New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-05-26

Mr.. SEWARD says TINT it is practically an Executive
question: that does not belong TO Congress 70 take
action in the premises and that while the President re-
ceves the unanimous declaration Of the House with the
profound respect TO which 1t is entitled ne directs MI
Dayton to inform the French Government that he does
not intend TO depart from heretofore enunciated
policy concerning the French occupation Of Mexico
1T appears that the French Government was much
exercised by the resolution Of the House but that the
explanations OF Mr.. Dayton quoted the excitement
Mr.. DAVIS (Md) moved that the correspondence be
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Or
dered TO be printed.
The motion was adopted.
THE ARMY BILL
Mr.. MORRILL, (vt). from the Committee OF Confer
ence on the disagreeing amendments 10 the Army bill,
made report providing that in every case where 1t
shall be made to appear to the satisfaction OF the Sec
rotary OF War that any regiment OF infantry or cavalry
battery Of colorcd troops have been enlisted or mus
tered into the service Of the United States under any
authorized assurance given by any officer or agent OF
the United States, BY any Governor of any State
under authority Of the President Secretary OF War;
such troops shall be paid the other troops OF
similar arms OF the service for the period Of service
counting from the date they mustered into the
service to the LIST Of January 1864 provided that this
section shall not DO construed TO prevent the payment
OF other coored troops, provided 1t shall be their right
under the law.
Mr. STEVENS Qn Pa) said that before, when this
question under consideration by the House. they,
by overwhelming majority provided that oil coorcd
troops should be allowed pay. &C, equal with white
soldiers. from the time of their enlistment and enroll
question open To agitation. For one, he would rather
lose the bin than violate the principle with those who
had entered the service from patriotic and not
motives.
Mr. MORRILL, (Un., Vi said by existing law all
colorcd troops from the LIST Of January last 10 re-
eeiye the pay white soldiers The report Of the
Committee of Conference provides for paying coored
troops who previously entered the service the same as
white troops and who were promised equal compensa
ton To include MI others would make too heavy
drain upon the Treasury The report did not prevent
my "a I.rs ruI.
titled a. receive IL. II involved the pay OF free colored
soldiers prior to the LIST Of January last.
Mr.. SPALDNG Un.. ohio argued with the gentleman
from PENNSYLVANIA Steyens) that il would he better not
to pass the bill at oil than TO do gross injustice 70 other
patriotic colored men All soldiers should be paid alike
without regard Ia color.
Mr. GAgrIEl O'n., Ohio said the question was not
whether should pay coored troops the same as white
troops. This law has been already decided 10 take
place from January /. But now it was proposed 10 pay
class Of black men who never had night 10 the IN.
creased compeu sation anterior to that time II would
be gratuity TO give them what lad never been given
to white He did not propose to DO Tor the former
what De- would lot DO for the latter.
Mr.. THAYER G'n., Pa wanted 10 know what right
the SECRETARY uf War had 10 make any discrimination
between oso who had equally borne tho periis OF the
var. .
NJ STEVENS said the Attorney General had decided
TINT the discrimination unlawful and that every
black soldier entitled to SIS per month.
Mr.. IHilER said 10 sOphisiry could sustain snch
discrimination.
Mr. KELLEY tn. Pa stated that when ii was deter
mined Ia employ negro troops, orders were sent TO
south Carolina aud Ia the Governor Of Massachusetts
~ recruit them with the assurance they should receive
tie pay rBtiops. etc as other troops. Suisse
guenily the Solicitor fthe War Department after eI
aiming the act Of July. ls62, decided that coiorcd
troops were entitled to receive only so month end
In accordance with this, en order was issued by tie
Secretary of War; The lst South Carolina aid the 5ith
and s5 Massachusetts were recruited, and notice
then given tiat they would he paid IN conformity with
tie Solicitors construction OF that law. Recently the
President referred that decision 10 the Attorney
General who has given his opinion tina, It was CHROME
and that the application 81 the $40 should be c0n-
fined TO aborers and others outside the actual milf
tary service. So, according 10 the Attorney
General every color-d soldier il entitled
Those Massachusetts regiments refused TO receive the
ten dollars pcr month anu claimed to be fully recog
from Pennsylvania had also refused 10 receive pay un
der similar circumstances. The lst South Carolina was
paid tie sl3 per month but under the Interpretation Of
the law rs given by the Solicitor Of the War Depart
emit three dollars per month were deducted from sub
seguont payments.
Mr. DAVIS CUn.. Md would vote to adhere 20 the
original action ~ the House for the that the law
authorizing the President to accept the services Of vol
unteers made distinction OF pay because OF the differ
ence u color. 49,
clearly appreciate the points Of difference which he ex
planned and he advocated the report OF the Committee
Of Conference which made distinction between freed
men and slaves.
MI WApswoRTH CBor. S. KY was opposed to en-
ploylng black soldiers but II he like the majority
of the House he would scorn 10 make any discrmina
ton as to pay. What right had the Secretary Of War
To promise set Of negro troops higher pay than
others He had right 81 do that than to seize
The World and Journal Of C0mnercc thus violating the
freedom Of the press and insulting the whole American
people. /
The House by % against l2l. rejected the report Of
the Committee ~ Conference. and on motion OF Mr..
SIEyENs another conference was asked o the Senate.
MILITARY RAILROAD.
Mr. ScIIfyCX from the Committee on Military AZ
fairs reported bill. authorizing the President 10 take
measures for constructing military railroad from the
Valley of the Ohio Ia East Tennessee Mr.. ScheLck
said the work absolutely essential aud was so re-
garded By Gems Grant Burnside and Foster, and two
Of these Generals had represented 10 the Committee ON
Military Affairs
Mr. SNIIB (ky.) seid no bill could be Of more IN
portance ard 1t therefore required prompt action.
The consideration Of tho bill fixed for Tuesday
next.
TIE RECIPROCITY TREATY.
The House took mp the Reciprocity esolution.
Mr. ELIOT Of Massachusetts, advocated giving the
required notice for the abrogaton OF the treaty but at
HE same time making provision for modification OF
its terms through the agency OF special COMMISSIONERS
Mr.. KELLOGG Of Michigan was IN favor OF complete
abrogatiun the treaty conferred no dement's IN com
parison with the existing evils
Mr. SPArpNG Of Ohio IN his argument, was Tor CIV /
ing the notice the treaty was clearly against US
We had been too much accustomed 10 throw ourselves
into the power OF Great Britain
Mr.. PRUlS Of New. York advocated TIE JOINT resoli'
ton reported from the Committee on commerce. Tor the
appointment OF commissioners with view To more
perfect reciprocity IL important 10 commerce that
best feelings should exist between the United states
aud the British Provinces. -
The House. at O'Clock. adjourned.
spIeudid Reception Of the First Massa.
sets in Bostou.