Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-02-17
CONGRESSIONAL.
ny .,.-.,,, ri
WAsHTNdTN, February l6.
SENATE

SENATE.
The Senate bill, granting lands to the State of
Oregon, to aid IN the construction of military
roads, were passed.
On motion Of Mr. Harris, the bill repeating
the statutes of Limitation in certain cases, was
called up and passed. The bill rs amended,
provides that during the existence Of the rebel
lion, the time daring which person shall be be
yond the reach Of legal process, shall not be
deemed or taken as any part of the time limited
by law for the commencement Of action.
On motion Of Mr.. Lane, of Kansas,
the Senate proceeded to the consideration of
the bill setting apart certain lands in Texas for
the use Of persons of African descent.
Mr.. Lsne addressed the Senate at length on
his bill.
There is an evident disposition on the part of
Congress to grant authority to Secretary Chase
to sell the surplus gold in the Treasury His
friends assert that the receipts at the Custom
House between now and July first will be more
than sufficient to meet the specie demands that
will be due at that time, and that judcious sale
Of even one half Of the twenty-five millions Of
dollars la gold now in the Treasury will put
stop to the speculation in gold. Others, how
ever fear that this gold, if taken from the Treas
ury, will be sent abroad and will thus have dis
asterous effect on our finances.
After the conclusion Of Mr.. Lanes remarks
the regular order was taken up. The question
being on Mr.. Cowau's amendment giving all SOL
diers similar pay, &c.
Mr.. Wilson proposed an amendment, giving
all soldiers the same pay, rations, clothing smol
Mr.. Davis proposed an amendment, which was
to dlsband and disarm all colored soldiers that
if colored men were employed in the army it
be as teamsters and laborers. and that ISval
owners be paid for slaves takes and receive full
vslue IN case the slave dies in the service of the
United States. He supported his amendment in
along speech condemnatory of the policy of the
Administration IN employing elaye troops. He
said, even if our armies are successful in the
coming campaign, the rebellion was not SUBJ
dued, as the rebels would carry on a partisan
war.
A message from the House announcing their
adherence to their amendments to the Enroll
ment Bill, and asking for Conference Commit
tee, was received. The Senate adhered to its
amendment, and authorized the Chair to appoint
a Conference Committee
The Senate then, without a vote on the pend
ing question, adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Dawes earnestly urged that the ereden-
tials of James NJ. Johnson, Representative elect
from Arkansas, be referred to the Committee on
Elections.
Colonel johnson, he said, brought with him
the Constitution of Arkansas as q Free State,
the first unwilling fruit Wrung from the rebel
lion.
Mr.. Dawes regarded it as an extraordinary act
that Mr.. Davis of Maryland, should have former
ly moved to lay these credentials on the table
without ever giving Arkansas a fair hearing.
Mr.. Davis, of Maryland, said his objection
was that these credentials assumed the pre-eE-
istenee ofa State Government IN Arkansas, which
was not true in point Of fact. 1t must first be
ascertained whether there is State Government
before they entertain the question of admitting
Representative.
Mr.. Boutwell,, OF Massachusetts,, coneurred in
the views expressed by Mr.. DAVIS of Maryland,
saying that We should wait until Arkansas shall
reOrganize without military coercion.
Mr.. Boutwell, then offered series of resolu-
tons which, in effect, declaratory Of the sense
Of the House in regard to the reconstruction OF
the Union, among the requirements of which
are freedom to the black as well as TO the white
man.
MIR. Herman, of New York, appealed to the
House to devote themselves to practical ques-
tons, instead Of discussing humbug propositions.
Mr.. Dawes argued in favor of referring the
credentials Of Mr.. Johnson to the Committee on
Elections, and that they bs considered without
reference to the questions Of reconstruction.
Mr.. Davis, of Maryland, replied that in his
opinion the admission Of r Representative from
Arkansas would be the recognition Of the exis-
tence of State Government there.
After an Intellectual motion to refer the creden-
tials to the Select Committee on demonstrations,
with instructions, they were referred to the Com
mittee on Elections.
The House then resumed the consideration OF
the whisky revenue bill.
The SenSte's amendment taxing all LIQUORS
distilled afterthe passage of this act or sold be-
tween the first of July and the lst of January
next, seventy cents per gallon. Also, taxing all
liquors distilled or sold on or after Januar lst
next, eighty cents per gallon, were disagreed to
yeas, Al; nayes, los.
The Senate's amendment striking out the addi-
tional tax Of twenty cents on adulterated spirits
was agreed to. The amendment striking out
the proposed on all spirits on hand, was agreed to
without final action.
Honse adjourned.