Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-02-11
Procccdiags Of Congress.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4,
SENATE.


Various petitions and memorials were
presented.
On motion Of Mr.. Wilson the joint
resolution equalizing the pay of soldiers
in the United States army was taken up
Mr.. Wilson explained at length the
grievances suffered by the colored
troops.
Messrs. Fessenden and CONFESS oppos-
ed any retrospective legislation in be-
half of the colored troops,
Mr.. CONFESS introduced an amendment
placing the colored troops on similar
footing with the white troops after the
passage of this act. q. f.
The debate was continued at conside-
rable length.
On motion of Mr.. Fessenden the Rev.
enue Bill was taken up.
Mr.. Hendricks moved an amendment
inserting 40 cents per gallon instead
of 20 cents on liquors distilled and sold
or removed for consumption or sold after
July LIST, 1864, and 40 cents instead of
80 cents, after January LIST, 1865 He
supported his amendment at length.
Mr.. Fessenden replied; he said we
SDOuiu tdA W oDiilu GCNttuO
cording to what it would bear, and the
tax would fall on the consumer of liquor
wherever it was used,
Mr.. Hendricks amendment was re-
jected.
Mr.. Doolittle moved to recommit the
bill with instructions to report proviso
taxing liquors on hand prior to July
LIST, twenty cents per gallon. Rejected,
IA against 80. .....
Resolution adopted requesting the
President to furnish the correspondence
relative to the reciprocity treaty with
the Sandwich Islands.
Resolution adopted instructing the
Secretary of the Interior to sell all the
public books and documents in his pos
session.
The bill as amended by the Finance
Committee was then passed.
After an Executive Session the Senate
adjourned till Monday.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Stevens reported bill making
appropriations for the construction,
preservation and repair of Notifications
and defences for the year ending June,
1865.
Mr. Kasson introduced bill relating
to the capture of cotton and the dispo-
sition thereof. Referred to the Commit
tee of Ways and Means.
The Printing Committee reported in
favor of printing ten thousand copies of
the foreign correspondence, for the use
of the State Department.
Mr.. Davis of Md, and Mr. Pomeroy
advocated the resolution, as important
to enlighten foreign nations, but not our
own countrymen.
Messrs. Washburne of Illinois, Stevens
and others opposed it.
The resolution passed, there being but
Is days.
The House resumed the consideration
of the amendatory confiscation BILL
Mr. Woodbridge argued in favor of re-
straining the persons of rebels, and con-
fiscating their property.
Mr.. Cox of Ohio moved to lay the res
olution on the table.
The motion was disagreed to, by II
against S3.
Mr.. Kassan made a speech, opposing
the passage of the resolution, and the
confiscation act.
Mr.. WILDER made a speech, advocating
the resolution, which proposed to do
only what the Constitution authorized.
He expressed his surprise that the ex-
pressed lovers of the Constitution OPP
posed the measure, its object being justly
to punish traitors who ought not to be
shielded, and who were not to be paci-
fed with olive branches aud honeyed
words.
A resolution was adopted, calling on
the Secretary af the Navy for the report
Of the Advisory Board of 1852, with all
accompanying documents, instructions,
testimony, memorials, protests, &C., con-
nected Herewith.
On motion of Mr. Noble, the Commit
tee on Pensions were instructed to con-
slider the propriety of giving bounty
lands to all soldiers of the present war.
Mr. WILDER of Iowa considered contis-
cation as the living law of the land and
therefore was not before the House.
Mr.. Pendleton moved to reconsider the
vote by which the previous question
was ordered on the passage Of reso-
lutions.
This motion was laid upon the table
by two majority q.
The Speaker then announced the ques-
ton to be on the passage of the joint
resolution.
Mr.. Worries moved to adjourn.
Mr.. Craven moved the House adjourn
till Monday.
This and other motions, evident
ly designed to prevent action on
the confscation resolutions, occupied
more than an hour votes being taken
by yeas and nays.
At quarter of five Mr.. Davis of Ind,
moved to adjourn till tomorrow. Car
ried. Adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.
HOUSE.
The House refused to adjourn till Mon
day, and then proceeded to vote on Mr..
Holman's motion to table the resolution
amendatory of the confiscation act Mr..
Holman's motion was disagreed to, "
against so,