The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-03-24
Thirty Eighth Congress.

Thirty Eighth Congress.
WARRINGTON. March 1S.-HoUsE
Julian spoke favorably Of the bill re
ported by him to extend the principles
of the Homestead law to persons il
the military and naval service on con
fiscated and forfeited lands. aa, s..
The House proceeded to the con
sideration ofthe Senate bill to facilitate
entries to soldiers under the Home
stead bill. Adjourned.
SENATE.-The House bill to pro
vide for carrying mails to foreign
ports was called up, and after amend
ments was passed. arE N".
On motion of Wilson the Senat.
proceeded to the consideration of the
Senate bill to promote enlistments and
for other purposes. He made 2
speech in support of his amendment
to the ~iginal bill as substitute for it.
which frees the wives and children OF
colored recruits. The other portion Of
the original bill had been provided
for in past legislation. '1-' ..'o' "a'".
Considerable debate ensued on this
amendmen. and another giving COM
pensation to loyal masters.
The above Senate bill amendment
to the Homestead pill passed.
Without disposing ofthe enlistment
bill the Senate agreed to adjourn until
Monday and went into executive SEES
sion. t#.n J "-
A petition was presented from citi-
zens of Brooklyn that rebel lands be
confscated and divided into parcels
of leo acres for distribution among
soldiers. Referred. ,.-.. .,..
Grimes resolution amending the
rules so as 10 require all action upon
nominations to be made in open scs-
sion was referred to the Judiciary
Committee. "t. @
WAsHISaroN, March 10. -IIoUsE.-To.
day the house devoted to speech-making.
Mr.. Arnold, of Ills, spoke of recon- strnct.
ton, saying that liberty is the corner stone,
and Abraham Lincoln the architect.
Mr.. Wilson, of Iowa, advocated an amend
ment to the Constitution, declaring that
slavery being Incompatible with a repub
lican Government, is abolished thro'out
the United States. He argued that they
were bound to destroy slavery in order to
establish domestic tranquility AMI secure
the blessings of liberty to all men subject to
our laws. He concluded by saying that
liberty must be established on the tomb of
slavery.
Mr.. Wilder made speech in favor o.
conducting the war as if against foreign
nation. Adjourned.
After the presentation Of various memo
rails, Wilson called up the bill to promote
emil stments.
Davis offered an amendment similar to
the one heretofore rejected. allowing the
district courts to appoint commissioners to
make valuation and award to loyal owners
a just compensation for slaves taken under
the provisions of the bill.
The morning hour having expired, Doc.
little called up the bill to regulate Indian
affairs in California. n nt
Davis resumed his speech on his amend
ment to the enlistment bill. Ea
After the presentation Of petit;on &c,
the bill promoting enlistments was taken
up.
A motion to recommit was lost, four to
twenty-five.
Wilson modified his amendment 50 az to
read after the word wife or the woman re.
cognized as such. He also withdrew the
second section giving compensation to loyal
owners.
Davis offered an amendment that U. s.
District Courts shall appoint three COM
missioners to ap ,ralse and award compen.
sation to loyal owrers Of slaves freed by
this BILL
Davis advocated his amendm emit, claim
ing that the bill was unconstitutional, in.as
much as the government under it's provisions
would take property without giving any
compensation 20 its owner.
Wilson favored the bill as ono Of tho in
struments to work out emancipation, and
should te for it, deeming it necessity.
After long discussion, without action,
tho Senate went into executive session and
subsequently adjourned.
WASHINGTON, March 21.-HousE. Holmes
from the Committee on claims reported re-
solution setting forth that certain public
lands have been donated to the Illinois Gen.
trail Railroad, the Burlington and Missouri
River, and the Missouri and Mississippi COM
panies. on condition thew would transport
mails and troops of the United States free !;
and whereas, the first road has received
1852. 900, the second $50 900. and the third
a small amount for transportation of troops,
&C., therefore,
Resolved, that the Secretary of War be
directed to require the said companies to
refund the money so paid and that hereafter
no such payment be made-Passed.
Demont of Indiana introduced bill pro.
viding that all bonds, obligations and under
takings, whether sealed or unsealed here