The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-01-13
xXXvIII oOKGREss---Tirss Session.

WASHINGTON, Jan. II.
Mr.. Howe introduced a communication from
the Governor of Wise onsin, with copy of a
petition addressed to the Legislature OF that
State by Mr. Blair and others, asking indem-
nifty from the United States for injury to per-
sons and property, in their efforts for the en-
iorcement of the CONSUMPTION law.
Mr.. Fessenden reported back from the FL
nance committee, without amendment, the
House bill continuing the bounties to March
1st, 1864. In connection with the subject he
presented a letter from the Secretary of the
Treasury, stating his inability to meet the
heavy drafts required by the bill in such
short space of time, and recommending an in
creased taxation, and said that as the commit
tee of Ways and Means in the Honse would
consider iatorably of the recommendation of
the Secretary, he hopedt the Senate would con-
cur with the House in extending the time TO
March LIST. The bill passed.
Mr.. Lane, OF Kansas, reported from the
Military committee the House bill, for the pay
ment OF officers and men actually employed
in the Department of Missouri.
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill authorizing
the appointment of I'd Assistant Secretary
of War.
A message was received from the President
in answer to the inquiry relative to the alleged
executions Of Kansas prisoners by the rebels,
transmitting letters from the Secretary of War
to the Commander-in- Chief of the army and
the Commssary General of prisoners.
Gen. Halleck says; 81 have no information
that the volunteers from the State of Kansas,
when taken prisoners of war, have been treat
ed by the enemy any different than volunteers
from any other State"
The joint resolution continuing bounties
heretofore paid has passed without amend
ment.
Mr.. Sumner modified his amendment to the
enrolment bill, providing that the Secretary
OF War shall apply the money received from
substitutes and otherwise, to the siagle object
Of procuring substitutes.
Mr.. Sherman opposed Mr.. Summers amend
ment to the enrolment bill. He considered
ii as special tax, which should be applied to
citizens whether drafted or not.
Mr.. Collamer commended that the govern
ment should, when a drafted man had paid his
communication money, furnish substitute.
Mr.. Sherman said the government wanted
soldiers, and the fear was at the War Depart
ment that while you could fill up the army now
you would exhaust the basis for future drafts
which the exigences of the service might de-
mand. He would amend the bill so that per-
sons drafted should subsequently take the
place of their substitute. He desired to retain
the communication clause, but would increase it
10 $500.
Mr.. Wilson was in favor OF the proposition
sttute who is thereafter drafted shall himself
take the substitutes place.
Mr.. Harris did not believe there was danger
of exhausting the basis of the draft six such
drafts could be made before this would be the
case. We have not reached the point when
we are reduced TO the extremity of taking
men forcibly from their families. We should
make the law as favorable as possible. The
Communication should be increased to 500 and
he intended to move to so amend the bill.
Mr.. Sumner said the Senator from Ohio had
objected to his proposition as an income tax.
The draft requires all persons to contribute
their strength and lives to the defence of the
republic, SO does the Communication. The law
now requires tax. He did not present his
amendment as tax bill but simply as meas
ure to equalize the draft.
Mr.. Doolittle said that every citizen owed
to his government for his protection, not only
his property but more than that, his personal
services.
At the instance of Mr. Wilson, Mr. Sumner
modified his amendment, rendering the per
centage Of tithes on incomes.
The amendment of Mr.. Sumner was reject
ed by vote of % TO 10.
Mr.. Grimes said he would like to know the
number OF colored soldiers enlisted, and
whether any attempt had been authorized to
enlist colored men in the border States.
Dir. Wilson stated that it was not in his
power TO answer the question definitely. He
understood that we had $4,000 colored soldiers
in the service, and that the number was in
creasing daily. We were doing well in Eas-
tern Virginia, Maryland, Missouri, East Ten
nessee, and other parts of the country.
Mr.. Anthony said he understood that free
colored men were not liable to the draft in
this district, and were not allowed to leave
the district.
Mr.. Wilson said he had heard of such CON-
plants. The authority by which they were
detained was assumed. There was no Justice
in it, and it should be abandoned He saw
the other day that the Mayor of Washington
appealed to the Secretary of War that the
colored men should not be allowed to go out
OF the city TO enlist.
Mr.. johnson said the Secretary of War APP
proved of it.
MI Wilson said whether the War Depart
ment approved of it or not, he disapproved of
it. While the Government can take the son
of the white man without his consent, we are
told that we can't go into the great State of
Kentucky and enlist slave against the will
OF his master.
Mr. Brown said he would enquire under
what authority the War Department pays for
the slaves.
Mr.. Wilson said he supposed it was on the
principle that eolored soldier was as valua-
BILE as white man, and besides, it promoted
Mr. johnson said the term slave was I'M
known in the Constitution, and yet slaves
were recognized as property under the Con-
stitution.
He learned that in Maryland, slaves had
been recruited, not only without their masters
consent but their own, and that enlisting of
ficers inform all the slaves on plantation, old
men, women and children that they are free.
1t was due to his own convictions, and TO the
people of Maryland, that he should protest
against this mode of getting the slaves of
Maryland into the armies of the United States.
He concurred in the remarks of the Senator
from New York, that it was not necessary to
increase the army more than the number pro-
posed, as the Southern States had now raised
all the men they could.
Without taking vote, the Senate went iuto
executive session. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
On motion OF Mr.. Washburne of Illinois,
the committee on Commerce were instructed
TO enquire into the expedency OF amending
the act of 1899, in regard to the admeasure-
ment OF vessels, and of law in punishment
OF masters and owners for changing the names
of their vessels and for similar fraudulent
practices, and also as to amending other acts
a