Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-04-30


of cavalry wanted with two hundred and
sixty-five wagons, unless 1t was to gather
up the products Of the country.
Mr.. Conness stated, on what he consid-
cred the highest authority, that these wag-
ons were part Of the regular train OF the
army, and whatever might have been the
defect OF generalship which brought them
there, the statement that they were intend
ed to bring In cotton was not correct.
Mr.. Henderson made no charges himself,
but It was singular that the disaster.had
followed the statements and predictions of
the newspaper writers. lie read q letter
from Grand Ecore, dated four days before
the battle, alleging q conflict of authority
between Banks and Porter and stating that
the latter was seizing cotton on land as q
naval prize, and predicting disaster.
Mr.. Conness denounced the statement
read rs Il cruel and base SANDER OH Admir-
al Porter which he had the highest author
ity for denying. The resolution, as amend
ed, was adopted.
Mr.. Nesmith called up the Senate bill to
establish branch mints at Carson City, Ne
vada, and Dallas City, Oregon. An amend
ment striking out Carson City was adopted,
and the bill passed.
The national currency bill came up in its
order. The question being on the finance
to be amended by Mr.. Pomeroy, by the in
sertion of provision exempting from State
tax that portion of the capital invested in
or based on U. s. bonds. The amendment
was rejected-2S to IL.
Senate adjourned.
HoUsE.--Mr. Highly, of California, Of the
select committee on the charges against
Mr.. Blair, of Missouri, moved that the evil
dence be printed.
Mr.. McClurg reminded the House that
when the report was made he waived his
remarks in order that the tax bill might be
acted on. He regretted that the militai y
member Blair was not now present. This
military member had the audacity to attack
the four radical members from Missouri In
| q clandestine manner, and made personal
illusions against them, that he Blair new
| er uttered In his printed speech.
| The speaker reminded the gentleman fir n
Missouri McClurgl that his remarks were
not in order.
On motion of Mr.. Stevens, Mr.. McClurg
had permission to proceed. He denied that
he had made direct charge against the
military member Blairl of liquor specu-
lation. The latter could not control his
vindictive character, and said that Mr..
Powers was treasury agent, which was
| not fact; nor was MIR. Bonner treasury
| dBOh1 uIth eomO Wcch5 diIcI Ihc lIVuOT
transaction.
| He (McClerg) was a great admirer of
Secretary Chase, whom he compared to an
ironclad, plated with six inch iron, and the
Individual lBlair) pursuing him to Major
General firing paper wads from pop gun,
and the sentinel not aroused from his slum-
Der.
Mr.. Clay, of Kentucky. from the select
committee, reminded the gentleman (Mc-
Clerg) that there was nothing in the evil
dence to show that MIR. Blair was engaged
In whisky speculation.
Mr. McClerg said the military member
and the eight officers OF his staff, who signed
the original order, were cognizant OF the
TACT that 1t had been altered: They were
not only morally but legally bound by the
act OF the 1orger, Powers, VINO was the
agent. lie repeated they ratified the act,
and it would not do now to repudiate the
act OF their agent.
lie was satisfied that the public would
come to similar conclusion.
MT. HigDy maintained that the charge OF
criminality against the treasury officials
was not sustained by the fact.
Mr. Clay, q member OF the select COM
mittee, said Mr.. Blair was completely .ex-
honerated from the charges against him,
but he did not agree with the gentleman
lHigbyI as to the treasury officers He
concluded by saying that Powers was the
forger, and Bonner furnished him with the
work.
Inc report ana evidence was ordered TO
be printed.
Mr.. Dawes, OF Mass- offered resolution
calling upon the President to communicate
to the House copies OF all letters, notes, tel
egrams, orders and other documents which
are referred TO Ill his message OF yesterday,