Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-15
SENATE.
WAsHlxGroN. February l3

ASHtNGTON, II cOrudfl To-
A resolution of thanks to Gen. Sherman and
| his officers and men passed.
On motion of Mr. Wilson, the Senate resolu-
tious equalzing the pay of officers were taken
up.
| A report Of the Secretary OF War was read, in
answer to n resolution relative to Offices com
mutation for quarters and fuel. IL shows that
there are 557 officers here drawing such commu-
tation now: Major Generals, 10 Brigsdier Gen
erals. "a Colonies. Is Lieutenant. Colonies. "a
Majors, l26 Captains 43 LieuteHants. pc Sur
geons, IL Assistant Surgeons, and 79 Paymas-
tiers. -r sts- fl.-f ..-r
Mr.. Howe presented memorial from the
Milwaukee Chamber Of Commerce, representing
that within few months more than SOS. 900 900
had been raised. and is waiting egress and asking
aid la the construction of wagon road with mil
itary protection through Central Minnesota.
| Referred
On motion of Mr.. Wilson the Senate proceeded
to the consideration of the bill equslizing the pay
of Uated States soldiers.
Mr. Conness withdrew his amendment confer
ring the benefits those in the service at the
time of the passage of the amendment.
Mr. Sumner offered an amendment providing
that in cases where the Secretary Of War shall be
satisfied that persons of color have been muster
ed into the service of the United States at the
rate of $l3 per month. they shall be paid at that
rate for previous service
Mr. Grimes hoped the Senator would withdraw
his proposition, aud that from this time forward
every soldier was TO have the same paw. He
hoped the bill might be allowed to stand on its
merits without making n retrospective
Mr. Wilson moved to strike out the clause in
the bill Of the committee giving colored troops
the same pay. &C., except bounty, during the
| whole time they have been in service.
An amendment offered by Mr. Dnolittle. de-
Quoting 81 per month from their pay for support
| ing their families and friends. is under discus
sion ttifae -
An amendment offered BY Mr.. Wilson was
adopted. equolizing the pay of colored troops.
extending the provisions Of the bill so as to give
them an additional s. per month from January
l,IS64. . -rar
! Mr. Sumner would not withdraw his amend
ment without explaining that its provision would
only apply to n lew regiments and there would
be no great draft on the Treasury.
Mr. Fessenden here claimed the floor, and
from the Financial Committee reported certain
amendments to the House deficiency bill. He
asked that they lie over till Monday. II
Mr.. johnson, In reply to Mr.. Sumner. said il
the black men of Maryland were as good as the
black men enlisted elsewhere, why make excep.
tionsf If justice were done, according to the
views Of the Senator from Massachusetts,, some
| $500 900 would be taken from the Treasury; or,
as he understood it, about 81 500 900. All
should be paid alike. Whv did not Mzssacbu-
sets paw her troops herselr s-,as rsssl -
Mr.. Fessendep said be understood the pay had
been offered, but the colored troops refused TO
receive Il. si
Mr. Wilson explained the circumstances under
which the colored troops from Massachusetts had
refused to receive their pay. They held the gov
eminent to the pledges made to them, and want
ed the full pay Of thirteen dollars per month or
ask to be discharged from the service e,.isss
Mr.. johnson said then they were colvred gen.
tlemen OF extraordinar, sensibties.
Mr. Grimes said that from the very outset he
and his colleague Mr.. Harlan) we're in favor Of
/ putting negro troops on an equality with the
whites, He was on the record in this respect
before the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr.
Skinner 80 .eii'rs h1r'1eoi go se''A 80
| Mr.. Sumner said that in q public speech he
had said that while he was in favor of carrying
the war into Africa he was more in favor Of car