Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-02-28
LATEST NEWS.
BY LEGRAPH
TO THE WORCESTER DAILY SPY.
TH1RrY-sEVENTM CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 81.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 81.
SENATE.
a communication was received from the
secretary OF the treasury, transmitting addi-
tional reports from collectors concerning du-
ties on paper.
committee of conference was appointed
on the bill limiting the number of major and
brigader generals.
The bill establishing rules and articles of
war, with amendments, was reported back
from the military committee.
A memorial was presented from the mer-
chants of New York, asking an investigation
into the prize sales and the passage of acts to
secure a speedy and less expensive sales and
distribution of the proceeds. Referred to the
naval committee.
A joint resolution was offered relatiyeto the
payment OF volunteers; referred.
The bill establishing an educational insttu-
ton for colored children in the district of Co.
lumbia passed-yeaS 20, nays 8.
The committee of conference on the bill
providing ways and means for the support of
government made a report, which was agreed
| to, and new conference committee was APP
pointed on the amendment relative to banks.
| The bill to extend the Washington and AL
exandria railroad was taken up and amended
to allow colored persons 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 a base man, and was called to order.
The bill passed.
The bill for the collection of abandoned
property and prevention Of fraud in insurrec-
tionary districts was taken up. Amendments
were adopted excluding all captures by the
navy, and all property intended to be used
against the United States, such as ships, mu-
nitions Of war, &c.
Mr. WILSON of Massachusetts made re-
port, from the committee of conference, on the
bill to limit the number of major and brgadler
generals, which was agreed to. The report
makes in all 10 major generals and 275 briga-
| der generals.
EVENING SESSION.
The bill to facilitate taking dispositions in
the United States to be used III other coun-
tries, passed. The senate resumed the con.
sideraton of the bill for the collection of
abandoned property in insuTectonary dis
tricts, the question being on motion to strike
out the sections authorizing the agent of the
treasury to purchase cotton, rice, sugar and
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 had, through brother
of his, been largely engaged in the plumber.
Mr.. WILNoN said Gen. Butler had turned
over to Gen. Banks nearly a million dollars
worth of property, and put in the treasury
nearly three-quarters of million. He had
done more than any other man to support the
government and restore order in New Orleans.
Butler had supported nearly 10000 people,
and had levied contributors on the rebels to
help furnish the means. He thought impu-
tations on Gen Butler entirely uncalled
for and unjust. He did not believe Butler
ever received a farthing wrongly at New Or
leans, or attempted to do so.
Mr.. DAVIS said at the next session hewould
call for committee of investigation into Gen.
Buffers doingS.
Mr.. WILSON said these charges were made
by men who hated Gen. Butler. Every man
who acted with rigor 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 pro-
mise, and call for committee to investigate
the conduct of Gen. Butler, and he believed
that these imputations would be unfounded in
fact. Mr. DAVIS smia 'lT9 rrie'i =" no had done
so much tor their country were asperSed, and
the brightest instance was Gen. Mcclellan.
adjutant general Thomas was a traitor, and
sympathized with treason, and he (Davis) had
offered resolution to investigate his conduct,
but the senator from Massachusetts had OBJ
jected.
Mr. RICE said he believed there was no
more loyal man than General Thomas, and
he never shrank from any investigation, and
1t would have been bright day for him if the
resolution for committee had passed As
for General Butler, he (Rice) was here in the
dark days when General Butler was our only
stay, when he had command of Annapolis,
and he thought it was great mistake that he
was taken away from New Orleans, and a
dark day for the loyal people of that city. He
did not believe General Butler ever took
dollar from any loyal man.
Mr.. DAVIS asked how it was that General
Buffers brother became so rich.
Mr.. RICE said he knew nothing about Gen.
Buffers brother, and there was not particle
OF evidence before the senate that he ever
took dollar. 1t was a mere newspaper re-
port, and he thought grave charges should not
be made in that way. Semi-rebels and SYM
pathizers with treason were apt to complain.
Mr.. DAVIS asked what the senator thought |
of the gross order of Gen. Butler with regard |
to women.
Mr.. RICE said he could not judge of the |
provocation for that order, but from Gen.
Buffers explanation it was evident it did not |
mean what the rebels tried to make it out. In |
regard to the gentleman from St. Louis, who |
says he lost his plate and furniture, he would |
say that he was either traitor or else Gen. |
Butler never touched dollar of his property.
Mr.. DAVIS said he understood this gentle
man was as loyal as the senator from Mime
sofa.
Mr. RICE said he made no profession of |
loyalty.
Mr. DAVIS said he had better make none.
Mr. CHANDLER raised point of order, that
this discussion was entirely irrelevant. The
chair decided that the point was correctly
taken.
Mr.. POWELL spoke against the bill.
Mr.. CHANDLER said the bill was to act on
the rebels, and he did not expect the SEN
ator from Kentucky to support it or anything |
calculated to support the government A |
rebel has sacrificed his right to life, liberty |
and happiness.
The discussion was continued by Messrs. |
CLARK, MORRILL,, and others. On motion of
Mr.. WILSON of Massachusetts the bill was
postponed.
The joint resolution giving the thanks of |
congress to Gen. Rosecrans ana the officers |
and men under his command, for gallantry
at Murtreesboro, passed.
After an executive session the senate adj
journed.
HOUSE.