Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-03-03
CONGRESSIONAL.
In TIE SENATE yesterday
Mr. HandrichR G m nm ifted the fnllny

In TIE SENATE yesterday
Mr.. Hendricks submitted the following reso-
luton, which was adopted:
RESOLVED, That tho Joint Committee on the
Conduct OF the War be directed TO inquire into
causes of and the circumstances attending the
recent military expedition into Florida: with
whom the expedition originated, for what pur.
pose 1t was undertaken, and what were its
results, and that the committee be instructed to
report at as early day as practicable.
Mr. Sherman called mp the subject OF the dis
agreeing votes on the whisky bill He called
attention to the message from the House, and
offered q resolution that the request of the
House for another committee OF conference,
with instruction to agree upon a tax Of not less
than 90 or more than 10 cents on spirits or
domestic liquors on hand, De acqGleseed IN n. tn
proper parliamentary mode in proceeding of
of this kind ensued.
Mr.. Sherman's resolution was rejected
Mr.. Grimes thought they had better get rid Of
the whole subject, as it was evident the Senate
and House could not agree, and let the matter
come up in new bill. He moved the subject
be indefinitely postponed. Rejected.
Finally q motion of Mr.. CONFESS, that the
Senate disagree to the resolutions Of instruction
proposed by the House, and agree to free
committee of conference on the disagreeing
votes of the two Houses, was adopted.
In THE HOUSE
The consideration of the bill declaring the
jurisdiction Of the Court of Claims shall not
extend to or include any claim against the
United States growing out of the destruction
and Navy engaged in the Suppression of the
rebellion was continued:
Mr.. Wilson sent to the Clerks table, to be
read, a letter from Mr.. Whiting, Solicitor OF the
War Department, in which he says large
number Of cases had been referred to him, and
which he had declined to consider. He re-
marks that by far the larger portion Of these
claims are from disloyal States, for every va
riety of property, some Of which has been con-
demned as proper objects Of prize; and what is
singular, every claimant processes to Ie loyal,
although some Of them are known to the War
Department as already engaged in rebellion.
We're they to regard the evidence presented as
ever was a disloyal person in the seeded States
With regard to the general character Of the
claims, they are SO gross and outrageous as to
stamp them with fraud, the idea seeming to be
entertained that it was fair game to rob the
Treasury. In relation to the extent of these
claims, hundreds of millions Of dollars would
settled it would be impossible for the War De-
partment to carry on the war for three months.
AS much danger was to be apprehended from
CORN Grants on the Treasury as from armed
rebels.
The Solicitor says, in conclusion, we ought
not to allow any court or tribunal to pass on
these claims, however small the amount may
be, and the Government should not now com.
NIT itself to acknowledge their validity.
A debate here ensued between Messrs. Will
son, Thomas, OF Md, Schenck, and others,
upon the conclusion of which
Mr.. Thomas proposed an amendment to the
bill, proposing all claims for quartermasters'
stores may be submitted to the Quarterm ,ster
General, and all claims for subsistence to the
Commissary General, accompanied by proof,
and it is made the duty of these officers to
examine the claims, and if found correct, they
are to be referred to the Third Auditor Of the
Treasury Department, which. shall be final
and conclusive. It also provides for the as
certainment Of claims by the appointment of a
commissioner and solicitor for each Of the dis
tricts prescribed in this amendment. Care is
to be taken to exclude dlsloyal claims; and all
claims not presented within three years are to
be barred.
The House agreed to this amendment to the
pending bill.
The House took mp the message from the
Senate that they had disagreed to the instruc-
tons adopted by the House on the disagreeing
amendments to the whisky bill, and ask free
was agreed to-