The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-02-13

Committee various bills to amend the Con-
stitutiOn, and an amendment by way Of a
of slavery through State legislation.
On motion Of Mr.. TRUMBULL, the
Senate proceeded to consider the bill pro-
hibiting the Members of Congress, Heads
Of Bureaus, and others from acting as at
torneys except III purely Judicial cases be-
fore Civil Courts.
After long debate Mr.. COWAN moved
to strike out members of Congress Yeas
% nays Ii.
The bill provides that no member of the
! Senate or House or any head OF DEPART
inent shall receive compensation, direct
~ or indirectly, for service in any pro-
ceedngs in which the United States il in
| tereSted. Any such person offending
/ shall be fined 81 600, or else be imprisoned
two years, and be forever ncapaciated
from holding any Office under the Govern
ment.
The bill equaiizng the pay of soldiers
was taken up. The pending motion being
on striking out the section giving colored
soldiers the same pay as white soldiers.
Mr.. SUMNER argued in favor OF the
bill
| Mr.. TRCMBTLL from the Judiciary
Committee, reported back the substitution
for the joint resolution of Mr.. Henderson,
proposed amendments to the Constitution
a, follows: First, neither slavery nor in
voluntary servitude, except as u punish
ment for crime, shall exist in the United
states, nor any place subject to their iuris-
diction. Congress shall have power to en-
! force the article by legislation.
| Mr.. TRU MBULL from the Judiciary
Committee, reported adversely on the pro-
| posed amendments to the Constitution, by
Mr.. Sumner, by making all men free be-
fore the law, so that no man can hold an
other in bondage.
Mr. CLARK iptroduco1 a hill ra+ifvinr
the Presidents Proclamation, of January
LIST, 1858, and giving it the force of a statute.
Referred to the Slavery and Freedmen
| Committee.
Mr.. BROWN submitted an amendment
to the Enrolment bill, confirming the
Emancipation proclamation, abolishingsla-
very throughout the country and subject
ing colored men to enrolment and draft.
Executive session. Adjourned.
HOUsE.-The House proceeded to the
consideration of the bill to establish a Blu
reau Of Frecdmen's Affairs.
Mr.. ELLIOTT, of Mass, explained the
bill, saying its passage was demanded less
its effect on the pecuniary interests Of the
Government.
No action was had on the bill.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Mass, presented the cre-
dentials Of Jas. NJ. Johnson, from Newark.
Mr.. DAVIS, of Md, moved to lay them
on the table, pending which the House
went into Committee of the Whole on the
Enrolment bill. The Enrolment bill was
discussed for the remainder OF the session.
The Committee were for long time en-
gagged on the section cxempting members
OF religious denominations who are consci-
entiousiy opposed to bearing arms. from
service III the field, but assigning them to
look after Freedmen.
During the debate Mr. DEMING. Of
in the country, and If they were exempted
from the draft there would be Il revival
among the nOn-resistants.
Mr.. J. c. ALLEN, of Ill, moved to amend
by striking out the reference to religious
denominations and making the section APP
ply to all persons conscentiously opposed
TO bearing arms.
Mr.. Alien ) motion was disagreed to.
Mr.. ALLEN then moved to strike out
the section. This was decided in the neg
ative by one majority. Therefore il sub
stantiaily stands as on the original motion,
Mr.. GANSON offered an amendment
that the proceedings Of the writ of Habeas
Corpus shall not be suspended in the case
of alleged minors who may be enlisted.
This amendment was rejected.
MIR. STEVENS offered an amendment
that persons of African descent, between
~ ana - years OF age, whether citizens
of the United States or not, shall be enlist
ed and form a part of the national forces
and when slave shall be drafted and mus
tered into the service. the master shall re-
ceive certificate for $780, and the drafted
man shall be free.
An animated debated ensued. The Com
mittee, without voting, adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Feb. ll.-SENArE-Mr
CONFESS called up the bill amendatorv
to an act to provide Circuit Courts for
California and Oregon. After amendment
il was adopted.
Messrs. Sprague, of Rhode Island. Nor
gan, of New York, Biddle OF Delaware.
Williams, of Minnesota, and Hendricks,
OF indiana, constitute the Committee on
Manufactures. as recently revised.
A bill 10 ascertain the losses Of ioyal
States during the war, was referred to the
Committee on Claims.
The bill revising the grade of Lieutenant
General. was called up by Mr.. WILSON.
from the Military Committee, with the
amendments by Mr.. Milliman. These
amendments strike out the House clause
authorizing the Lieut.. General to COM
mand the armies of the United States
Also. clause recommending Gen. Grant
for that position. A long debate ensued.-
The Committee proposed to amend. SO that
the Lieutenant General shall be General
in-Chiet Of the Armies, under the direction
OF the President, and shall remain in chief
VIZ lux VIC Oh ln6 ffe-
sident. Without coming TO vote the SEN
ate adjourned.
The House went into Committee Of the
Whole on the Enrolment Bill. The
amendment to draft persons Of African de-
scent to constitute part Of the national
forces, was discussed, and also the cues
ton of compensation toloya! owners.
During the debate. FERNANDO WOOD
said the Confederate Congress was now de-
batting propositions of peace, while here
we were legislating in violation of the Con-
stitution.
Mr.. COX favored peace propositions, and
believed if Mr.. Wood were sent on mis-
sion to Richmond, peace would be restored
in sixty days.
Mr.. SMITH, of KY, said he was the last
man to treat with the rebels. They must
lay down their arms, and yield to the Gov
ernmentfunconditiona
The House will. resume the consideration
of the Enrolment Bill, and endeavor to
pass it before the adjournment tomorrow.
An amendment by Mr.. DAVIS was ar
gued, providing for the appointment Of a
Commissioner to each Slave State repre-
scented in Congress, to award Just compen-
sation. not exceeding $500 to each loyal