of the House Investigating Committee the
evidence Of Mr. Cummings in regard TO the pur-
chase of straw hats, pantaloons, &c, and Halls
carbines for fifteen dollars apiece. which the Gov
eminent had sold before for two dollars each.
Afterwards they were re sold for 50 so apiece.
Afterwards, in August they were repurchased for
the Government by the agent for SO so apiece,
and turned over finally to the Government at so
apiece.
The committee of the House are trying to pre-
vent this last payment.
The resolution was adopted-yeas "a nays 3.
Nays-Messrs. Brown, Cowan an dHanis.
A communication wes received from Marshal
Lamon, stating that he had made certain reguIa-
tons with regard TO admission into the Jail of the
District Of Columbia. as follows:
First-Admitting the President and his Cabi
net.
Second-Admitting the Judges of the Supreme
Court and President of the Senate and Speaker
of the House.
Third-Admitting members of the Senate on a
pass from the President of the Seuate.
l. - r. a.
pass from the Speaker of the House.
Fifth-All other persons excluded without
a pass from Marshal Lamon.
Mr. Grimes said Marshal Lannon's statement
was not a true enc. He (Grimes) refused
admittance to the jail Yesterday because he bad
no pass from the foreign satrap who was brought
here from Illinois and imposed upon the inhabi
tants Of the District.
On motion of Mr. Grimes this bill was taken
up
Mr.. Grimes explained at length and spoke of
the disgraceful character of the jail where all
classes Of persons were huddled together
Mr.. Grimes here read from the report Of the
House committee in regard TO Mr.. Lannon's un
warranted intrusions.
he (Lamon) in ST. Louis had appeared as a
Brigadier General, and had sent a regiment of
troops to Maryland. when it tnrned cut that he
was neither a Brigadier General nor had he any
authority to remove the regiment: the expenses
of which was $50, 900.
This Marshal, instead of attending to his duty
in the District, was engaged in business at st.
Lons, without the authoxjty of law.
After he (Grimes) had made some remarks on
this bin last Friday, and on the following day
this foreign satrap, Lamon, issued order that
person should be admitted to the District jail un-
less they first applied for admission to him..
On hearing of this order, a number of Sena-
tors offered to 60 to the President and demand
the removal of this Marshal, but he (Grimes)
went to the Jail yesterday, and was refused ad
mittance He went then to the President. but
the President was engaged, so he (Grimes) sta
ted these facts to the Senate which he should
have stated to the President.
Mr.. Pearce said that the laws in regard to the
Jail were the laws which in force at the time
of the cession of the District. The bill proposes
delibery from the Jail of all persons if not in
dicted for that already in the old law OF Mary
land He thought that the bill was especially
designed for other persons. There power
here higher than the law which released other
persons. He (Pearce) had a list of seventeen
persons released by the Provost Marshal, which
being the case, he did not know how soon Con-
gress would be told as Cromwell told the British
Parliament, The Lord has no need of you"
| This bill gives certain persons their liberty. IL
is a sort OF emancipation bill. He thought it
should be modified so rs to release such persons
from confinement. The Union could not be re-
stored if the policy Of the Government was known
to be emancipation. Ifsuch was known to be the
policy there would not be a Union man at the
Sorth left.
/ Mr. Powell contended that the common law
was the remedy for all the abuse which this bill
proposed to abolish. There was no necessity for
this law at all, unless it intended for all the
slaves.
/ Mr.. Pomeroy agreed with the Senator from
Kentucky that the fault was not so much in the
law as it was the want of its proper execution.
! Mr.. Carlisle hoped they would come to a vote
so that slavery in the District may be practically
abolished. Time enough had been spent on the
bill, and we wanted it passed so as to remove one
peg which to hang sympathetic treatise to
the negro race.
Mr. Morrill, said he could not let the correction
of abuse 60 with fling at this side of the
! Chamber This was simply bill to correct an
abuse against the liberty of every man, and he
! (MorrilD could not rest under the imputation of
disturbing the delicate relation of the negro ques-
! ton.
Mr.. Wilson thought Mr.. Morrill, had well taken
notice of the remarks of the Senator from Vir-
gnia Mr.. Carlsle.) Senators had been talked
to by her Mason. and he feared the Senator from
Virginia Mr.. Carlisle) treading in the foot
steps of his predecessor; but he (Wilson) feared
the rebukes of neither. He also wanted to add
|
duct of Marshal Lamon, The colored people in
/ the District had never been so oppressed for ten
years as they are now. A Colonel came to him
to-day with an order from Brigadier General to
send back a fugitive slave. Thank God, that
name has not been passed upon by the Senate
yet He thought it time we acted up to our
principles and rebuke those men who disgrace
! humanity
In regard to Marshal Lamou we ought to say
To- he hat a had ulfadf
and must be removed.
Mr.. Carlisle said the Senator could not have
heard what was said. he merely gave express
sion to his own opinions that the time should be
devoted to measures connected with the preser-
walton of the Union.
Mr.. Sherman said he thought the time had
arrived for important action on financial meas
ures.
Mr. Fcssenden said there was an erroneous i'm
preston in the country that the Senate should act
on these financial measures Immediately and pass
a tax bill. These bills all take time and dellbe-
ration and the Senators could not act till the
bills came from the House. He thought that
the gentlemen not to be blamed because
in the intermediate time they attended to other
matters.
Mr. Sherman said there was an extended fnan-
cial business, much broader than tax bills. -
4 After further discussion vote was taken on
| Mr.. Powells amendment 10 except fugitive
slaves Which was lost-yeas 5, nays 80.
Yeas-Messrs. Bayard, Kennedy. Pearce, Pow
! ell and Salisbury.
] Mr.. Clark offered an amendment that no per-
son be hereafter confined in Jail without war
rant from the magistrate or court, or order from
one House of Congress. Agreed to.
The bill was passed--yeas 81, nays4
Messrs Carlisle, Kennedy, Powell and Sauls
bury voting nay
On motion of Mr.. Sumrsr, the bill for the re