Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-23
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON. February l6-

WASHINGTON, February l6.
SENATE Mr.. Davis called no the bill reeulat-
/ inc the appointment of Midshpmen, the question
pending on'the adoption OF the amendment rat-
/ flying appointments made by the President and
Secretary of the Navy.
Mr. Grimes's amendment was rejected
! Mr.. Anthony moved to amend the bill so that
appointments shall be made with reference to
merits and qualifications, TO be ascertaned bv ex-
animation of candidates selected.
At the expiration of the morning hour the
Chair called up the special order. namely, the bill
enrolling and calling out the militia of the Uni
! ted States
proposed to explain the bill and the reason why
/ it was introduced. We we're now engaged in Il
gigantic struggle for The preservation of national
/ life. For twenty months had been sending
the young OF the country into the field.
/ These regiments had suffered much from battle
and disease. until now manv Of the old regiments
numbered no more than 400. We were told by
the leaders of the rebellion that they we're fight
ing for independence. and that they would make
no compromise; therefore the folly of talking of
peace and compromise was c0mprehended by all
loyal men, and all such talk was little better
than treason
This battle was to be fought out to the end,
and he wanted it so fought as to crush out the
| rebellion and restore the nation. He assumed
that it the duty of every good citizen to do
his utmost to preserve the National life. Con-
gress had the right TO raise armies. put down IN
surrection. and if necessary it had the right to
call into the service of the country every citizen
either a volunteer or by draft. 1t might never
be necessary to put the bill into execution. He
hoped it woad not; but it was the duty of Con-
gress to provide all necessary means to carry on
this contest The bill proposed to enroll the
whole people OF the country, and not merely the
militia.
Mr.. Cowan moved to insert members of Con-
gress among the persons exempted from the pro-
visions of the BILL
Mr. Wilson hoped the amendment would not
be adOpted.
Mr. Doolitte thought the amendment would
not be of much practical value, for the bill only
included persons under As, and scarcely any Sen
at0r would be included
Mr.. CDllamer offered amendment requiring
the President in the call proposed in the bill to
! take into account tie number of men each State
has furnished. and make the apportionment
among the States accordingly.
Mr.. COwan thought the amendment could not
be practically carried into effect without great
confusion
At 400 the Senate took recess until seven
o'clock.
HoUsE-The House resumed the consideration
OF the Indian appropriation bill amendment to
pay in bonds including those stolen from the In
terror Department held in trust for various tribes.
Rejected
Mr. Stevens offered resolution, which, after
amendment. adopted that after to day the
I House will take recess from half past four till
seven o'clock unless otherwise ordered by men,
bers present ut the hour of recess.
The Indian appropriation bill was reported
from the Committee of the Whole with an
amendment, and viii he voted on hereafter.
The House resumed the consideration of the
Louisiana case.
WASHINGTON. Feb l6
EVENING SESSION.
SENATE MIR Chandler called UP the bill for
the relief of the crew of the ship Nightingale
! Passed
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of
the hill enrolling and calling out National forces
The pending amendment of Mr.. Collamer was
adopted.
Mr. Clark moved an amendment, which was
adopted, allowing the person drafted to be ex-
empted by procuring substitute or paying sum
| of money NOT exceeding $500. to be fixed By the
Secretary OF War: but failing to appear procure
Il substitute or pay the required sum, to be
rested and tried by court martial
Mr.. Wilson, of Massachusetts. moved an
amendment. which was adopted, to make the first
class include those between the ages of % and
80. instead of Is and 35.
Mr.. Sumner moved amendment that all
Ministers of the Gospels be exempted.
After discussion the amendment was rejected,
and the bill reported to the Senate
The question REQUIRED Oh agreeing to the
amendments excepting Governors and the Judi
ciary of States.
Mr.. Trumbull favored the amendment.
Mr.. Dixon thought il highly important that all
should be included, i; would tend to allay any
dissatisfaction that might arise.
Mr. Rice said if the bill did not exempt those
exempted by State Constitutions there would be
resolution.
Several voices-"Oh, no''
Mr. McDOueal said if there was to be a revo-
luton in the North. let it come now But he
did not believe there would be any such revolu
ton.
Mr. Rice did not want Senators to touch any
State Constitution.
The amendment was not concurred in-yeas
IL. nays -
Mr. Wilkinson renewed amendment to EXEMPT
members of Congress. Rejected-yeas l6,
nays 20
Mr. McDougal, offered an amendment. which
was adopted. including citizens of foreign birth
who may have declared intention TO become citi-
zens. in provisions of the bill
Mr.. King renewed amendment to exempt Gov
ernors of States Adopted.
At IL O'Clock the bill passed the Senate.
WASHINGTON February IL
SESArE-Mr. Grimes called up the bill author
izing letters of maruue and repriSal. he briefly
urged the passage of the bill.
Mr. Sumner thought the bill would bring new
and difficult endorsements UPON the nation.
This was bill to establish privateer>, whose
only reward WAS booty incentive to enter
prize.
Mr.. McDougal could see ground for the OBJ
jectiOns of the Senator from Massachusetts, I'M
less on the hypothesis that he belonged to the
peace establishment. He could see no reason
why, in time OF war, most effective force
the ocean should not be used against the enemy.
Our commerce TO day WIS in danger from private
armed vessels of the Rebels. They had been
allowed by other nations TO issue letters OF marque
and had been granted commissions emitting them
to enter foreign ports: and ct we stood question
ing whether we should grant power to private
vessels To seize those vessels
Mr.. ColAmer said one great objection to the
system was. it seemed TO be remnant of com
paratvely ancient barbarism to send out vessels
10 take private property at sea. 1t was agreed
now by ordinary laws of war that the private
J property OF enemy not subject to cap
,