Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-02-05
WASHINGTON. Feb 9.


SrSATE.-Hon. Geo. R. Biddle, from Della
ware, appeared aud took the oath of Office.
| Mr.. Sumner pre-ented the petition of Rich
ard Yates, of Illinois, pe,itioning Congress to
exercise its constitutional powers for the i'm
mediate abolition Of slavery throughout the
United States. Referred to the Committee on
Slavery and Freedom.
Mr.. Doolittle's resolution requesting the
Departments to send person to represent
them bef,re the Committee of Investigation
was taken up.
Mr.. Hale spoke in opposition. The debate
will be lengthy one.
Mr.. Hale opposed Mr.. Doolittle's resolution
as unnecessary and productive Of mischief, its
effect being to turn every committee into a
common Justices court, before which petty
foggers would appear ard indefinitely prolong
! Its sessions.
Mr.. Doolittle defended his motion, stating
that he considered its adoption necessary to
fulfill the ends of Justice in the matter of in.
vestigation into frauds, in which the heads
of Departments were as anxious for scrutiny
as any Senator.
Mr.. Trumbull opposed the resolution.
Further consideration was postponed till
Monday. T.. s.. Is
The Enrolment Bill was taken up, the
question being on Mr.. Henderson's amend
ment limiting freedom to the wives and child
rem of slave recruits belonging to disloyal
owners.
| Nj. Sherman opposed the resolution. He
was in favor of taking all the slaves we need
ed into the military service, but we should
pay loyal masters reasonable compensation
for them. He thought by carefully prepar
ed law we ought to enroll the slaves of the
United States and secure their freedom to
| them for their services, and was prepared to
vote for compensation system Of emancipa-
| ton with just compensation to loyal owners.
MIR. Carlisle obtained the floor to reply when
the Executive session adjourned.
Houston motion of Mr.. Fenton the
Secretary of the Navy was requested to in
form the House whether the supplies for the
navy during the past year were purchased
upon contract; if not, what proportion and
kinds were purchased in open market, ETC.,
| and inform the House what alterations in the
law are necessary.
Mr.. Stevens, from the Committee of Ways
and Means, reported bill of appropriations
for the support of the army for the year end
ing June, 1865. s.- ed
The House. passed the bill to facilitate the
payment Of bounties and arrears of pay due
wounded and deceased soldiers.
The House resumed the consideration of
the bill amendatory of the confiscation act.
Mr.. Schenck explained the difference be-
tween the Senate bill and the substitute
recommended by the House Committee of
Military Affairs.
Mr.. Chandler made speech against the
Conscription Bill.
Mr.. Broomall made speech in favor of the
confscation of rebel estates.
The House went into Committee of the
Whole on the Senate bill amendatory to the
Enrolment Act.
Mr.. Davis, of New York, replied to Mr..
Chandler, saying the country could not exist
on the basis Of such patriotism as his col
league had expressed.
Mr.. Anderson spiri.edly replied to Mr.. w.
]. Allen, who some days ago made illusions
to him. He charged Mr. Allen as sympa-
timing with and apologizing for treason
Mr.. Allen responded, reiterating that An
derson's election to the House was by aid of
the bayonet. . $40.
Alter colloquy Of sharp personal char
acter the House adjourned.