Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-02-19

WASHINGTON Feb. 10

Washington Feb. 10
SESArE--Mr. Trumbull reported from the ju
dietary committee various bills to amend th
Constitution, and amendments by way Of sub
stitutes, providing for the abolition Of SLAYER
through State legislation.
Mr.. Sumner introduced q resolution inquirin,
as to an outrage committed on Surgeon Augusta
Of the 9Th U. S. COlored Vols, by a conductor 0
a street car in Washington. The resolution wa
adopted-yeas 80, nays 10.
Mr.. Trumbull, from the judiciary committee, re
ported back substitute for joint resolution of Mr.
Henderson, proposing amendment to Constitu
ton, as follows:
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude
/ except as punishment for crime, shall exist with
in the United States or any place subject to then
| jurisdiction.
The committee reported adversely to the pro-
I posed amendment Of the Constitution by Mr.
Sumner, making all men free before the law, 81
Z that no man can be held under another a slave
Mr.. Clark introduced bill ratfying and re-
affirming the Presidents Proclamation Of Jan.
lst, 1868, and giving it the force of a statute.
Referred to slavery and freedmen committee.
Mr.. Brown submitted an amendment to the
enlistment bill confirming the emancipation proc
lamation and abolishing slavery throughout the
country, and subJecting eolored men to enroll
ment and draft.
The bill equalizing pay Of soldiers was taken
up, the question pending being on striking out
the section giving colored the same pay as white
soldiers.
Mr.. Sumner argued in fsvor Of the bill
Mr.. fessenden opposed the Retrospective char
acter Of the bill
Mr.. Wilson favored il endorsing Mr.. Sumner
Mr. D00little gave notice of amendments
Bill was laid over.
HoUsE.-The House went into committee Of
the whole on the State Of the Union on the en-
rollment bill The committee were for a long
time engaged on the section e1emp;ing members
Of religious denominations who are conscientious
ly opposed TO bearing arms, from service in the
field. During the debate Mr. Deming Of Conn,
said there were 100000 non-resstants in the
country, and if they were exempted from the
draft then there would be a revival among these
religious sects and thar ranks al least be re-
cTuitei
Mr.. J. C. Allen Of ILL., moved to amend by
striking out the reference to religious denomina-
tons and make the section apply TO all persons
conscientiously opposed to bearing arms.
Mr.. Aliens motion WAS disagreed to.
Mr.. Allen then moved 10 strike out the section,
which motion was decided in the negative The
section now stands as in the original
Mr.. Ganson offered as an amendment that the
provisions Of the writ Of habeas corpus shall not
be suspended in the cases Of alleged minors who
may be enlisted. This amendment was reject
ed
Mr.. Stevens offered an amendment that per-
sons Of African descent, between 20 and 45 years
Of age, whether either Of the United States or
not, shall be enrolled and form part Of the ns-
tional forces that shall be drafted and mustered
81 Il -
Gates for $500
A lively debate en.ued, participated in BY
Messrs. Clay and Mallory against, and Boutwell,,
Morris Of y. T., Creswell, Fsrnsworth, Davis of
Nd, and Smithers. in favor Of amendment.
The committee rose without voting
WASHINGTON, Feb. IL.
SESAIE.-Mr. Conness called up the bill
amendatory and supplementary TO an act to pro-
vide Circuit Courts for California and Oregon,
which, after being amended was adopted.
Mr.. Collamer reported back from the commit
tee on post Offices and roads a bill regulating
railroads in New Jersey. and moved that the
subjec, be referred to the judiciary committee.
After debate the bill Vas laid or the table.
Mr. Davis introduced bill to ascertain the
losses Of loyal States during the war; referred to
committee on claims.
The bill revivIng the grade Of Lieutenant Cen
eral. was called up by Mr.. Wilson, and after
discussion, without coming to any action, the
Senate adjourned
HousE.-A bill WAS passed appropriaiing
81, 900 to rebuild the Presidents stables, de
sJroyed BY ere last night.
On motion Of Mr.. Cha d er, the select commit
tee on a railroad between New York and Wash
ington was instructed to inquire into the e1pedi-
ency Of furnishing additional railroad facilities
for the transportation Of troops between the two
cities.
The House went INTO committee Of the whole on
the enrolment bill
The amendment to draft persons Of African
descent 70 constitute part Of the national forces
was discussed, involving the equestion Of compsn-
satiou to loyal owners
An amendment by Mr.. Davis WAS agreed 10,
providing Tor the appointment Of commissioners
10 each slave state represented in Congress. to
award Just compensation, not exceeding $500. to
each loyal owner Of any slave who volunteers,
payable out Of commutation money where the
master frees the slave.
Mr. Baldwin moved 10 substitute the words
persons TO whom the coiorei volunteer owes
service" for the owner OF any slaye,' agreed
10.
Mr. Webster offered an amendment that the
bounty OF 500 now payable ior esch enlisted
man, shall be paid to the person to whom each
drafted person owes service, freeing the person;
agreed 20.
Mr. Stevens amendment Us amended by
Messrs Davis and Webster was agreed TO. Va
rious propositions were disposed Of The CON-
mittee rose and reported the amendments to the
House
Mr. Schenck offered substitute which includes
the above amendments; ordered to be printed,
together with the bill as amended.
Adjourned.
Feb -