Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-02-18
LATEST NEWS.
THIRrY-sEvI1NTn CONGRESS-.
BY TELL GRAPH
TO THE WORCESTER DAILY SPY.
THE LAW FOR DRAFTING.


forces, and the pending amendment of Mr.
CoLLAMER was adopted.
Mr.. CLARK moved an amendment, which
was adopted, allowing the person drafted to
be exempted by procuring a substitute or pay
ing sum OF money not exceeding three hum
dred dollars, to be fixed by the secretary OF
war; but failing to appear or to procure a sub
stitute, or pay the required sum, to be arrest
ed and tried by court martial.
Mr. NEsMTH (opp.) OF Oregon moved to
strike out the third section, which provides
Tor two classes Of national forces-one from
eighteen to thirty years of age, and one from
thirty to forty-tiye the first class to be called
into service first. The motion was rejected.
Mr.. WILSON Of Massachusetts moved an
amendment which was adopted, to make the
first class include those between the ages of
twenty and thirty-fve, instead of eighteen and
thirty-tive.
Mr.. HARRIS, (rep.) of New York, offered
an amendment to exempt persons who, from
scrupeS of conscience, are averSe to bearing
arms, and are by the constitution and law Of
any state excused theretrom.
Mr.. MCDoUGALL, (rep.) of California,
thought ali persons ought to be obliged to
serve if drafted, procure substitute, or pay
the amount specified.
Mr.. SUMNER thought that clergymen ought
to be excused, and he moved an amendment
to that effect.
Mr., McDoUGALL hoped the senator would
not include the methodist clergy, as they were
fighting clergy.
Mr.. Davis, opp of Kentucky, thought
that exemptions were getting too numerous
He would say to all persons fight, pay or en-
igrate.
Mr.. HENDERSON, (Union) of Missouri,
asked if minister ought to be excused on
the doctrine thatunder the teachings of Christ
they were opposed TO fighting, then why not
excuse all christians who follow them? lie
would excuse no one. He feared that under
lhis amendment the states by law might ex-
cuse all their citizens.
Mr.. HARRIS in view of the difficulties that
might arise, Withdrew the amendment
Mr.. SUMNER moved to amend so as to ex-
empt all ministers of the gospel
Mr. HENDERSON SAID he should vote against
the amendment. He would have such law
that, in case of another such war as this, min
listers would have no inducement to advocate
war. In Missouri, ministers, in many cases,
had preached treason, and he believed that a
senator from his own state, if he would look
back, would find that treason had been
preached, and they had to great degree been
instrumental in bringing about this war.
If he had his way he would put them all in
the field and make them fight the battles they
had done so much in inaugurating. applause
in the galleries.
Mr.. MORRILL,, (rep.) of Maine, said this
charge against the clergy was unjust and could
not be sustained The clergy Of his state were
loyal. He thought if anybody was to be ex-
empt the clergy ought to be.
Mr.. FEssENDEN said he should vote against
ftt,a IL, =
putatiOn against the clergymen Of his state
that they would resent.
The amendment was rejected, and the bill
was reported to the senate.
The question was received on agreeing to
the amendment excepting the governor and
judiciary of states.
MIR. TRUMBULL (rep) of Illinois favored the
amendment. He did not want to break up all
the state governments. The people were too
Intelligent to be deceived by any such idea of
inclu ding everybody in the draft.
Mr.. Dixon thought it highly important
that all should be included as it would tend
to allay any dissatisfaction that might arise.
Mr.. RICE (opp.) of Min. said if the bill did
not exempt those exempted by the state con-
| stitutiOn, then there would be revolution.
Several voices-Oh, no, no!
| Mr.. Rce-Well, try it and see.
Mr.. MCDoUGALL said if there was to be a
revolution in the north, let it come now. He
had heard a great deal Of talk about revolution
in the north. If it was coming, let it come
But he disagreed entirely with the senator
from Minnesota. He didnot believe there would
be any such revolution.
Mr.. RICE warned the senators not to touch
the constitution of any state; for, as God lived
there was not a man in his state so craven as
to submit to it.
Mr.. WILKINSON said he believed that the
people of Minnesota, by large majority, be-
leyed the constitution of the United States to
be supreme law.
The amendment was not concurred in
yeas II; nays 10. Mr.. WILKINSON renewed
the amendment to exempt members of con-
gresS. Rejected-yeas l6; nays 20.
Mr.. MCDoUGAL offered an amendment
which was adopted, including citizens of for
eign birth, who may have declared their in
tentions to become citizens, in the provisions
of the bill
Mr. KING, (rep.) of New York, renewed the
amendment to exempt the governors Of the
states, which was adopted. At twelve o'clock
the bill passed and tie senate adjourned.
WAsHINGToN, Feb. 16.
Mr. CoLLAMER, from the post office com.
mittee, reported joint resolution authorizing
the collection of foreign postage in coin.
Mr.. WILSON of Massachusetts, reported
back the bill recognizing the engineer corps;
also from the same committee, reported adj
versely on the bill to authorize contracts to be
made with states who have advanced pay to
soldiers.
Tn. senate passed the bill to prevent agents
of the government. members OF congress, and
officers of the government from taking any
consideration for procuring places, offices or
contracts.
Mr.. GRIMES called up the bill authorizing
letters of marque and reprisal.
Mr.. FEssENDEN, from the committee on
finance, reported back the fertilization bill
and Mr.. WILSON of Massachusetts, introduced
a bill to incorporate an institution for the ed
ucaton of colored youth in the District Of
Columbia.
Mr.. GRIMES briefly urged the passage Of the
bltOrietters of marQue. Mr.. SUMNER opposed
the bill, and could see III it nothing but dam
ger of complication with the great foreign
powers, who have solemnly declared against
this system of privateering. He would not
say the government should never resort to
this policy but this was no time to adopt 1t.
Mr.. MCDOUGALL argued in favor OF the bill.
He believed that before congress met again
we should be at war with foreign power,
and should need all our force on sea and land.
Mr.. COLLAMER favored the bill. MIR. DIX
ON thought the measure unnecessary, tor we
have no war with foreign country, and the
rebels have no commerce.
After further discussion the substitute Of
fered by Mr.. GRIMES, authorizing the Presi-
dent in all foreign and domestic wars, to issue