Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-06-15
CONGRESSIONAL.
WAsHrEGroH, June I8.


the set TO increase the duties on imports.
Mr.. Wade called up the House bill to
amend the act to provide territorial
goVernmentforI Idaho, which was passed. 1t
. provides for the re-spportionment of ter
ritory, and changes the time Of elections
till the second Monday in October.
Mr.. Chandler, from the Committee on
Commerce, called up the House resolution
for the repair and preservation Of the pub
lie works.
1t sppropristes S25O,OOO for repairing
9 pubic works on Lakes Champlain, On-
tario, Erie, st. Clair, Huron, Michigan,
and Superior, and one hundred thousand
for repairing the public works connected
with the hsrbors Of the United 8 tates sea
board.
The Senate then called up the bill to as
certain and settle the title to certain pri.
Vste land claims in California. On the
pending motion to indefinitely postpone it,
which, after a short debate prevailed, 2i
to l6.
Mr.. Wilson called up the bill for the
more speedy punishment Of gcerrillas, and
its consideration was not concluded at the
expiration Of the morning session.
Mr.. Fessenden called up the fortifosEion
bill, which was passed after striking out
en- appropriation for Boston Hsrbor, and
making On appropriation Of S177, 900 for
Notifications in San Francisco Bay.
The gold bill as amended by the House
was reported By Mr.. Fessenden and order
ed to be printed ss amended preparatory
TO action being taken on it tomorrow.
On motion Of Mr.. Wilson, the Senate
adhered to the amendments 70 the bill for
equalizing the psy Of the United States
soldiers and asked for new Committee
Of Conference.
On motion Of Mr.. Sumner, the bill to es
tsblish bureau Of Fresdmens' Affairs, as
amended by the Committee, was taxed up
and discussed.
| HOUSE.
Mr.. Alley, Of Massachusetts,, from the
Committee on Post Office and Post Roads,
reported joint resolution empowering
the Post Master General in his discretion |
TO extern the mail controct with the pres |
ent contractors, commonly known as the |
Overland Mail Company, from the frat Of |
Jul at the existing rate.
Mr.. Alley said that it was considered |
best for the interest of all parties that the |
contract should be extended one year as in |
the present state Of the currency, it was
| impossible to determine what the service
was worth. The Pos master General had
| advertised for bids and the time expires
tomorrow. Hence the Importance Of
prompt action on the resolution.
Mr.. Stevens discussed its postponemsnt,
in order that it might be sscsrtained what
the bids are
This resolution was read twice, bat as
objection wss made TO the third reading
because the bill had not been engrossed, il
went to the Speakers table.
The House then reoonsidered the vote,
by which recently the senste'e Gold bill
"ss i-iI .1rnn the tsble
MI Fernsndo WOOD R1keI -uuaniroue
consent to speak ten minutes upon the
subject.
Mr.. Spsulding, Of Ohio, objected.
The House 6rst voted on the amendment
heretofore offered By Mr.. Davis, Of New
Provided, moreover, that during the
operation Of this act, the laws Of trade and
gravitation be, and the same are hereby
suspended.
This was voted down amid much laugh
ter.
HOOpers substitute for the first SEQ
Mr. was then agreed TO.
ton OF the bill then passed by the follow
in vote. yeas 76-nsys 81.
The House then went into Committee Of
the Whole on the bill, making appoint
ments fer certain civil expenses. The bill
makes appointments for the survey Of the
coasts and the lighthouse establishment
and other civil expenses. Some Of the
items wsIe objected to By majority Of the
members.
A motion was made and carried by
large G sjority, that the enscting clause be
stricken out Of the bill, which was thus
defes ed.
The House Fecommitted it to the Com
mittee Of Wsys and Means.
On motion it was resolved that until
otherwise ordered the House will daily
take recess at430 to 80 for business.
Mr.. Fenton, Of New York, stated that he
was obliged to leave the House yesterday
on account Of i'll health, and his colleague,
Steele, kindly consented to pair with him.
Mr.. Steele was now in his seat, and he
now asked consent of the House that they
should now record their vote on the bill
for the repeal Of the fugitive slave law.
Consent was given.
Mr.. FentOn voted for and Mr.. Steele
against the bill.
The House resumed the consideration of
the bill proposing as an amendment to the
c, Institution to g. olish slavery throughout
the Uni ed States.
Mr.. Pruyn, Of New York, denied the
Constitution could be construed to enlarge
it's power so as to deal with matters beyond
its reach. Two thirds Of the States can
not take away the reserved right Of any
state. If 80, what was to prevent the sb-
sorption OF tresohery if one right or prin-
eiple should be destroyed under such 8
dootrine2 States might be snnihilsted and |
monsrehies substituted. Leave each State /
tn saw CHAT ia best for its pYn people and |
Mr.. Fernando Wood said that this was |
no time for charge in the organic law |
we were in the midst Of civil war. The |
| din Of the conflict and the grosns Of the |
dying and wounded are sad evidences OF
| the destruction around us. The entire |
people are involved directly or Indlreetly |
! IN the dreadful conflict. There was too
much excitement in the public MIND 10
admit Of calmer and more cautious inVes-
tigation. If such change could be made
in the constitution, this Was not the time
for it. The effect Of such an amendment
would pro luce q revulsion widespread
and radical in its character and add to the
existing sectional hostility, and II possible
make the conflict more intense. Among
his reasons for opposing the resolution, he
said it proposed to make the social instltu-
tions subject to the Government and this
was in aatsgonism to the principles which
upderlie ali republican system. 1t was
urgent. 1t was breash Of Government
fsiih. and not reconoilsble, even with e1-
pedienoy. ItstruCk at the property, and
involved the exterminsting Of the whites
of the Southern States, and the forfeiture
of their property and land to be given to