Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-06-22
Congressional.

was Jdkell up OH mOClOn ol Mr. NndnuleT'
Mr.. Grimes opposed the bill as a monopc
ly on the part Of the Western Union Tele
graph Company. oga...1
Mr.. Morrill, defended the bill, and sal
that the line could not be built unless bya
organized effort on the part of some com
pany, and who would not rejoice In seein
America join Russia and England In throw
ing telegraph band or circle around tn
earth.
HoUsE-Mr. Schenck, of Ohio, from tn
committee on Military Affairs, made q
adverse report, which was laid on the tabl'
on the petition of certain citizens who hav
been confined in rebel prisons, asking tina
they be allowed the same pay and ration
as soldiers of the United States army. MI
Schenck also reported bill for the relie
of Mary Kellogg, wife of Spencer Kellogg.
who was executed as a spy by the rebel au-
thorities, provided his name shall be placer
on the list of officers of the navy, as 4tl'
when he was executed, and that his wife re
ceiye the pension due to his rank. Th'
resolution was passed.
Mr.. Schenck made an adverse report OIL
the resolution directing an inquiry into tn
eXpediency of reporting bill for the pay
of the officers and soldiers who have no
been mustered into the service.
The Senate bill to examine into the NOR
ais and business qualifications of commits
saries, quartermasters, paymasters and as
sistant paymasters, was passed with amend"
ments. A bill was reported giving pay
masters and military storekeepers of ord
nance the same rank, pay and emoluments
as captains of ordnance, but to have M
command; also increasing the efficiency oI
the medical corps Of the army.
A fnint ,.aon1,ttiop orfa tn ora1if
Major Brinton with $2600,000, the amount
lost by the burning of the steamer Ruth,
nearly all Of which had been recovered, and
postponed till December next.
The Conference Committee reported the
Legislative, Executive and Judicial ap-
preparation bill. The report was adopted.
The Committee on Military Affairs reported
adversely upon the memorial of citizens of
Illinois for cessation of hostilities against
the rebels; also hill to amend the act of
1S49, to pay for horses destroyed in the
military service, by providing pay for the
horses lost by surrender made by command
ing officers, which was passed. Also that
veterinary surgeons of cavalry regiments
have the same rank, pay and emoluments
as Second Lieut.. of cavalry; and be ap-
pointed and commissioned the same as 9TH
er officers. Passed.
hlSu u Dlli lOI VI OllSClS vi blC
4th and 9Th regiments of Indians appointed
by the Secretary of War, and mustered
ont without pay. Passed.
Also, against the resolution to inquire
what further legislation is necessary to pre-
vent substitute brokers from purchasing
substitutes. Also for the relief of Mrs.
Gen. Lander. Also againstthe proprosition
to purchase the two bridges at Rock Island.
Mr.. Schenck, from the committee on Mil
itary Affairs, Ie ported bill with reference
to the draft, which he thus substantially
explained: The President sees the necessity
of having men and not money, and finds
that the existing enrolment act does not
produce them because of various circum-
stances; such as communication for substi-
tutes and other things which interfere
The President. it is known, has sent mes
sage to the House inclosing communica-
tion from the Secretary of War and Pro-
vost Marshal General Fry, recommending
that the commutation clause be repealed.
Mr.. Schenck gave an illustration to show
how difficult it was to procure men, show
ing that in the fourth district of Maryland,
only 100 were secured by bounty, 80 were
obliged to serve because they could not
purchase exemption, while $50 were releas-
ed by paying the Communication. In view
of all these facts, the first and second Sec
tions of the bill proposed to repeal the
Communication clause of the enrolment act
by providing that substitutes may be fur
nished by the drafted man in the person of
his father son or brother.
The third section of the bill pallated
what otherwise might appear to be strin-
gent feature in the bill. 1t was provided
that the draft should not be wholly for
three years, but the President might order
draft for a less period, but not under one
year. In order further to sustain and car
ry out the intention of the bill, so as not to
make it grevious hardship on any citizen,
it is further provided that whenever the
President calls for draft, he shall at the
same time notify the people of the country
that volunteers will be accepted in lieu of
drafted men, and those volunteers may be
accepted for one, two or three years.
Every township, ward, county or precinct
is permitted to make upits quota by volun-
teers; every man, whether he be poor or
rich, has an interest in having the draft
made. Volunteers serving one year are to
receive bounty of $10G for two years,
$500; and for three years, $500. The other
sections of the bill pretend to remedy the
defects in the old law.
Mr.. Randall, of Pa, inquired whether it
was the intention of the gentleman MIR.
Schenckl to move the previous question.
Mr.. Schenck said this was vital meas
ure, hence the necessity for its immediate
passage.
Mr.. Randall objected to the second read
ing of the bill.
The question, therefore, recurred under
the rules: Shall the bill be rejected? The
vote was yeas 75, nays rs. There being
tie vote the Speaker voted in the negative,
and thus saved the bill from rejection.
Mr.. Blaine, ofMaine, moved to strike out
the first and second sections of the bill. He
said that the SECRETARY of War and the
Provost Marshal General had given the
worst aspects in the case, which he (Blaine)
briefly illustrated. He should stand up for
the enrolment law as enacted the last win
ter. 1t would fill up the army more rapid
ly than the measure now proposed.
Mr.. Chandler, of New York, opposed the
bill, and in reply to Mr.. Schenck, said that
it was spurious plea that this bill was the
poor mans friend. This measure tended to
centralize in the Executive the whole army
regulars and volunteers-and cut off all
connection between the people and the
Government.
Mr.. Randall, of Pennsylvania, said that
this bill was not called for by the public
wants; the people throughout the country
do not desire it.. If the House pass this bill
it will not meet the concurrent action of
the Senate.
Mr.. Schenck said that if the bill was
passed it should be passed entire, without
being amended by striking out the first and