The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-01-07
THIRTY-EIGRTH CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.


Senate.
WASHINGTON, jan. Q, 1854.
FERMENTATION PEruIoxs.
Mr. Jonssos, (opp) OF Nd. presented petition from
the Friends Of Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania
asking exemption from military duty; also a petition
from Susan W. Hatch, OF Maryland, praying for com.
peDsatou for the slaves swned by hcr apd which had
ben taken BY the military, and for which payment was
d'saIowed on account Of her husband, which was re-
ferr.d 10 the Committee On Claims.
M. MORGAN, trep) OF ~ Y, presented petitions from
the society Of Friends praying for exemption.
COMMITTEE on Tiss PACIFIC RAILROAD.
On motion II Mr. Anthony. (rep.) of X tho Senate
proceeded 10 the elcctono the select Committee the
Pacific Railroad. Mr.. Anthony nominated Mr. Howard as
chairman. aud as members Of the committee. Messra
Conmer, johnson, arsn, Trumbnll, Sherman, Morgan,
Corncss and Brown, who were elected.
rHE CASE or STEAMER NIAGARA.
Mr.. MoRsmI, frep.) Of Me-. offered tho following
nsoyed Tia, ,hc sscres Of War be directed 70 inform
tered 81 the easr.rmss,crs Department ia iss and re-
b. sS q The s Sen As nn me service
wIsm, cod a. What pfice: and whether any claim made
What !. he sasasa q The a sm ~ "'A '"a particularly
Which Was adopted.
The senate ihcn proceeded the consideration OF the
Dill u Mr. Powell ~ prcvest officers OF the army aul
nssy persons engaged in the mllsary service
iron interfering with elections In States
MI sshsrs, uep 81 Iowa. supported his motion 20
Ter she I'M 70 the Military Committee. as Il referred 70
onioers 10 their military capacity. II these inter-
fere with elections private sbsy become
smcnabe 70 tho avs o. the states where they commit
of superior military authority.
Mr.. poSk,L toppl 81 Ky, nsisted that the Committee
the Judiciary tho proper committee 70 which 10
the I'LL Tho bill ~ protect the freedom OF tho
elective franchise ttr States. protect from the un
varrantabbs interference OF military officers proposes
o. impose penalties upon persons engaged TIE public
service shall interfere with state electjous These
should b. tried before civh tribunals The b,
would pish this Ia the Britain courts all offences
n hss Kind tried. ana he (Mr PoweIl) wished TO
establish this ruiz here.
Mr. thought thu effect Of tho bin would DO 20
ds9uly aay officer wbo obeyed the order Of his supe.
rior fssan boId,sg military or civil ONCE.
Mr. rowltr-fhcn The superior officer would be table
"a punishment. n the General Int hef serc 10 give tho
order be would have 20 10 punished. Unless we can
have freedom IN elections We cannot have gqv
crpnsent.
Mr. psv (opp.) 81 ny, said that the bii Of his Gel
league tMr. PoweJ proposed 10 prevent the action q,
iera from being brought contact w<b freedom Of
suffrage the polls. the bai declares that where q
ocrtn line o. conduct u adopted by the soldier against
freedom OF suffrage, such pe OF action shall const
tte n renal snenoo ~ be tried. not by martial law IL
there be such a which he ilr. Davisl denied but
by civil tribunal u was proper the subject should 70
20 the Judiciary tommittee.
The motion refer the bill 10 the Judiciary Committee
was rejected by vote of n 20 To-
Mr. povuI moved Tor q reoens liberation of the vote
Mr. 1Ass (ep of Ind. voted for the reference 81 the
bin 10 the Judiciary Committee. but not for tho
gven by the Senator from Kentucky lie (Mr. Iane) do
Mod that there had becn interference with the freedom
n elections.
Mr. ssrrsprRy, (orp) Of DEL had seen the armed sol
dery of the "poweIs that be- ~ the polls aud ny posi-
svs interference drive dozeus Of voters away. This was