Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-02-15
CONGRESSIONAL.
XXXYIIIth COngrcss.--First Session.
WASHINGTON. February Is.

ASHIhGTONs FEBRUARY ID. u
SEYArE.-A resolution of thanks to
Gen. Sherman, his officers and men,
passed.
On motion of Mr., Wilson, the Senate
resolution equalizing the pay of soldiers
was taken up
A report Of the Secretary of War, in
answer to a resolution relative to Off
GERS commutation for quarters and fuel,
was received. 1t shows that there are
5S7 officers here drawing such commuta-
ton now-9 Major Generals, Is Briga-
der Generals, 81 Colonies, Lieutenant
Colonies, "A Majors, % Captains, 43
Lieutenants, l6 Surgeons, II Assistant
Surgeons, and 10 Paymasters.
Mr.. Howell presented memorial from
the Milwaukee Chamber OF Commerce,
representing that within a few months
more than $25, 100000 have been raised
and awaiting egress, and asking aid in
the construction of a wagon road, with
military protection, through Central Min
nesota. Referred.
On motion of Wilson, the Senate pro-
ceeded to the consideration of a bill
equalizing the pay of u S. soldiers.
Connis withdrew his amendment con-
ferring the benefits to hose in the SER
vice at the time of the passage Of the
amendment
Sumner offered an amendment pro-
viding that in cases where the Secretary
of War shall be satisfied that persons Of
color have been mustered into the SER
vice of the United States, at the rate OF
Sl3 per month, they shall be paid at that
rate for previous services
Grimes hoped the Senator would With
draw his proposition and that from this
time forward every soldier was to have
the same pay. He hoped the bill would
be allowed to stand on its merits, with
out making a retrospective -
Wilson moved to strike out the clause
in the bill, giving colored troops the
same pay, &c, except county, during the
whole time they have been in the ser
vice. ~ F. 81 e
The amendment offered by Wilson
was adopted equalizing the pay eff col
ored troops and extending the provis
ion of the,bill to give them 50 addition
al month from the first of January
1864
An amendment was offered by .Dooit
tie deducting four dollars a month from
their pay for supporting their families
which is under discussion. g. b Ui ~
Sumner would not withdraw his amend
ment withoutrexplaining that its pfoyis
ions apply only to few regiments, ant
there would be no great draft on tn,
treasury. w. E.st
johnson in reply to Sumner said if ti.'
black men of Maryland were as COED a.
those enlisted elsewhere. why take ex
ceptions if justice was done according t
the views of the Senator IRON Mass
Some 100000 would be taken from tn
treasury, or as he understood it, abou
: $l,000,00a, all should be paid alike
Why did Massachusetts, pay her troop
herself?
Fessenden said he had understoo
that it had been offered but the eolore
troops refused to take it.
! Wilson explained the circumstance
D under which the colered troops fror
e Massachusetts had refused to receiv
a their pay They held the Governmer
h to. its pledges made to them, and wanse
o the full pay of thirteen dollars pc
month, or else discharged from the Sc
= vice. 10 ra oor on
): johnson said, then they were colore
, gentlemen Of extraordinary sensibilit
k Grimes said, from the very outset /
was in favor of putting negro troops G
r an equality with the whites. JE'gE
n Sumner said that in . public speed
d he had said he was in favor of carrYiu
n the war into Africa; he was now in
y vor of carrying the Africans into IL
Is war atI5-E I =
Grimes was not only in favor of ca
rying the African into the war, but f
= paying him Sl3 per month, and placil
. him on footing with all other soldier
II we are going back to pay these c.
N ored troops from Massachusetts, why n
If pay those in Tennessee2T He was
q formed that about thirty regiments we
IN there. III a04sAF
ne Sumner proposed a proviso, that
IL all cases of past services of color
ed troops, where it shall appear to the sat
el faction of the Secretary Of War from t
actual papers of enlistment, that t
en- troops were enlisted under the Act
July, 1861, they shall be allowed t
III pay promised by that act. This was
III jected-yeas Is, nays 81
re Cowen offered a substitute for the
he as amended. That from and after t
passage of this act, all soldiers of t
ct, United States, of the same arm of t
service, shall receive like compensate
ief Cowen supported the amendment
he some length, claiming that the neg
ter must be regarded as citizen under
lis Constitution, as he received the prot
ras ton of the laws. 7i II .nat
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