The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-02-28
BY TELEGRAPH
THE
Portland Daily Press.
XXXvII OONGRESs.---second Session
SENATE.

1
on the bill limiting the number Of Major and
Brigadier Generals.
The bill establishing rules and articles of
war, with amendments, was reported back
from the Military Committee.
memorial was presented from the mer-
chants OF New York asking investigation into
| prize sales, and the passage of acts to secure
| speedy and less expensive sales, and the dis
tribution OF the proceeds. Referred to the
| Naval Committee.
A joint resolution was offered relative to the
payment of volunteers. Referred.
The bill. establishing an educational institu-
ton for colored children in the District of
Columbia, was passed-yeas 20, nays 8.
The committee OF Conference on the bill
providing ways and means for the support Of
the government, made report, which was
agreed, and q new Conference Committee was
appointed on the amendment relative to tax
on banks.
The bill to extend the Washington & Alex
andria Railroad was taken up. An amend
ment was adopted that colored people be al
lowed to ride.
Mr.. Clark opposed the bill, and referred to
letters from the Secretary of War against the
measure.
Mr.. McDougal denounced the Secretary of
War as base man. and was called to order.
| The bill passed.
The bill for the collection of abandoned
property and the prevention of fraud in insur-
rcctionary districts was taken up. An amend
ment was adopted excluding all captures by
the navy. An amendment was adopted ex-
GLIDING all property intended TO be used
against the United States, such as ships, muni-
lions of war, DC. A motion was made to strike
out the section authorizing agents of the
Treasury Department 10 buy cotton, rice,
sugar aud tobacco.
Mr.. Wilson of Mass, made report from the
committee of conference on the bill to limit
the number of Major and Brigadier Generals
which was agreed to. The report makes in all
10 Major Generals and 275 Brigadiers.
The Senate here took recess until O'Clock.
Erening Session.-The bill to facilitate the
taking of dispositions in the United States TO
be used in other countries, was passed.
The Senate then resumed the consideration
Of the bill for the collection of abandoned
property in insurrectionary districts, the ques-
ton being on the motion to strike out the
sections authorizing the agents OF the Treas
ury Department TO purchase cotton, rice,s sugar
aud tobacco.
Mr.. Davis, in the course of some remarks,
said many officers had engaged in the collec-
ton of large amounts of plumber, and he I'M
derstood Gen. Butler, through brother of his,
had been largely engaged in this plumber.
Mr.. Wilson said these charges were made by
men who hated Gen. Butler. Every man who
acted with vigor and energy against the rebels
had been slandered and abused. No man had
done more than Gen. Butler, and he hoped the
Senator would be true to his promise, and call
for the committee TO Investigate the conduct
OF Gen. Butler, and he believed these imputa
tons would prove to be unfounded in fact He
said Gen. Butler had turned over to General
Banks nearly a million dollars worth Of prop
erty, and put in the treasury nearly three
quarters OF a million. He had done more
than almost any man to support the govern
ment and restore order in New Orleans. Gen.
Butler had supported nearly 10000 poor peo-
pie, and had levied contributions on the rebels
TO furnish the means. He did not believe
Gen. Butler ever received farthing wrong
fully at New Orleans, or attempted to do so.
Mr.. Davis said that at the next session he
would call for a committee to investigate the
doings Of Gen. Butler. He said, the men who
had done SO much for their country were as
persed, and the brightest instance was Gen.
Mcclellan. At the commencement of the war
he believed Adutant General Thomas trail
tor He Davis had offered a resolution to
investigate his conduct, but the Senator from
Massachusetts, (WilsonD had objected.
Mr.. Rice said, he believed there was no more
loyal man than Gen. Thomas. He never
shrank from any investigation, and il would
have been bright day for him il the resolu-
ton for a committee had passed. As for Gen.
Butler, he (Rice) was was here during the dark
DAYS when Gen Hntlpr was our only stav
when he had command nj Annanoljs ind he
,hoo.bt i, /. ,,r.., ,n;.,.I. -, -. 49,
was taken away from New Orleans and dart
day for the loyal peonle ~ New Orleans He
aid moi. believe Cen Rn,iar over ,ooL n doil,r
from any Ioyal man
Mr.. Davis asked how IL was that Gen. Rut-
ler's brother became SO rich.
Mr.. Rice said he knew nothing about Gen
Buffers brother. and there was not particle
of evidence before the Senate thai he ever
took a dollar. 1t was mere newspaper report.
and he tbouoht grave charges shonId M, bs
made in that way
Mr.. Davis asked what the Senator tbougbt
of the gross order of Gen. Bntler with REGARD
to the women.
Mr.. Rice said he could not iudoe of the
proyocation OF ,h,, order hu, from q, pn,1
ieris explanation Of Il. IL was eyiden, !, Ala
not mean what the rebels tried 10 make n
mean. In REGARD 10 the gentlemen from s,
Louis. who saws he LOST his nlate and f,rn,-
Ter never touched n dollar of his nropertv
Mr.. Davis said he understood Ibis pentle-
man was as lovaI Sena,or from Minnesota ,s
NJ p;as S''-'o' az YIN Us
Mr. Rice said ba mada N, nro,oss;o,s 90
Loyalty
NJ nay;s Gaia ha h.a ,.,,o .,
Mr. Chandlar raisad ,ha ,,,,,, ,.g ordar ,ho,
this discussion WAS ep,;raly irraley.u,
The 1,hair ,iac;dad ,ha,,,a -, 80 non
rec,ly ,aL.n WY fN'' "''
NJ panail a., t.;u aa.,..;
4, 10 ~. uncons,;,r,ia,7sI a,,S 49,, r,,s,l.e
ON the neonia "''A
NJ Fles, -. -,