Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-02-19
OUNWhE5SIUN
WAsHWGToE, February 19

WAsHNGroN, February 19.
SENATE.
Mr.. Wilson, from Conference Committee on
the part of the Senate, on Enrolment Bill, made
rep ort which, after partial reading, was order
petitiau from the citizens Of New York pray
ing for the equalization Of soldiers pay, without
regard to color, was laid on the table.
bill was introduced to encourage emigration
ane' ordered to be printed.
Mr. COnness introduced the following Joint
resolution
Beu resolved, DC, 1st That the Provost Mar
shal General be and he is hereby directed to en-
list such persons as may disire to enter the ma
val service of the United States under such di-
rections as may be given by the Secretaries of
War and Navy, which enlistments shall be con-
ceded to the appropriate district, provided, new
ertheless, that inasmuch as persons enlisted in
the naval service are entitled to prize money,
they shall not receive any bounty upon their en-
lstment.
Cd. That the President of the United States
may, whenever in his Judgment, the public SER
vice requires it, authorize and direct the trans
Ter of persons who have been employed in naval
service and are now enlisted in regiments for
and service from such regiments to the naval
service, upon such times and according to such
regulations as he may pescribe, provided
that the number Of transfers in any regiment or
company shall not be so great rs to reduce such
company or regiment below the minimum Of the
strength required by the regulations of the mil
itary service. And provided further that such
sums as may have been paid to persons so trans
ferred, as bounty for enlistment in the military
service, shall be transferred from the recruiting
fund of the naval service and to the credit of the
proper appropriation for the land service.
On motion of MI. Grimes the following am
endment was sddedI
Be itfurther resolved, That there hall be paid
to each enlisted able or ordinary seaman, here
after enlisted in the naval service, Bn advance
Of three months pay,
The Joint Resolution, as amended, was adopt
ed
Mr.. Connses explains that the Joint Resolution
gives discretionary power to the President to
transfer seamen enlisted in the army to the navy,
and TO make up crews for ships of war to be sent
to the Pacific Cosst. The Navy Department
were ready to send ships to the Pacific Coast for
its protection, but by reason of the great boqn-
ties paid the soldiers, the Navy Department
could not get soldiers, and this provides to meet
this difficulty and TO enable the Government to
send such feet to the Pacific, as well as to give
ample protection against attack. The Senate
went into Executive Session and adjourned.
HOUSE.
A bill was passed providing for the Govern
ment to obtain from the owners of Rock Island,
Illinois, place to erect an Arsenal.
The House proceeded to the consideration of
the resolution to sell the surplus gold Ia the
Treasury.
Mr.. Hooper stated that the amount of gold on
hand on Saturday last was nearly nineteen mil
lion dollars. Estimates show that it will be on
the 1st of July about thirty-seven millions.
The requirements for gold, from now till July
lst. to make the payments Of interest on the
public debt will be less than twenty million dol
lars, showing an excess Of about twelve million
dollars, which may be sold.
Mr.. PendletOn as = member Of the Committee
on Ways and Means differed in opinion with the
Committee.
The amount to be realized would be small and
offered but little relief
The Secretary of the Treasury now has power
to buy gold and he CMr. Pendleton) would not
trust any officer with the power to sell gold,
thus giving him the opportunity to ralss or de-
press the money market at his own pleasure.
Mr.. Mallory, of Kentucky, announced the fact
that the Secretary has not asked for this poT-
er.
: Mr.. iPendleton said in the course Of four
months we will have to pay, interest, more
than the amount OF gold on haud.
Mr.. Brooks said that by the public record
gold is soIemnly promised to pay the public
debt It cannot be diverted without a violation
of faith Ifa remedy is sought for relieving the
Treasury Gifts surplus gold let the July interest
on the public debt be anticipated.
The President has the sword and through the
Secretary Of the Treasury, the purse, and he
steads the impersonation of desportism if he
chooses to exercise the power.
At the conclusion Of his remarks Mr.. Brooks
earnestly appealed to the gentlemen to stand by
the specie basis.
Mr.. Garfield advocates the resolution saying
that according 10 his estimates there will be in
the Treasury July 1st, next, 5000 in gold,
over and above what is required to pay the in
terest on the Public Debt.
Mr. Boutwell,, OF Massachusetts, suggested
and supported an amendment He desired to
offer, authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury,
to anticipate the payment in gold, ofthe interest
on the Public Debt at the rate Of six per cent.
Provision for $500 Communication is agreed to,
with a proviso thst it shall exempt for no longer
period than one year and that at the expiration
ofthst time, such person shall again be liable to
q draft.
The bill, as reported, also frees colored per-
sons who may be drafted. 1t provides that such
troops shall not be assigned as State troops, but
shall be mustered into the service as United
States Colored Volunteers.
The District Of Columbia business will occupy
the rest of to-day.
Fernando Wood said the resolution was only
for a temporary purpose, and he was opposed to
it for the reason that gold was required as the
basis for sustaining the Government. Heargued
that no nation could live by borrowing and where
the expenditures exceed the income, the result
would be bankruptcy, ruin and drepudiation.
Mr.. Kasson explained that the resolution only
proposed to appropriate the surplus gold beyend
the want of the Government, and did not extend
the public faith, while it was true the resolution
gave discretion to the Secretary to sell the gold
as 1t was absolutely necessary it should be so.
No one could say that the Secretary Of the Treas
ury had not deserved all his obligations.
Mr Dumont opposed the resolution because
he believed it involved violation of the public
faith.
Mr. Cox advocated the amendment that the
sale of gold shall be by bids, with at least FIVE
days notice given.
% motion of Mr.. Stevens, the Resolution and
pending amendments were re-cOmmitted to the
Committee on Ways snd Means, to be reported
back tomorrow.
Mr.. Clay of KY, introduced bill which was
referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, |
providing that when special or express com |
pact has been made since January lst, 1862, or |
shall hereafter be made upon the deposit or |
loan of Colds for the payment of such loan or de-
post in gold nothing shall be legal tender for
the payment or discharge of such contract, OF |
any adjudSement rendered thereon, but gold, |
any law TO the contrary notwithstanding.
Mr.. Garfield introduced 8 bill which was re- !
ferred to the Committee on Military Affairs, to |
organize regiment Of veteran volunteer. engi- |
MeerS.
A Joint restitution explanatory Of certain acts |
Of Congress relative to the S25 bonnty WAS re-
portedfrom ths Military Committee and pass |
ed.
A bill establishing g Freedmen's Bureau wss |
then taken up, but no action Tvs had omit.
Adjourned.