Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-02-26
LATEST NEWS.
BY TELEGRA PH
TO THE WORCESTER DAILY SPY.
THIRrY-sEvENTn CONGRESS-.
WAsHINGToN, Feb. %.
GIN NflNIN

WAsHNGToN, Feb. 20.
SENATE.
The bill authorizing the president to confer
breyet rank was passed. memorial from
the legislature of Wisconsin was presented,
asking reduction of the paper duty. The
bill to promote the health and comfort of the
army, was taken up and passed. An amend
Inent by Mr.. Sumner denying tobacco to the
soldiers being rejected by majority Of 80.
The Pacific railroad bill was taken up, and
the amendment was adopted providing that
the retaining of a certain per centage Of bonds
till the roUd was completed, only apply to
that portion of the road on either slope Of the
Rocky Mountains. An amendment was
adopted that the president may pay any COM
panies mentioned in the act in lieu OF bonds
of the United States, an equal amount of law
tul money.
The appropriation bill was taken up.
large number of amendments were acted
on and the bill passed.
Mr.. PoMERoY presented the resolutions of
the legislature of New Mexico, asking con-
greSs to make some provision for the six hun
dred Indian captives now held in servitude in
that territory, and who will be released by the
act of congress passed June 10, 1862.
Mr.. ARNOLD offered resolution, which was
adopted, requesting the president to commu-
nicate the proceedings of the court martial in
the case of commander Charles Hunter.
Mr.. DAVIS introduced bill for the pay
ment of officers and soldiers who have actually
rendered service in the army without being
regularly enrolled.
Mr.. RICE introduced a bill to secure the
right Of trial by jury in land cases in Calfor-
mia. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
The bill to organize the national forces was
taken up. The house proceeded to vote on
the amendments. 1t adopted one combining
the term of service to the present rebellion
and not to exceed three years; also, one pro-
viding that all persons in time of war or re-
bellion found lurking or acting as spies about
Notifications and camps Of the army, shall be
tried by general court martial or military
commission, and on conviction shall suffer
death.
Several amendments were offered and re-
jected. Mr.. WICKLIFFE offered an amend
ment giving the states power TO appoint Off
GERS over companies and regiments raised I'M
der this bill. Rejected, 50 against 104. The
question was taken on Mr.. HoLMAN's motion
to strike out the section providing that neglect
to provide substitutes shall subject the delin-
quent to trial as Il deserter. Disagreed to
&c against 49,
The house then passed the senate bill for
enrolling and calling out the national forces
with the above noted amendments made by
the house, together with striking out from the
duties of the provost marsh9ls that of enquir-
ing into and reporting to the provost marshal
general on all reasonable practices. The
vote on its passage was, yeas ll5, nays 40.
Mr.. WHITE reported from the select COM
mittee a bill appropriating ten millions to aid
Maryland in the emancipation of slaves. At
ter some debate it was recommittcd. Recess
till seven.
Mr.. MAYNARD rising to question Of priv
ilege, stated that George N. Bridges, member
from the third district in Tennessee, had ar
rived here. He moved that the gentleman be
admitted to a seat. Mr.. Bridges was elected
at the same time that he was under the law
passed previous to the rebellion.
Mr.. DAWES briefly advocated his admission.
stating that Bridges while on the way to
Washington from Tennessee was arrested
and taken back to East Tennessee, and had
but recently been released from rebel custody
Mr.. MAYNARD remarked that Mr.. Bridges
district was still within the federal lines.
After refusing by large vote to refer the
credentials of Mr.. Bridges to the committee
on elections, that gentleman was sworn in as
Il member.
EVENING SESSION.
Mr. WHITE of Indiana, from the select
committee emancipation, reported bill
for fifteen millions in bonds to aid the abolish
ment of slavery in Missouri. Hall and Val
landgham severally raised questions of order,
hat