Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-02-16
Congressional Summary.

In the United States Senate on Thu rsday, the
Committee on Post Roads reported bill to re-
move disqualification on account of color in
carrying the mails, with an amendment de-
clarug that there shall be no exclusion of wit
nesses from the Courts of the United States on
account of color The bill in relation to rail-
roads in New Jersey was also reported back,
with a request that il be referred to the judiciary
Committee, but the Senate refused such refer
enep and il was laid on the table. bill from
the House nppropriaung $4,000 to rebuild the
Presidents stable was ooncurred in. An act to
indemnify the owner of the British schooner
Glen was passed The bill reviylng the grade
| Of Lieutenant General in the army was called
up, and the amendments striking out the clauses
authorizing the Lieutenant General to command
the armies of the United States and recommend
lug the appointment Of General Grant. were
discussed, but without coming to d vote the
Senate adjourned.
In the house OF Representatives Mr.. Chandler.
of New York, introduced resolution declaring
that the means Of railroad travel between New
York and Washington, and especially between
New York and Phladelphia, are uotoriously in
convenient, aud instruoing the select committee
on the subject to inquire into the expediency OF
increasing the facliuea for the transportation Of
troops between New York and Washington was
passed. The House then went into Committee
Of the Whole on the bill amendatOry of the EurOl-
providing for the appointment OF n commission
10 award just compensation, not exceeding
$500, to the loyal owners OF any slaves who may
enlist, which was passed An amendment that
the bounty OF Sl0O now payable to each drafted
man shall be paid TO the person to whom such
drafted person owes service, was adopted. The
bill was debated at great length, and theu the
Committee rose md reported it to the House,
with tho amendment. Without hciion the
House adjourned
lu the United States Senate on Friday, a re-
solution was adopted instructing the Judiciary
Committee to inquire into the expedieDcy OF sO
amending existing laws Hs to c0Dhne the jurs-
dictIon OF the Supreme Court to the considera-
tiOn Of questions OF law alone. The Committee
on ren.iOus reported in fovor Of granting pen
sion 10 John NJ. Burns, IN old citizen OF Getty
sburg, who took up bis musket and fought, and
was wouAded at the battle Of Gettysburg The
Senate was also engaged with ihe Deficiency
bill. The large amounts called for created con-
! Siderable debate.
In the House of Representatives on Friday,
: the Enrolment bill was fnally passed. The
Democrats resorted to dilAtory mott pns to pre-
vent final action, but finally aba ndoued the
effort The substitute offered by MIR Schenck.
aud which embl Rced the principal amendment
Z, 10 the Senate BILL adopted in Gem mittee of the
b Whole, was agreed to. On the final possage Of
the bill the vote was ayes 93, nays CO. The bill
J journed to Monday.
It The U. s. Senate was in session on Saturday
A memorial from the Milwaukee Chamber Of
Commerce representing that within few months
more than twenty five millions of dollars have
n been mined and are awaiting egross, and ask.
i ing aid in the construction of n wagon road
through central Minnesoti, was received. The
! bin equalizing the pay of U. S. soldiers was
taken up. Au amendment of Mr.. Wilson. fixing
# Jan. /, 1894 at the time when colored soldiers
= shall receive the same pay as white troops, was
adopted. The amendment OF Mr. poohttle, pro-
l.. vdng that three dollars per month shall be Ie-
! served from the monthly pay of colored troops
mustered into service in the insurrectionary
States to pay the expenses incurred in feeding
q and clothing the widows aud children Of the de
i ceased, vas rejected. Mr. Cowan submitted q
substitute that from and after the passage of the
act all soldiers Of the United States OF the same
arm of the service shall receive like eompeusa-
lion, pending the consideration of which the
Senate adjourned.