The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-02-15
CONVERSATIONAL.
Washington, Feb. -.
SENATE.

The resolution Of thanks to General
Sherman, his officers and men, passed.
On motion Of Mr.. Wilson, the Senate
resolutions equalizing the pay OF soldiers,
were taken up
A report of the Secretary of War was
received in answer 10 o resolution relative
10 officers communication for quarters and
fuel. 1t shows that there are 5s7 off
GERS here drawing such Communication now:
l9 Major Generals, Is Brgadier GEN
erals, "a Colonies, Is Lieutenant Col
onels, "a Majors, l26 Captains, 4s Lieu
tenants, rs Surgeons. IL Assistant Sur.
geons, and 10 Paymasters.
Mr.. Powell presented memorial from
the Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce,
representing that within a few months
more than SIS. 600. 900 have been mined
and are awaiting egress, and asking aid in
the construction OF road through cen
trail Minnesota. Referred.
On motion of Mr. Wilson, the Senate
proceeded to the consideration of the bill
equalizing the pay of United States SOL
dlers.
An smendmen, offered by Mr.. Wilson
equaizing the pay of colored troops, ex-
tending tie provisions of tho bill so as TO
give them an additional So per month
from January LIST, 1864, was adopted.
An amendment By Mr. Doolittle, de-
Quoting 81 dollars per month from their
pay Tor supporting their families and
friends, was discussed.
Mr. Cenness Withdrew his amendment
conhnlng the benefits to those in service
at the time of the passage Of tue amend
ment.
Dir. Sumner offered an amendment
providing that in cases when the Score.
tary of War shall be satisfied that persons
OF color have been mustered into the SER
vice of the United States, at the rate Of
sl3 per month, they shall be paid at that
rate for previous services.
Mr.. Grimes hoped the Serator would
withdraw his proposition, and that from
this time forward every soldier was to re-
ce've the same pay. He hoped the bill
might be allowed to stand on its own
merits without making it retrospective.
Mr.. Wilson moved to strike out the
clause in the bill of the committee giving
colored troops the same pay, &C., except
bounty, during the whole time they have
been In the service, and insert after the
first of January, 1864.
MIR. Sumner would not withdraw his
amendment without explaining that its
provisions would apply only to few regi-
ments, and there would be no great draft
on the treasury.
MIR. Fessenden here claimed the floor
to report from the Finance Committee.
tie reported certain amendments to the
House deficiency bill and asked that they
lie over till Monday.
Mr.. johnson. in reply to Sumner, said
II the black men OF Maryland were as
good as the black men enlisted else where,
Why make exceptions If justice we're
done according to the views of tie Sem
Tor from Massachusetts, some $500. 900
would be taken from the treasury, or as
ne understood it about 81, 500, 900. All
should be paid alike. Why did not Mas
saehusetts pay those troops herself7
mr.. Fessenden said be understood the
pay had been offered, but colored troops
refused to receive it.
Mr. Wilson explained the circumstances
under which the colored troops from Mas.
sachusetts had refused to receive their
pay. They held the government to the
pledges made to them and wanted Sl9
per month, or asked to be discharged
IRON the service.
Mr.. Johnson said they we're colored
gentlemen of extraordinary sensibilities.
Mr.. Grimes said that from the verv out
set he and his colleague Harlan were
IN favor of putting negro troops on an
with whites. He was on the
record in this respect before the Senator
from Massachusetts, (Sumner.)
Mr.. Sumner said that in public speech |
be had said that while he was ia favor of |
carrying the war into Africa, he was more
IN favor of carrying the African into the
var. Laughter.
Mr.. Grimes was not only in favor of |
carrying the African into the MAR. hut