Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-02-18
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, Feb, II.


Mr.. CONFESS called up the bill amen
datory of and supplementary to an act
to provide Circuit Courts for California
and Oregon, which after being amended
was adopted.
Mr.. Collamer reported back from the
Committee on Post Offices and Roads, a
bill regulating railroads in New jersey,
and moved that the subject be referred
to the Judiciary Committee, as u pre-.
sented grave questions of conflict be-
tween the Government and that state
Considerable debate arose on this mo-
ton. After debate the bill was laid on
the table.
Mr. Davis introduced bill to ascer-
tain losses of loyal States during the
war. Referred to the Committee on
Claims
Bill reviving the grade of Lieutenant
General was called up by Mr.. wilson,
from the Military Committee, with the
amendments adopted by the Military
Committee.
These amendments strike out the
House clause authorizing the Lieutenant
General to command armies OF the
United States; also the clause recon-
mending Gen. Grant for that position
Long debate ensued.
Mr. CONFESS proposed to amend SO
that Lit. Gen. shall be General in Chlel
of armies under the direction of the
President, and shall remain in CHIEF
command during the pleasure OF the
President. Without coming TO Vote
the Senate adjourned.
-...- HOUSE.
A bill was passed appropriating l2,O0t
dollars to rebuild the Presidents stable
which was destroyed by fire last night
On motion of Mr. Chandler, the Select
Committee on a railroad between New
York and Washington was Instructed 70
inquire into the expediency OF furnish
ing additional railroad facilities for the
transportation of troops between the two
cities.
The House went into Committee o.
the Whole on the enrolment bill.
The amendment to draft persons OF Ar
rican decent to constitute part OF th'
National forces was discussed, involving
the question of compensation to loya
owners. During the debate Mr.. Fernan
do Wood said the Confederate Congress
was now debating propositions OF peace
while we here were legislating in viola
ton of the Constitution.
Mr.. Cox favored peace propositions
and believed if Mr.. Fernando Wood
were sent on mission to Richmond
peace would be restored in sixty days.
Mr.. Smith, of KY, said he was the
last man to treat with the rebels, who
must lay down their arms.
An amendment by Mr. Davis was
agreed to, providing for the appoint
| ment of q Commissioner to each Slave
State represented in Congress, to award
| Just compensation, not exceeding S30o
to each loyal owner of any slave who
volunteers, payable out of Communication
money, when the master frees the slave
Mr. Baldwin moved to substitute the
words persons to whom the coloreo
volunteer owes service" for "the owner
| of any slave" Agreed to.
Mr. Broomall offered a proviso thai
this section shall not apply to any con
gressional district if the representative
of the same shall expressly ask that thu
slaves of his district be exempted from
the draft, letting it fall more heavily OF
white men, Disagreed to.
Mr.. Webster offered an amendmen
that the bounty Of three hundred dol
lars now payable for each drafted maj
shall be paid to the person to whom
each drafted person owes service, OF
freeing the person. Agreed to.
The debate continued at great length
Finally Mr.. Stevens amendment, a
amended by Messrs. Davis end Webster
was agreed to.
Various propositions were considere
and disposed OF.
The Committee rose and reported tn
amendments to the House.
Mr. Schenck offered substitutes Whlc
include the above.
The amendments were ordered TO
printed, together with the bill a
amended.
Adjourned,