Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-03-09
Conc.rcssioi,unr.
WAsHrNGToN,

ted States, and that the lands thereafter re-
naming be open to homestead law.
Mr.. Powell called up the joint resolution
requesting the Secretary Of War to trans
init the report and evidence Of the military
commission of which Gen. Mcdowell was
President. '
Mr.. Wilson opposed the call for the pa
pers as they were necessary to be withheld
that they might be used In the prosecution
of officers who were culpable.
Mr.. Grimes said the whole proceedings
Of the mission were grossly in violation Of
the articles of war, which provided that no
such commission should be created except
by the President; and he was wholly ignor-
ant Of the formation of such a commission,
Mr.. Grimes considered it nothing but
commission to fish up testimony derOgatory
to officers in high standing in the army. He
referred to the case of Gen. Curtis. who was
arraigned on exparte testimony without his
presence. He had been informed that every
particle of the testimony redeRing on Gen.
Curtis. taken by the commission, was dis
proved by testimony now in possession of
the President.
So satisfactory was the evidence that the
President at once announced that Gen.
Curtis was free Of all blame. Is this reso-
luton passes, 1t should be accompanied by
request for any testimony which should
properly accompany it. He did not want
any ex parte statement to go out to the de-
triment of soldier, when records of the
War Department entirely exonnrate him.
Mr.. Powell said it was no doubt the truth
that the Secretary of War was in the habit
of doing things without the knowledge of
the President, very much to the detriment
of the best interests of the country. If the
President allowed such things to be done
without his knowledge he was not entitled
to the comlniseration of the country. He
should instantly dismiss such an official.
Mr.. Lane of Kansas, said If he was Presi-
dent or Secretary of War, he would con-
slider 1t the highest honor that could be paid
him to be assaulted by the Senator from
Kentucky. A@t
Mr.. Sherman said the evidence in the
possession of the President clearly vindi-
Gated Gen. Curtis from the charges of spec
ulation in cotton. He had it from the lips
of the President himself that the removal
of Gen. Curtis was from another cause.
Mr.. Powell said the Senator from Kansas
had stated that if lie was the President or
Secretary of war he would want no higher
eulogy than his censure. If he thought the
Secretary of War was performing his duty
he would not have word of censure for
him. OF one thing he was certain, that the
very damaging to the President and his
war.
Mr.. Lane said he had been here for three
years and hadsnever heard one word from
the Senator [Powell] in denunciation of the
leaders of the rebellion, while he had of the
officers of the Government.
Mr.. johnson hoped the Senator from
Massachusetts would withdraw his objec-
tions to the passage of the resolution as
amended. Gen. Curtis was not the only
officer whose reputation had been damaged
in public estimation by the commission.
Nine-tenths OF the evidence before it would
not be received in court of justice. Mr..
Wilson would not resist the passage of the
resolution. tt~r Ic
After the adoption of the amendment of
the Senator from Iowa, requeating the Presi-
dant to transmit the evidence ETC., the sub
ject was informally adopted.
The resolution was informally passed
over. t f 7,t.
On motion of Mr.. Lane of Kansas a res-
olution was adopted directing the commit
tee on the Pacific railroad to enquire into
the eXpedieney of constructing 4 railroad
from Fort Leavenworth to Lawrence, Kan
sas. 10
Mr.. Carlisle reported back from the COM
mittee on Public Lands bill to confirm
certain land claims In California. Referred
to the Postoffice committee. ..-s
r. The special order was taken up, being the
amendment of Mr.. Brown to the bill to pro-
mote enlistments. =. 3SN
Mr.. Brown proceeded to address the Sem
ate at length in support of his amendment
and the freeing of the slaves as q war meas
ure, and claimed the existence of the pow
er to free them in Congress and the execu-
tive. He concluded his remarks In favor of
a general emancipation policy. iGi, gaar15l
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill to provide
for the better organization of the Quarter
masters Department, which was referred to
the committee on Military Affairs. This
bill organizes divisions charged with duties
as follows: First purchase and disposition
of horses for the service; ID, Purchase and
issue Of clothing, knapsacks, camp and gar
rison equipage and accoutrements; Sd, cha
ter Of vessels of transportation; Id, western
transportation and telegraphs; 9th, pur-
chase of forage; 9th, erection of hospitals,
barracks, store-houses, stables and bridges;
7th, purchase and disposition of wagons,
ambulanees and forges; Sth, inspections and
reports; 9th, correspondence, returns and
records of exchange in case of urgency, or
In purchases at the seat of war, for adver-
tising for proposals is required. The bill
provides also for the more economical dis
tribution of supplies and for the punish
ment of frauds or bribery in such pur-
chases. ,., .gs,5,,..r So.
The Senate went into executive session
and afterwards adjourned. sS M
HoUsE.-Mr. Kasson presented the reso-
lutions of the Iowa Legislature in favor of
soldiers, discharged for wounds or disabili-
ties being employed in situations which
they are, competent to fill under the Gov