The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-02-28
XVII CoNGREss-3D SESSION

AxxvII C0NGREss- SESSION.
WAsHIsaroE, Feb. 24.-SEHArE.-Mr LANE,
Of Indiana, called up the bill authorizing the
President to confer brevet rank. Passed.
1r HOWE presentedsa nemorial from the
Legislature Of Wisconsin, asking for the reduce
ton Of the duty on paper.
Hr DAVIS introduced = bill to authorize
the Covtngton and Cincinnati Bridge Company
TO build q bridge across the Ohio river, at Z
height Of not less than 100 feet above low water
mark. Referred to Committee on Post Office
and Post Roads. C
Mr. POWELL presented the resolutions Of the
Legislature of Kentucky concerning the funds
due that State from the United States. Refer
| red to the judiciary Committee. J6
| Mr. RICHARDSON called up the bill to pro-
mote the health, comfort and efficiency Of tn.
army.
| Mr. SUMNER moved to strike out the provi
sion authorizing the Commissary Department t.
furnish tobacco to the soldiers at cost. Rejected
by IS to 49, Bill passed.
| The bill smendatory Of the Pacific Railroad
bill was taken up.
| Mr. McDOUGALL offered an amendment pro
viding that the retaining Of certain percentag,
Of bonds in the Treasury, until the road is COM
pleted, shall apply only to that portion of the
road on the eastern slope of the Rocky Noun
tains. Adopted.
Mr. SHERMAN offered an amendment, which
was adopted, that at the discretion Of the Pres
ident be may pay to any of the companies men
toned in the act, 10 lieu Of bonds of the United
States, an equal amount of lawful money of the
United States. The bill passed IT.
| A large number of amendments we're acted
upon and the bill passed. ,l s
| Mr. POMEROY represented the resolution of
the Legislature OF New Mexico asking Congress
to make some provision for the 600 Indian cap
tives now held in servitude in that Territory,
and who will be released byact of Congress
passed June 49, 1852.
Mr. RICE introduced bill to secure the right
| of trial by jury in land cases in California
| Senate then went into executive session. Ad-
journed.,
The Indian Appropriation Dill was taken up.
HoUSE-The House resumed the consideration
Of the bill for organizing the National forces, and
for other purposes.
Mr. CRlTTENDEN made no professions Of
patriotism. The measure now proposed was the
natural result of the course of the policy pursu-
ed from the beginning; eighteen months ago it
was here declared that the sole object of the
war was to restore our country, and not to sub.
vert the institution of any State, but departing
from this declaration had caused divisions, and
men had lost heart because of the violations of
the Constitution aud the issuing Of the enanci
patton Proclamation. The people would not
volunteer to fight slaves. The only remedy was
to make national not sectional war. The
negro troops we're a source of weakness rather
than power White men would not fight in
| their company.
The time for debate having expired BY irnita.
ton the house proceeded to vote on the amend
ments and adopted one, confning the term of
service to the present rebellion, not hoover to
exceed three years. An Intellectual motion was
made by Mr. Coifax to reduce the time to two
years. e5f
The House adopted the amendment proposed
by Mr. DIN, from the Military Committee. that
all persons, in time of var or rebellion, acting
| as spies about the Notifications or camps of the
| army, shall be tried BY general court martial,
| and, on conviction, suffer death
| Mr. VAuLANDIGHAMo offered an amendment
so that instead Of summary arrests by provost
marshals OF persona resisting the draft, they
shall be made on warrant issued by civil Off
GERS Oh an oath Of affirmation. setting forth the
ofenses charged. Rejected, 81 against lOl.
Mr. COX moved to confne the CONSUMPTION to
white citizens. Rejected.
| Mr. STEVENS offered an amendment exempt.
ing from draft persons conscientiousy ecruou.
lous agail ct bearing arms, and who shall declare
on oath or Affirmation, that such has been their
religious principles for 8 years. Rejected.
| Mr. WICKLIFFE offered an amendment that
the men thus called into service, shall be by the
Governors OF the States organized into compa-
MES and regiments, with officers 70 command
tod NV
| according to the provisions of the constitution
and laws thereof, and of the constitution of the
United States. Rejected lO4 to IS.
The one hour devoted to offering amendments
| having expired, many amendments still being
excluded, the House proceeded to dispose of the
pending motion of Mr. Holman to strike out the
18th section, relative to providing substitutes
neglect to do so subjeetng the delinquent to ar.
rest and trial as deserter. The motion was
disagreed to, &c to So.
Mr. HOLMAN offered a substitute for the bill
declaring all the able bodied white male citizens
between the ages of 1S and 45 years, with the
exceptions mentioned, TO constitute the militia
OF the United States, to be called out by the
President in the manner authorized BY the law:
the force to be divided into two classes, each to
serve one year, unless sooner discharged: to be
enrolled and Offered by State authorities. &c,
AuS sooStitote was IeJeCLeQ, IT 20 lUS.
The House passed the bill.
WAsHISGTos, Feb. 25-RousE Nc.
PHERoON form the Committee on Military AZ
fairs reported back the Senate bill for the an
pointment Of additional Major and Bripsdier
Generals The Committee proposed to increase
the former from 20 to 40 This was agreed to
yeas SO, nays So. They also proposed to in,
crease the Brgadier Generals from 80 to TOO
This was also adopted, yeas SO, nays Al.
Mr.. COX offered al amendment that the Pre-
sideni shall appoint no one, excepting for rsl.
liant and neritorious services in the field. This
vas adopted 81 to4l The bill then passed by
yeas lO3, nays SO.
The House then went toto Committee of the
Whole on the Internal Tax bill
Evening Session George W. Bridges was
sworn in as member from Tennessee.
The bill to amend the Internal Revenue Act
was taken up.
At 1880 no quorum being present the House
adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.-HoUss-Mr DAWES
from the Committee on Government Contracts
reported back the Senate bill with amendments
to prevent frauds.
Tbs committee rose and the House adjourned.