Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1864-02-18
Congressional,

congressional.
. SENATE--On the 10th Mr.. Sumne
presentedpetitions Of II ,706 soldiers o
. New York, $1,000 of Illinois, and IL,
GAL of Massachusetts, and a duplicate
number offemales, praying for the en-
tire adjustment of slavery. The in
PRODUCTION of the petitions caused
spicy and interesting debate between
Senators Salisbury, Sumner, Wilson
and others.
| Mr.. Powell introduced bill amend
ing the Constitution so as to provide
a new method Of electing the Presi
dent of the United States.
Bills were introduced by Mr., Sum
ner repeating all laws providing fol
the rendition of fugitive slaves, and
providing that there shall be no OBJ
lection made to any witness in Uni
ted States Courts on account of color
Mr.. Wilson reported back the bill
reviving the grade of Lieutenant Gen.
eral, with an amendment striking out
the clause making said officer Com,
mander-in-Chief, and the clause rec
ommendatory of General Grant for the
position. .... a. .r .
The Senate proceeded to the consid.
Grafton of the bill for the promotion Of
enlistmcnts. r.
MIR. Doolittle spoke atlength, claim.
ing that it was the duty of the Gov.
eminent to increase our armies. Slav.
cry was the primary cause of the war
and ought to be forever done away
with. . .... .... ....a g.
He was followed by Mr. Richard
son, who considered the war thus far
carried on totally for the negro, leav-
ing white men, who have some civil
cation, out of account. The war had
been chapter of Administration blum.
ders. .aga.. .- us ,tr.s ...
The bill reviving the grade of Lieut.
General was called up by Mr.. Wilson
of the Military Committee, with the
amendments adopted by that Commit.
tee, when long debate ensued.
The; general tenor of the debate
seemed to be in favor of the appoint
ment of Grant, whether it was recon
mended in the bill or not. Oh. tsa-
Mr.. Trumbull declared that he ia
vored the bill on the ground of getting
some new man at the head of our arm
les, for which he believed a great ne
ccssity exists. though he did not be
lieve that this bill would add much I,
the honors already bestowed upol
General Grant Mr.. Richardson ia
vored the bill on the ground that j
would result in placing some one a
the head of the army who would adop
the policy of concentration of troops
and thus put down the rebellion.
Mr.. CONFESS proposed to amend s
that the Lieutenant General shall b
General-in-Chief of the armies, unde
the direction of the President, an,
shall remain in chief command durin,
the pleasure Of the President. ..
| Without coming to q vote, the Sen
ate adjourned. 1g..gf. n .. r....
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. .a
The House went into Committee o.
the Whole on the enrolment bill.
The amendment to draft persons o
African descent, to constitute par
of the national forces. was discussed
involving the question of compensa
tion to loyal owners.
| During the debate. Mr.. Fernando
Wood said the Confederate Congress
was now debating propositions o.
peace, while we here were legislatine
in violation of the Constitution.
| Mr.. Cox favored peace propositions
and believed if Mr.. Wood were sen
on a mission to Richmond, peace
would be restored in sixty days
| Mr.. Smith, of Kentucky, said he
was the last man to treat with the
rebels-who must lay down their
arms and yield to the Government un-
conditionally.
An amendment by Mr.. Davis was
agreed to providing for the appoint.
ment of q Commissioner to each slave
State represented in Congress, to
award just compensation, not exceed.
ing $500, to each loyal owner of any
slave who volunteers, payable out OF
the Communication money when the
master frees the slave. .s5 "a.
Mr.. Baldwin moved to substitute
the words "pcrson to whom the col.
lored volunteer owes service" for % the
owner of any slave" Agreed to.
| Mr.. Broomall offered proviso, that
this section shall not apply to any
Congressional district, If the Repre-.
sentative of the same shall expressly
ask that the slaves of his district be
exempted from the draft, letting it
fall more heavily on white men. Disa
greed to. ' @s1" G"sat .
Mr. Webster offered an amendment
that the bounty of 800 now payable
for each drafted man shall be paid to
the person to whom such drafted per.
son owes service, OH freeing the per
son. Agreed to. IS ~ '4's
Tho debate continued at great
length.
Finally, Mr.. Stevens amendment
as amended by Messrs Davis and
Webster, was agreed to. ="
Various propositions were disposed
of. AIAi ei
The committee rose and reported
the amendment to the House.
Mr.. Schenck offered substitute,
which includes the above amendments
Ordered to be printed, together with
the bill as amended. " aa "
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The Ohio State .J0uraaL relates n,