Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-02-04
CONGRESSIONAL.
THIRTY-EIoHTH ooNaREss.
First Session.


SENATE.
THURSDAY, February 4, 1864.
Mr.. Sherman presented a petition of the con-
tractors on the Overland Pacific Mail route, for
renewal Of their contract. Referred.
Mr.. Lane, Of Kansas, from the Committee
on Public Lands, reported back the bill to set
apart a portion of the State of Texas, with
amendments, which was ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Sumner offered a resolution which was
passed, requesting the President Of the United
States, II not, in his opinion, incompatible
with the public interest, any correspondence
relating TO a RECIPROCITY treaty between the
United States and the Sandwich Islands.
Mr.. Wilson called up the joint resolution to
equsllZe the pay Of soldiers In the United States
army, which puts colored soldiers on the same
footing as white soldiers, excepting as regards
bounty, from the time thoy were enlisted.
Mr.. Fessenden said he did not see the use
OF going back and giving the increased pay for
the time already passed with regard to the col
ored troops, though he was willing to put all
soldiers on the same footing In the future.
Mr.. Wilson was satisfied that this bill should
be retroactive. Many Of the colored soldiers
had enlisted on the understanding that they
were TO receive the same compensation as white
soldiers. Massachusetts was authorized by the
Secretary of War to raise two colored regi-
ments, and they werc;i 1t was supposed, to re-
celVe the usual pay.
Mr.. W. read letters showing that the 54th
Massachusetts colorcd regiment had never yet
received cent OF pay, as they declined Il uu-
less the promise made was carried out, and vet
they had lost many men In battle and BY dis
ease.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Mr.. Stevens, from the Committee Of Ways
and Means, reported the bill making appropri-
ations Tor the construction, preservation and
repair OF fortitcations, for the year ending
June 30, 1865.
Mr.. Steele, OF New York, reported a bill es-
tablishlng Justices courts In the District of
Columbia, and for other purposes.
Also, the House bill authorizing the con-
struction OF penitentiary, Jail, and house of
correction In the District OF Columbia.
Mr.. Thomas introduced bill 10 incorporate
the District OF Columbia Railroad Company.
Mr.. Hale, from the Committee of Claims, re-
ported bill providing for ascertaining and
adjusting claims against the Government for
injury and destruction Of property, by order of
the military authorities.
Mr.. Ambrose W. Clarke, from the Comm itteo
on Printing, reported resolution for printing
ten thousand additional copies OF the foreign
correspondence for the use of the State Depart
ment.
Messrs. Davis, of Maryland, Pomeroy. Cox.
and Others advocated the passage of the reso.
luton; and Messrs. Stevens, Dawes, and Wash
burne, OF Illinois, opposed 1t.
The resolution was adOpted-yeas llS, nays
II.
The House resumed the consideration of tho
resolution amendatory of the con tiacation act.
Mr.. woodbridge, Of Vermont, made speech
In favor OF conhscation. The rebels, he said,
had violated the contract, and II was our duty
to restrain their persons and take away from
them their property.
Mr.. Cox made an Intellectual motion to Law
the hill on the table.