Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-03-07

HOUSE.
WAsHINaroN. FebruarY %

WASHINGTON. February %.
The bill reviving the grade Of Lieutenant Gen.
eral was signed o-day by the presiding officer OF
each House, and only awaits the Presidents sig 4
nature TO become a law.
IL the House. Julian Of Indiana introduced
bill to secure to persons in the military and naval
service homesteads on coD6scated and forfeited
e>tates in insurrectionary districts. Referred to
the Committee on Public Lands
Mr.. Ross of Illinois offered a resolution that
the pay OF officers and soldiers in the army and
navy be increased to about 80 per cent. and that
the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed
to Immediately report such bill
p Mr.. Wilson, oil Iowa. introduced bill that
each and every person indebted, or who may be
come indebted to the United States prior 20 July
]. 1865, on account of duties on imports. may
discharge one tenth of the amount of such in
debtedness by payment in legal tender Treasury
notes of the United States.
Also, bill providing that the provision of the
act of Congress of 1861, which authorizes direct
tax of 500 900 900, shall be suspended until
April |. 1861.
Both bills were referred to the Committee of
Ways and Means.
inquiry az TO the expediency OF putting rebel
prisoners to work, in order that they may earn
livelihood while under our care. a.s-.
Mr. Blair of Missouri objected .
More than an hour was consumed in repeating
joint resolution heretofore passed authorizing
the clerk of the House to procure a copyright of
Lanman's Directory of Congress.
The bill reported from the Committee of
Ways and Means, last week, and which was then
published. authoring change in the form of a
part of the loan authorized by the act of March
last. This is the bill for the issue of $40 ,OOO,-
900 40 bonds.l
r SENATE
Mr.. Grimes introduced a bill for the protection
of overland emgrants to the Pacific. Referred
to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Sumner, from the Select Committee on
Slavery and Freedom, presented a report on the
Fugitive Slave Law. recommending a repeal of
| all laws for the rendition of fugitive slaves
The bill to extend the payment of bounties 10
April LIST, was recommitted to the Finance Com
mittee to await the Judgment of the President
and Secretary of War. is SSH -,-r.--.. .t.f
The Senate then considered the bill equalzing
the pay of soldiers.
Mr.. Chandler presented a joint resolution from
the Legislature of Michigan asking changes in
the enrolment law. Referred to the Military
Committee
Mr. Chandler presented lengthy petition from
the ambulance corps Referred.
MI Lane, of Kansas, introduced joint reso-
luton of the Kansas Legislature asking for in
formation in reference TO certain school lands in
Kansas o
Mr. Chandler moved to take upthe Senate bill
to make Parkersburg. Va, port of entry.
Mr. Nelson, from the Military Committee, re
ported bill extending bounties to April 18th
as passed by the House. I'D
Mr Nelson thought we were enlisting men
much faster than we could provide for them
We were enlisting them at the rate OF 2 900 per
day. If we had to make a draft it would be
but small one. We have over 300 900 already
under the last call
Mr.. Fessenden moved that the bill be recon
mtted.
Mr. Sherman thought if the Secretary of War
wished that extension of time for the payment
of boLnties, he should say so in writing. He
would oppose il without such an endorsement
Mr. Lane of Indiana cOncurred with Mr.. Sher-
man. If we strike out the S3O0-clsuse In the
present law, il would secure men enough without
impoyerishing the country.
Mr. Nesmith offered to give an extension oil
the time named in the resolution; that the bill
should 60 to the Senate Finance Committee, but
the Military Committee found it on their tables
this morning, and brought il before the Senate as
it came from the House with the clause extend
ing the payment of bounties to April /. Il
would incur an expenditure of $50 600 900. The
bill WAS recommitted to the Military Committee
On motion of Mr. Conness, il was ordered thai
10000 copies of the Report of the Committee OF
Freedmen and Slavery. with the accompanying
bill. be printed for the use of the Senate. Re
ferred to the Committee on Printing.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration o
the bill eouaizing the pay of soldiers. the ques
ton being the pending amendment of Mr.
Wilson to insert the word free before the wore
persons in Mr. Collamers amendment.
Mr.. Fessenden was opposed to the RETROSPECT
tive character OF the bill He was not willing t
put his hands in the treasury to pay the coloreC
troops money they did not ask for.
Adjourned.