Evening star., 1864-05-02
CONGRESSIO
xXxvIIIrH OoNGREss.-fIRsT SESSION
MONDAY, MAY 2.

MONDAY, May Z.
SENATE.-Mr. Grimes presented petition
from naval officers, representing that formerly
there were 81 commanders and 65 captains In
the navy, and now, with the large increase or
the navy in men and ships, the commanders
have been reduced to 81 in number, and lieu
tenant commanders have to serve as COM
manders in large number Of cases, and COM
manders as captains, with all the responsi.
rank or pay. They pray relief In the premises.
Referred to the Naval Committee.
Mr.. Wilson offered resolution to provide
additional grounds for the Cemetery at the
Soldiers Home, which directs the Secretary Of
War to add to the Soldiers Cemetery at the
Home such portions Of the ground adjacent as
Mr. Wilson stated that 5000 soldiers had
now been buried in the cemetery principally
since the war had commenced, and additional
land is wanted to continue the interments.
ating more of the lands at the Soldiers Home,
and an idea has been started Of establishing an
additional cemetery over the river; but he
thought 1t proper that the soldiers who die here
in this war should all be buried in one ground,
which will be an object Of intense interest near
this Capital in ages to come.
The resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Wilson introduced q bill to grant one
million Of acres Of public lands for the benefit
Of public schools in the District OF Columbia.
THE lands are to be taken from any that are
subject to private entry; ~ Ine process 1870 are 10
between the ages Of five and seventeen years,
without distinction Of color Men Of color be-
tween the ages oftwenty and sixty, IN the cities
of Washington, shall each annually pay poll
tax of one dollar for the use and benefit OF pub.
lie schools, to be assessed and collected by the
corporate authorities OF these cities, and the
Lew Court of the said county. Referred to
the Committee on Public Lands.
Mr.. Hall offered a resolution that the Com.
mittee on Military Affairs inquire into the pre-
sent condition of the Soldiers Home the ad-
ipic tra of institution,
and whether some other than that mode OF re-
lief, by pensions or otherwise, would not be to
the better advantage Of retired soldiers. The
Mr.. Morrill, called up the bill to regulate the
foreign in coasting trade on the northeastern
and northwestern frontiers. He explained
act OF 1881, and places British vessels navi-
eating the Lakes precisely in the same position
as British vessels navigating the seas.
The bill was passed.
HoUsH-The resolution heretofore offered by
MIR. Blaine, Of Maine, was referred TO the
Committee on Military Affairs. 1t declares
that the debt, incurred by the several states
calling out troops to aid in the suppression of
the rebellion, ought ultimately to be assumed
by the United States 20 r-.-tE
On motion Of Mr. Rice, of Maine, resolution
was adopted instructing the Committee on
Of making change in the hall Of the House, 50
that one side OF 1t may open on the exterior and
the probable cost Of such Improvement
Mr. Hardlng'S reSOIutOn, heretofore Omored,
declaring that when the rebel States are sub.
dued or put down, they are entitled to return
under the Constitution as they formerly were.
and, further, that the Union is not dissolved.
He said that none but a revolutonist or Sc.
cessionist could vote against the resolution.
Mr.. Epson moved to lay il upon the table.
This was agreed toy against So.
The House next took up the resolution here
tofore offered by MI. Wadsworth that the powers
not delegated to the United States by tho Con-
stitntion nor prohibited by 1t to the States are
reserved respectively to the States or to the
people, and that the Executive can neither di.
rectly or indirectly exercise any Of the powers
thus reserved, or lawfully restrict or obstruct
the exercise thereof by the people.
On motion Of Mr.. Farnsworth, the motion
was referred to the Committee oa the Rebel
lions States.
On motion of Mr.. johnson, OF Pa q resolu-
tion was adopted instructing the Committee on
the District Of Columbia to inquire into the
expediency Of cleansing the Washington canal,
and providing for drainage BY culverts, SO that
the health Of the city may be protected from
deleterious influences and miasma.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson, an inquiry was
directed to the Secretary Of the Navy as to
whether precaution had been taken to prevent
the construction and action of the rebel ram
which attacked our vessels Of war near Ply
mouth, North Carolina.
The Speaker laid before the House message
from the President, giving the information
ment Of F. p. Blair to command. The en-
closures show the course which was pursued,
and that the resignation of MAJOR General
Blair was Withdrawn by him.
The mes sage was referred to the Committee
of Elections.