Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-01-07
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, January 8.

~
HOUSE.
A committee Of nine was appointed to
consider the expedienoy Of constructing q
railroad between New York and Washing
ton for postal and other purposes.
Mr.. Farnsworth, from the Military Com
nittee, reported q joint resolution, extend
ing the bounties heretofore paid from jan
usry 9th to March 1st.
The PostOfice Appropriation Bill was
considered.
Mr. Washburn, Of Illinois, denounced
the Railroad Companies ss swindling the
Government, and advocated new line be-
tween Washington and New York.
Mr.. Stevens was not prepared to de-
nounce the Railroad Companies, because
he knew nothing Of them
Mr.. Pruyn, Of New York, replied to
Mr.. WsshburD, protesting against the
wholesale denuncistion of the Railroad
Companies, because q few Of them, in the
opinion of Mr.. Wsshburl, had attempted
to swindle the Government.
Mr.. Brooks offered few remarks TO
show that he had just as much right to ask
an Investigation OF the railroad stoppings
recently in Illinois, on account Of the
weather, as the gentleman had TO demand
an investigation Of similar stoppings be-
tween Washington and New York. The
bill was then passed.
Mr.. Dawes, Of Massachusetts, from the
Committee on Elections, reported bill
fxina-a uniform time for holding the cleo
tions for Representatives. in Congress, and
enabling soldiers TO vote for said othcers,
which was ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Dawes, on behalf Of the Committee
on Elections, and Mr.. Stevens, on behalf Of
the Committee on Ways and Means, OBJ
tained permission for these two Commit
tees to sit during the session Of the House.
Mr.. Fsrnsworth's Joint Resolution
passed unanimously to q third reading,
that the bounties heretofore paid under
the regulation of the War Department to
men enlisted for three years or during the
war, shall continue to be paid from the
5th of January to the lst Of March next.
This resolution to be in force after its
passage.
After its passage, on motion Of Mr..
Woodbridge, the Committee on Military
| Affairs was instructed to inquire into the
expedieney Of including in the draft now
ordered by the President, those Who vol
unteered for the nine months service, and
report by bill or otherwise.
The House went into Committee Of the
Whole on the state Of the Union.
The Presidents Message being under
consideration, Mr.. Arnold spoke Of the
destruction of slavery as necessary to the
restoration Of the national unity, and the
salvation Of the country.
Mr.. Powell made an anti-slsvery speech.
The House then adjourned.
SENATE.
johnson presented petition from the
Friends Of Maryland, Vermont and Vir-
ginia, asking exemption from military
| duty, also petition from Susan ". Hatch
of Maryland, praying for compensation
for the slaves owned by her, and which have
been taken by the military, and for which
pay was disallowed on sooount Of her hus
band. Referred TO the committee on
claims.
On motion Of Mr.. Anthony the Senate
proceeded to the election Of the seleei
committee on the Pacific Railroad. HI
nominated Mr.. Howard IS chairman, snC
as members of the committee, Collsmer
Johnson, Harlan, Trumbull, Sherman
Morgan, Conness and Brown, who Wert
elected.
Mr.. Howard submitted the following res
olution, which was objected to and lait
over:
Resolved, That the Committee on tn
Judiciary be instructed to consider thu
propriety of repeating the joint resolution
ton Of the SS0Sniliscati6HH cont 2aSH, aha 'PgftIcd
larly so much Of said joint resolution q
purports to prohibit the forfeiture Of rea
estate beyond the natural life Of the Of
fender.
Mr.. Wilson reported from the Militar.
Committee the act to amend the enrolling
act; also, the bill to extend the time 70
paying the bounty to volunteers.
The Senate then proceeded to the cor
sideration Of the bill of Mr.. Powell to pre-
vent officers Of the army and navy or oths
persons engaged in the military servic
from interfering with the elections |
States
Mr.. Grimes opposed the reference Of h
Bill to the judiciary Committee on Ii
ground that it related to officers in the
military capacity.
Mr.. Powell contended for the referenC
Of the Bill to the Judiciary Committee 1
it protected the freedom Of the electiJ
. franchise. In the States the evil sougl
, to be remedied was Of startling import
: every freeman. Elections have been ca
r ried against the will Of a majority Of u
| people at the point Of the bsyonet.
Mr.. Davis favored the reference Of Il
Bill to the Judiciary Committee, as it L
s troduced the question whether certain &C
:, performed By military men shall be civ
offence.
/ The Senate refused to refer the Bill
/ the Judiciary Committee by vote Of
to 16.
Mr.. Powell moved for q recOnsideratit
p of the vote. A lengthy debate then e
sued, in which Lane Of Indiana, Pow
r, and Davis Of Kentucky, and Wilson
9 Massachusetts participated.
e Mr.. PoWelps Bill was then referred
d the Committee on Military Affairs.
On motion Of Mr. Grimes the bill
prevent officers in naval and military sc
vice from interfering with elections
rebel States, was referred to the Comm
u tee on Military affairs.
The Senate then received the House b
T. extending bounties to volunteers, viii
was passed to the second reading.
q Adiournad