Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-02-03
THIRTY-sEvENTn CONGRESS.
MONDAY, Feb. 2.

the secretary OF the smithsonian lhstltutei
transmitting resolutions of the board of re-
gents, stated that George E. Badger had not
attended The meetings of the board, and they
understood he was in the rebel army, and sug-
gcsted that he ought no longer to remain
member of the board
Mr.. RICHARDSON presented petition to
Madison V. johnson. and asked it to be read.
Mr.. GRIMES objected, unless there was some
thing especial in it, as it was contrary to rules.
Mr.. RICHARDSON said the petitioner had been
arrested and imprisoned, and discharged,
without any assigned cause. He moved for
committee to investigate the facts, with
power to send for persons and papers.
Mr.. SUMNER moved that the petition be
referred to the committee on the judiciary.
Mr.. RICHARDSON read the petition. saying
that the petitioner was arrested last August,
upon a telegram from the secretary of war,
without warrant, and imprisoned until the
18th of September; and that no reason was
ever assigned for his arrest or discharge. He
spoke in favor of investigation.
Mr.. ANTHONY said he understood that this
man could have been released at any time by
taking the oath of allegiance.
Mr.. RICHARDSON said the oath was offered
him after being arrested, imprisoned, and the
wrong done.
ANTHoNY-He refused to take it.
RICHADsoN-He did refuse.
ANTHoNY-Tben | think the senate has
more important business before it than at
tending to requests of prisoners who refuse
to take the oath of allegiance to the govern
ment have no sympathy for him. | move
to lay the petition on the table.
Mr.. BAYARD thought there could be no pro-
priety in rendering such an oath to a man ar
rested unlawfully.
hiatt fo
ask man who had fallen under suspicion to
clear himself by pledgng anew his faith and
loyaly. The petition was tabled, yeas %,
nays s.
Mr.. HARRIS, from the committee on the ju-
dietary, reported back the bill to aid Missouri
in emancipation.
Mr.. WILSON of Massachusetts, offered a
resolution directing the paymaster general to
inform the senate what payments, if any, were
made up to the 3lst of August. 1862 if none
were made, for what reason; adopted.
The legislative and Judicial appropriation
bill was taken up, the question being in regard
to the appropriation for the agricultural de-
partment. Mr.. ANTHONY moved to increase
the amount to $4,000, Of which $4,000
shall be expended in experiments to procure
substitute for cotton. MIR. HARLAN moved
to increase the amount to 100000.
Mr., HARLAN's amendment was rejected
yeas 10, nays 20. Mr. ANTHONY withdrew
his former amendment and offered another
appropriating $4,000 for experiments in pre-
pairing hemp and flax as a substitute for cot
ton. The amendment was adopted by yeas
20, nays u. Mr.. LANE of Kansas moved to
amend 1t so as to appropriate $4,000 to en-
courage the culture of cotton rejected. The
| amendment of the committee on finance,
making an appropriation for the agricultural
department of $50, 900 instead of $130,000 as
in the house bill, was adopted. The amend
ment striking out the section increasing the
salary OF the assistant secretary of state to
$1,000 was adopted.
An amendment was offered by Mr.. Pow
ELL, respecting the fishing bounties, was re-
jected; yeas s, nays 81. The bill was then
reported to tie senate. The amendment APP
propriating eighty thousand dollars for the
| agricultural department was agreed to. The 4
amendment appropratng three thousand dol
lars to distribute cotton and tobacco seed, was
agreed to, and the bill then passed
Adjourned.
HOUSE.
The negro soldier bill was taken up and
Mr.. May of Maryland denounced it, Mr..
Stevens replied, and in the course Of his re-
marks, said 100000 men will be soon taken
from the army by reason of the expiration of
their term of service, and in the present con-
dition of the country, fifty thousand voun-
teers could not be raised to fill this vacancy,
and conScrption was out of the question.
After further remarks, the main question
was ordered Mr. Maynard's motion referring
the bill and amendments to the military COM
mittce was negatived. The bill then passed,
yeas SO, nays 50. The bill, as passed, is as
follows:
''Be it enacted blythe senate and house of
representatives Of the United States of Ameri-
ca in congress assembled, that the president
be and he is hereby authorized to enrol. arm,
equip, and receive into the land and naval SER
vice of the United States, such a number of
volunteers of African descent as he may deem
equal to suppress the present rebellion, for
such term OF service as he may prescribe, not
exceeding five years; the said volunteers to
be organized according to the regulations of
the branch of the service into which they may
be enlisted, to receive the same rationS, cloth
ing, and equipments, as other volunteers. and
monthly pay not to exceed that of the vol
untecrS; to be differed by white or black rer-
sons, appointed and commissioned by the
president, and to be governed by the rules and
articles of war, and such other rules and reg
ulations as may be prescribed by the presi-
dent;
Provided that nothing herein contained, or
in the rules or articles of war, shall be con-
strued to authorize or permit any officer of
African descent to be appointed to rank or
exercise military authority over white officers,
soldiers, or men in the military or naval serv-
ice Of the United STATES, nor shall any greater
pay than ten dollars per month, with the
usual allowment of clothing and rations be
allowed to privates or laborers of African de-
scent, who has or may be in the military or
naval service of the United States;
Provided further, that slaves of loyal citi-
zens in the states exempt by the presidents
proclamation of January l, 1868, shall not be
received into the armed service of the United
States, nor shall there be recruiting offices
opened in the states of Delaware, Maryland,
West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee or Mis-
souri,, without the consent of the governors of
said states having been first obtained"
The house then adjourned