Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-03-09
SENATE.

The petition of Eli Thayer and others. pre-
sented on Monday, was incorrectly stated to be
in favor of the passage Of Il law confscating the
lands of the rebels and distributing them among
freedmen. The petition in reality asks Congress
to con6scate utterly and without reserve, the
lands of rebels. and TO give OF the same, without
other formalty than occupation, l6O acres to
each private in the naval service, and to each
man in the rank and file of the Union army
Mr.. Powell called up the joint resolution re-
guessing the Secretary of War to transmit the
report and evidence of the Military Commission
of which Gen. Mcdowell was President.
Mr. Wilson opposed the call for these papers,
a. they were necessary to be withheld that they
might be used in the prosecution of officers who
culpable.
Mr.. Sherman said the evidence 10 possession of
the President vindcaes Gen. Curtis from the
charge Of specializing in cotton.
Mr.. Powell said the Senator from Kansas had
stated that if he was the President Secretary
of War he would want no higher eulogy than his
(Powe,ls) censure. If be thought the Secretary
of War was doing his duty, he would not censure
him.
Mr. Lane of Kansas said that in three years
he had never heard one word from the Senator
(Howell) in denunciat ion Of the rebel leaders,
while day by day he had heard him denounce the
officers of the Government.
Mr.. Johnson hoped the Senator from Massa-
chusetts would withdraw his objection to the
passage of the resolution as amended.
Mr. Wilson would not resist the passage of
the resolution with the amendment of the Sena-
tor from Iowa.
Mr. Grimes said the whole proceeding of the
missions were grossly in violation OF the articles
of war, which proved that no such commission
should be created except by the President. and
he was wholly ignorant of the formation of such
n Mr. Grin
ing but a commission to fish up testimony de-
rogatory TO officers in high standing in the army.
He referred 10 the case Of Gen. Curtis who was
arraigned on the testimony without his pres
ence.
SO satisfactory was the evidence thatthe Pres.
nent announced at once that Gen Curtis was
free from all blame
II this resolution passes it should be accompa
MED by a request for any testimony which should
properly accompany it.
After some remarks by MIR. Powell, the res0u
ton was informally passed over.
On motion of Mr.. Lane. of Kansas, a reS0lu
ton was adopted directing the Committee on the
| Pacific Railroad 10 inquire into the expedIency of
constructing a railroad from Fort Leayenworth
to Lawrence.
! Mr. Carlisle, from the Committee on Public
Lands. reported back bill to confirm certain
| land claims in California. Referred 10 the Post
I OlIlcc
| Mr.. Wilson introduced a bill 20 provide for
the better organization of the Quartermasters'
| Department, which was referred to the Commit
tee on Military Affairs.
This bill organizes divisions, charged With du-
ties as follows:
! lst-Purchase and disposition Of horses for the
service.
| 2d-Purchase and issue of clothing, KNAPP
sacks, camp and garrison equipage, and accou-
/ trements
3d-Charter of vessels for transportation.
! 4th-Western trans portation and telegraph.
! 5th-Purchase o: forage
! 6th-Erection of hospitals, barracks store,
| houses stables and bridges
7th-The purchase and distribution of wagons
ambuances and forges.
sth-lnspections and reports.
neutrality-suspicious.. returns and records.
Except in case of emergency, or in purchase
al the seat of war. advertising for proposals is
required.
The bill also provides for the more economical
distribution of supplies and for the punishment
of frauds in purchases
The special order was taken up, being the
amendment of Mr. Brown TO the bill to promote
enlistments. He concluded his remarks in IA
vor of general emancipation policy.
Adjourned