Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-12-09
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS
CONGRRssIONAL.
WAsHINGroN, Dec. 8.


cancy in the Committee on Military At
fairs, in place Of MIR. Blair, of Missouri,
and Mr.. Teaman, on same Committee, in
place Of Mr.. Jackson, deceased. Mr.. Fes-
senden and Mr.. Walker were appointed to
fill vacancies in the Committee on Private
Land Claims. Other standing Committees
remain as heretofore.
The Speaker appointed the following
gentlemen as Special Committee to in
vestigate the charge derogatOry to the
standing of Representative Ashley, as
published in the Toledo Blade, and other
papers named :-Messrs. Blake, of Ind,
Noel, Of Mo-, Casey, Of KY, and Haight,
Of NJ a. a d = 2
Mr.. Wyckliffe introduced bill for the
protection and relief of loyal citizens
whose property and slaves have been taken,
seized and abstraeted by officers Of the
army Of the United States. Referred to
Judieiary Committee.
Other business of minor Importance was
transacted, when Mr.. Stevens offered
series Of resolutions referring the various
parts Of the Presidents message to appro-
pirate committees.
By q motion of Mr.. Edwards, it was
resolved that the Committee on Indian
Affairs be instructed to enquire whether
any further legislation is necessary in re-
lation to Indian funds held by the Gov
ernment, and report by bill or otherwise.
On motion of Roscoe Conkling, the
President was requested, if in his opinion
it was not incompatible with public inter
est to transmit to the House the last Of
fetal report of General Buell..
Mr.. Van Wyck introduced bill to pro-
vide for the immediate payment Of cloth
ing lost in service by soldiers of the uni
ted States army, also bill increasing the
pay of privates, non-commissioned officers
and musicians.
Both bills were referred to the Commit
tee on Military Affairs.
Mr.. Stevens introduced bill to indem-
Nifty President Lincoln and other persons
for suspending privilege Of the writ Of
hsbeas corpus, and for all acts done in pur-
suance thereof. The bill isrthe same as
that offered last week.
Mr.. Vallindigham objected to reading
the bill a second time, therefore, under the
rule, the question occurred, Shall the
bill be rejected ~ The House refused TO
reject, 81 against 90. The bill was then
read second time. Mr.. Stevens moved
to POSTPONE further consideration until
next Thursday and make it the special
order for that day. Mr.. Vallandigham
objected.
Mr.. Cox desired to refer it to the Judici-
ary Committee.
Mr.. Stevens then asked that the bill
should be put upon its passage.
The main question was ordered, 81
against AZ.
Mr.. 0lin expressed surprise that any
objection should be made e the postpone
ment, when an opportunity for its discus
sion could be afforded. If postponed until
Thursday, it could be examined with that
care and wisdom which the House should
Iring to bear upon the subject. What ht
jected to specially was that measure
such great Importance, and upon which
there was such diversity of opinion
should be hUrriedly thrust through thu
| House. -aA
The President had authority by law Z
exercise all the powers he had exercised
with regard to the writ Of hsbeas corpus
Ho concurred with the gentleman from
Pennsylvania, Mr.. Stevens, that bill o
such character was proper; but while b
thus eoncurred he should regret to see tn
bill hurried through the House without tel
members knowing its legal provisions.
was discreditable to the House and eoun
try, and he should feel ashamed to retur
to his constituents and say that Congress
had passed an act without permitting
word, yea or nay, to be said on the sub
ject. He hoped, for the credit of the Hous
! and country, the matter would be post
poned.
/ Mr.. Vallandigham said he had Objects
only to the b1l being made the special OF
der.
Mr.. Cslfax differed from him. he di
not think the immediate passage Of tn
bill would be discreditable to the Hous
Instead Of this it would be ereditable.-
This question has been discussed su owe
the land, as to whether the President ha
power to suspend the writ Of habeas col
pus during the rebellion. he stood read
to vote for the bill to indemnify him. b
hoped that it would pass at once.
| Mr.. Stevens was about addressing II
House on the subject, when Vallandighsl
raised a question that Stevens had no rigl
under the rules TO do 50.
Mr.. Stevens asked for three minutes
explain.
Mr.. Vallsndigham objected, unless oil
ers have similar privilege.
Mr.. Holman moved to lay the bill 0
the table. Not carried, As to 49,
Mr.. Stevens explained that IL was nC
his intention to put the bill on Its paSsag
but postponement was prevented then {
members desired an amendment in orde
that those who had been illegally impri
oued might have their remedy. Nj
Stevens, in further explanation, said b
doubted the authority Of the President
suspend the writ Of habehs corpus, excel
from absolute necessity, during the recess
He held that Congress was the soverig
power, not the President He had car
fully copied the bill from preeedents Of II
English Parliament for the last two cent?
ries, not adding q word except what Wl
necessary under the preiIent circumstance
of the country. The President was justife
in exercising the powe.r at the time Of OF
EXTREMIST peril, when traitors wei
found in every household and township
North and South. Bill passed, 90 sgain
As. 7.rw 81
Mr.. Richardson severely criticised Il
message, saying that the most Of it vi
about the negro and nothing about Il
bravery of our soldiers. Adjourned
SENGrE-Foster, Sumner, Dixon, L
than, Eessenden, Grimes and King, seve
ally presented petitions in favor Of ge
. eral bankrupt act. a. $3.50.
I Mr.. Wright presented memorial fro
: Governor Morton, of Indiana, praying +
I an increased pay of common soldiers.
Referred to the Committee on Militia
: Affairs. AHlE .
Mr.. Nesmith offered q resolution i
/; structing the Secretary Of War to repo
. to the Senate the number and ranks
( aid-de-camps appointed under the act
3 August, 1851, and also the number al
. rank Of those appointed drawing pay Al
not in active service. Adopted.