The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1864-03-17
Congress-.

business. AN act 10 dmenQ the Clty
Incorporation act was passed. The
Pacific Railroad Committee were in
structed to report upon the propriety
of building road from Lawrence to
Fort Leavenworth. A bill was intro
duced for the better organization ofthe
Quartcrmaster's Department. Mr.. Pow-
ellis resolution calling for the report
and evidence of the commission to IN
vestigate charges against certain army
officers in the West was discussed at
length, but not voted upon. The bill
to promote enlistments was discussed
by Mr.. Brown of Mo-, and laid aside.
The bill to equalize the pay Of soldiers
was discussed, and laid over. Adj
journed. all sss
HoUsE.-Mr. Kasson presented res
olutions ofthe Iowa Legislature in favor
of soldiers, who have been discharged
in consequence of wounds or disabili'
ties, being employed in situations which
they are competent to fill under the
Federal Government, and heartily in
dorcing the policy of paying soldiers
and sailors of African descent the same
as is given to whites for similar service.
Referred to the Military Committee.
The House went into Committee on the
Senate amendments to the Deficiency
Bill, and agreed to the amendment for
medicine and medical attendance for
negro refugees or contrabands, $35 900,
and rejected the pending amendment
thereto restricting the expenditure to
those who are or shall be actually in
the service. The House concurred in
the larger number of the Senate's
amendments, including thirty millions
for transportation and eighteen millions
and half for regular supplies OF the
Quartermaster's Department. Owing
to disagreement on other amend
ment, the bill will be returned to the
Senate. The House resumed the con.
sideration of the Gold bill. An amend
ments requiring the consent of each of
the Executive Departments before gold
can be sold, wos rejected. The amend.
ment to advertise every sale five days
was lost 40 to &c. The next vote was
on the proposition to use surplus gold
to pay soldiers in the field. This was
laid aside and Mr.. Boutwell's substi.
tute "authorizing the Secretary to an
ticipate payment Of interest on the
public debt, with or without debate Of
interest upon the coupons, as he may
deem expedient," was adopted, and
then the bill, as amended, passed-9O
to "a. Mr.. Schenck called up his bill
to drop from the Army rolls all Major
and Brigadier Generals who may, on
the 18th inst, remain unemployed, OF
be in employment not appertaining tc
their rank. A long discussion ensued
The bill was finally made the specia
order for Tuesday next. The Senate
bill to establish uniform Ambulance
system passed the House with Sigh
amendments. The bill increasing tht
rank and pay of the Provost Marshal
General to that of Brigadier Genera
was adopted. The bill providing thai
Chaplains shall not suffer diminution O
pay when absent on leave, sick, OF pris
oncrs, was passed. 1t also gives then
apension of $40 month when disable d
A bill giving soldiers and sailors home
steads on confiscated lands was report
ed and recommitted. Adjourned
SENATE, March. lO.-A bill wa
passed giving the franking privilege IL
the President and President. Mr.
Sumner reported bill enacting tha
the Emancipation Proclamation of Jan
l, 1868, is and shall be a statute of tn,
United States. The amendment of Mr.
Sherman to the House bill, authorizing
the Secretary of the Treasury to anti
cipate the payment of the interest o.
the public dobt, providing for the sal,
of the surplus gold on hand, came VI
in the special order. Mr.. Sherman ex
planned the effect of the amendment
Mr.. Hendricks opposed it, and moved
to amend by directing the Secretary tc
sell the surplus gold at auction aftel
five days notice in Washington ant
New-York papers. The subject wa
postponed until tomorrow Mr.. Pom
eroy spoke on the Equaiizing, in tn,
course of which he announced the, au
thenticity of the "Chase Circular" ant
set forth the policy for which those h,
represented desired to contend. TIL,
bill to equalIze the pay of soldiers wa
finally passed-3l to 6. The bill grant
ing lands to aid tie building of rail
road from st. Paul to Lake Superior
was passed. Adjourned.
HoUsE.-The House unanimousl,
passed the bill increasing the pensions
of Reyolutionary pensioners, l2 in mum
Der, 800 additionalper annum, to ceas,
at their death. Mr.. Arnold reported ;
bill for the construction of ship cana
for the passage Of armed and naval yes
sells from the Mississippi River into the
Northern lakes. AS it provides for The
issue of thirteen millions of bonds, i
was regarded as in the nature of an ap
preparation bill, and therefore under tn.
rules, it was decided that the bill mus
receive its first consideration in Com
mittee of the Whole. Mr.. Arnold in
troduced bill of appropriations fol
harbors on the Northern lakes and
Western rivers. Referred. A bill t.
abolish the Court of Claims was refer
red. John L. Burns, the gray headed
| volunteer at Gettvshurp (where he wa,