The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-05-11
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w ASHINGToN, May ..
sSENArE.-Mr Fessenden reported from
the Finance committeezthe army appro-
priation bill as amended by sthe Huuse,
and asked for com niittee of conference,
which was agreed to.
Mr. Harlan, froin'the committee op
Public Lands. reported bill to dispose
of coallands and town property on tue
public domain.
Mr.. Sherman called up the resolution
that quorum of the Senate shall consti-
tute majority Of the Senators present
duly qualified After debate the subject
was made the special order for 1915
o'clock to morrow.
The House joint resolution appropria-
ting $25,0O0,O 900 for the pay of the one
hundred day troops, was p%ssed--23 to
IL
After several unsuccessful attempts to
obtain quorum on the vote to adhere to
the Senate amendments to the bill to es-
tablish bureau of military justice, the
Senate, at 2:3O, adjourned.
HoUsE-Mr. Schenck, of Ohio, from
the Committee Of Military Affairs, repor-
ted bill providing that on and after the
1st of May next, the pay ofprivates in
arms shall be increased from $13 to SIG
a month, and Of non com missioned officers
as follows: Corporals SIS; sergeants $40;
orderly sergeants S24; sergeant major S
S26 per month; clerks to paymaster $1,000
per aunum, &c.
Mr.. Schenck moved the previous ques-
ton, and was about to explain the bill
when Mr. Cox asked his colleague to
withdraw the demand so as to allow him
to amend the bill by increasing the pay
of private soldiers to Sl8 per month, and
non commissioned officers to 20. Even
this would hardly be enough to keep pace
with the increase in the price Of the ne
cessaries of life for the families ofthe sol
dicrs His (Cox's) friends on his side
of the House offered this in good faith
Mr Schenck declined to comply, hay
ing been instructed by his committee to
urge the preSe..t bill.
Mr.. Dawson, of Pennsylvania, appeal
ed TO 1ar Schcnck. He was Chairman
oi the Democratic caucus, and desired to
Offer that which that caucus had agreed to
offer for the soldiers.
MIR. ScAenck replied that if the Demo-
cratic caucus were more numerous than
the Union caucus, they could vote down
the motion for the previous question.
Mr.. Schenek proceeded to explain the
bill. Both the Senate and House having
acted upon the proposition to equalize the
pay of white and colored soldiers, the
committee on Military Affairs had prin-
cipally confined themselves to the increas
ing Of the pay. In the course of his re-
marks, he said it was proposed to amend
former law, SO officers may have leave
of absence for causes other than sickness
or wounds without deduction of pay and
allowances, and that the absence shall not
exceed thirty days in any one year.
! The ration of 1861 is restored. making
a reduction CT one dollar and thirty nine
cents month This took away nothing
essential to the soldiers comfort and sub
sistance, and gave him supplies equal tc
;! any soldier in the world, and twice as
much as those of jeff Davis. In the ag
gregate the Government will save consid
erable, while the soldier is paid five o.
six times as much in cash as the deduc
ton in the increase If his pay. The bill
was passed unanimously, there being 13:
yeas
Mr.. Stevens reported from the Com
mttee OF Ways aud Means, the Senat,
amendments to the Navy appropriation
bill. apd the House concurred in the ap
preparation of 81 ,200,U0U ier the compile
ton of sixteen screw steam sloops; 81,
000;000 for the purchase and repair o
vessels for western waters, and $4,000.
600 for the purchase and charter of vessel
for blockading purposes.