The Portland daily press., 1864-02-15
BY TELEGRAPH
Portland Daily Press.
XXXVIII OONGREss---First Session.
WASHINGTON. Feb. Is.


the Cumberland, was passed.
On motion OF Mr.. Wilson, the Senate resolu-
lions equalizing the pay of soldiers was taken
up.
MIR. Wilson's amendment was adopted. 1t
equalzes the pay of colored troops, extend
ing the provisions of the bill to give them an
additional three dollars per month from Jan.
LIST, 1864.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Doolit-
tie, deducting four dollars per month from
their pay for supporting their families and
friends is under discussion.
A report from the Secretary of War was re-
ceived, in answer to resolution relative to
ofhcers communication, quarters and fuel. 1t
shows that there are 3S7 officers here drawing
such Communication, viz:-9 Major Generals,
Is Brig Generals, "a Colonies, Is Lieut. Col
onsls, "a Majors 1875 Captains, 43 Lieutenants,
"A Surgeons, IL Assistant Surgeons and rs
Paymasters.
Mr.. Howe presented memorial from the
Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce, represent
ing that within a few months more than
$3.50 000,0 600 have been mined and are await
ing egress, and asking aid for the construc-
tion Of wagon road with military protection
through Central Minnesota. Referred.
Mr.. Harlan introduced bill for the regis
tration of voters in Washington city. Re-
ferred to the Committee of the District of Co.
lumbia.
On motion Of Mr. Wilson, the Senate pm
ceeded TO the consideration of the bill equal
izing the pay of United States soldiers
Mr.. CONFESS withdrew his amendment con-
filming the benefits TO those in the service at
the time of the passage of the act.
Mr.. Sumner offered an amendment, provid-
ing when the Secretary of War shall be salts
fled that persons OF color have been mustered
in m NJ fba 70 >f& a
per month they shall be paid at that rate for
previous services.
Mr.. Grimes hoped that the Senator would
withdraw his proposition, and that from this
time forward every soldier, whatever might
be his color, would receive the same pay.
Mr.. Howe concurred with Mr.. Grimes.
Mr.. Wilson moved to strike out the clause
in the bill OF the committee giving the colored
troops the same pay, ETC., except bounty, dur
ing the whole time they have been in the SER
vice, and insert after the LIST day of January,
1864.
Mr.. Sumner would not withdraw his amend
ment without explaining that its provisions
would only apply to a few regiments, and,
therefore, there would be no draft upon the
treasury. He did not think that the United
States could afford at this time to do injustice
to the colored troops.
Mr.. Fessenden here claimed the floor, and
from the Finance Committee reported certain
amendments TO the House deficiency bill. He
asked that they lie over until Monday.
Mr.. johnson, in reply to Mr.. Sumner, said
II the black men of Maryland were en-
listed elsewhere why make exceptions. They
were all enlisted under the same law. If JUS
tice were done according to the views of the
Senator of Massachusetts, some $4,000
would be taken from the treasury, or, as he
understands it, $4,000 in all should be paid
Why did not Massachusetts pay these troops
herself?
Mr.. Fessenden said he understood the pay
had been offered, but the colored troops re-
fused TO receive il.
Mr.. Wilson explained under which the col
ored men from Massachusetts, had refused TO
receive their pay. They held the Govern
ment to the pledges made 10 them, and want
ed the full pay of thirteen dollars per month,
or asked to be discharged from the service.
Mr. Johnson said then they were colored
gentlemen Of extraordinary sensitiveness.
Mr.. Grimes said that from the very outset
he AID his colleague (Harlan) were in favor of
puttDg negro troops on an equality with
whites. He was on the record in this respect
before the Senator from Massachusetts, lMr.
Summer.
Mr.. Sumner said that in public speech he
said that while he was in favor of carrying
the war into Africa, he was more in favor Of
carrying the African into the war. Laugh
teri
Mr.. Grimes was not only in favor of carry
ing the African into the war, but for paying
him thirteen dollars per month, and for plac-
ing him on footing with other soldiers.
Mr.. Cowan said If We were going back for
these colored men he was in favor of going
back for the white men, who were our earliest
volunteers, and who had borne the heat and
burthen of the day. He was not in favor of
amending the statute to do justice to the ne
gro troops until equal and exact justice had
been done to the veteran white soldiers.
The amendment Of Mr.. Wilson's was then
adopted.
The amendment of Mr.. Doolittle, providing
that from the monthly pay of coored troops
mustered into the service in insurrectionary
districts the sum of three dollars per month
be reserved to reimburse the expenses incurred
by the United States in feeding and clothing
the widows and children of deceased colored
troops, was rejected after some debate.
Mr.. Carlisle said that in the old days of
peace the negroes had holidays on every Sat
urday afternoon, and as all persons are equal
under the law, he thought we were now en-
titled to one, and as half the afternoon has
been spent in the service of the negro, he
moved the Senate adjourn. After great
lhuSHlcI, AZ the mstaUCc Vi several SelaLOIs,
Mr.. Carlisle withdrew his motion.
Mr.. Sumner proposed proyiso that in all
cases Of past services of colored troops, where
it shall appear to the satisfaction of the Sec
rotary OF War from actual papers of enlist
ment that the troops were enlisted under the
act Of July, 1861, they shall be allowed the
pay promised by that act This was rejec ted,
yeas 16, nays 81.
Mr.. Cowan offered substitute for the bill
as amended, that from and after the passage
of this act all soldiers of the United States of
the same arm OF the service shall receive like
compensation.
Mr.. Cowan supported his amendment at
length, claiming that the negro must be re-
garded as citizen under the Constitution as
he received the protection of the laws.
Mr.. Salisbury said If that was the basis OF
the Senator's tCowanl substitute, it was alb
horrent to his tSaulsbury's) views, and he
would not support it. The old fashioned term
was "negro," now it was "colored citizens"
Mr.. Howe would ask if the negroes were
not "colored in Delaware ?"
Mr.. Salisbury doubted if they were as col
ored in Delaware as they were in some other
places. He would never consent to equality
either political or social with the negro.
Mr.. Cowan asserted that the negro had a
legal status under the Constitution which pro-
tected him.
Pending action on the substitute Of Mr..
Cowan, the Senate adjourned.