Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-05-02
Saturday Evenings Report.

WAsHINaroE, April 80.
SENATE.

SENATE.
The House bill for the relief Of settlers
on land claims in California, was, on mo-
ton Of Mr.. Harding, taken up and passed.
The Senate bill granting lands for rail-
road purposes in Minnesota, as amended
by the House, was passed.
The Senate then resumed the national
bank bill and the amendment Of the FL
nance Committee, taxing banks, was
adopted.
The Currency bill was reported to the
Senate, and its further consideration was
deferred until Monday.
The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE
Mr.. Garfield, of Ohio, introduced the
resolution to which Mr.. Ancons objected
yesterday, and in which he, Garfield,
quoted the following remark, heretofore
made by Blair, Of Missouri, 10 the effect
that Chase is making use Of the income
from abandoned plantations to carry out
the programme Of the Pomeroy Circular,
sc. The resolution was for Committee
Of Inquiry into the charges made against
the Treasury Department. The resolution
was adopted.
The Speaker announced the following
gentlemen as the Committee: Garfield,
Wilson, Brooks, Davis, Stuart, Dawson,
Jackson and Steele.
Mr.. Stevens Of Pennsylvania, reported
from the Committee on Ways and Means
the Senate amendments to the Army APP
preparation bill. Among the amendments
was one which WAS adopted sppropristing
S45, 600 for the purchase Of artificial limbs
for soldiers and sailors.
The next Senate amendment was read
in which the Committee on Ways and
Means recommended a concurrence, as
follows: That colored persons enlisting
into the military service, shall receive the
same uniform, clothing, rstions, medical
and hospital attendance and emoluments
as white soldiers, from and after the 1st Of
June, 1864, and any person of color here
after mustered into the service shall re-
oeive bounty not exceeding 500. Con-
siderable debate ensued.
Mr.. Clay, Of Kentucky, said that the
property of his constituents had been
stolen from the plantations, not only ne
groes but stock and every thing else. The
negroes, however valuable, were taken
into the military service, while the useless
slaves and women and children are sup
ported at the expense of the Government
without a particle of law. The Govern
ment protected the officers in stealing ne.
groes. He knew it to be true. He had
suffered himself. To the truth he would
swear on account Of justice. He asked
ior nothing but what the law and Consti-
tuition gave him, and when these rights
were trsmpled under foot he would raise
his voice against it.
Mr.. Elliott said he understood the gen
tleman from Kentucky to charge that the
Government officers had stolen negroes.
Did the gentleman say tn .t2 He had yet
to learn that any such statement rested on
the truth.
Mr.. Clay answered. do.
Mr.. Elliott denied the statement that
negroes had been stolen by our officers.
Mr.. Clay said that thousands Of contra
bands were dying in camp Of diseases
never described or imagined; they we're
rOttiRg in filth.
Mr.. Elliott said it had been his Wsrmest
wish that the Freedmsn's Bureau should
be organized to avoid these very diff
eulties.
Mr.. Clay, resuming, said, each mortality
was in the result Of your system. You
care no more for q negro than you do for
horse. You are purchasing these negroes
with bounties 10 save white men. My
patience is worn out would rather be
than a robber stealing all over
the country.
Mr.. Holman asked are we prepared to
place by solemn legislation the black upon
the same footing with the white soldier.
Gentlemen you have got this question to
meet
Mr.. Stevens said the question was
whether the soldiers who who wore the
livery Of the Union and marched under it's
banner in common with the army Of the
Union, and exposed themselves to battle
and death, should be placed on an equal
footing, or whether we we're to keep up an
unjust distinction. He dispised such an
unjust distinction between troops in the
day of death and battle. Why should they
not be paid and clothed alike. History
showed that they had fought as gallantly
and as brsvely as the white men
at their side, and yet this infamous
and defrsuding distinction. was to
be kept up. Let not the nation for
a moment sanction IT, Let it not 20 forth
as the opinion Of this body that the black
and red men are not to be treated like
other men who perriled alike their lives in
their country's defence. He admired the
conduct Of the 54th Massachusetts, who
refused to take the $40 per month, and
who marched from their own soil with a
msgnsnimity which would do credit to the
best man in Indiana.
Mr.. Holman offered an amendment to
increase the pay Of soldiers to $50 per