Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-22
SENATE
WASHINGTON, February ls.


Mr.. Wilson, from the committee on conference
on the part of the Senate on the enrolment bill,
made report, which, after partial reading, was
ordered to be printed and made the order for to
morrow
The House provision for the $500 commuta-
ton is agreed TO with prvosO that it shall ex-
empt for no longer period than one year, and
that at the expiration OF that time such person
shall be again liable to draft.
The bill reported also frees colored persons
who may be drafted. IL provides that such troops
shall not be assigned as State troops. but shall
be mustered into the service as United States
colored volunteers
The District of Columbia business will occupy
the rest of the day.
petition from citizens Of New York praying
for the equalization of soldiers pay Without re-
gard to color, was laid on the table
A bill was introduced TO encourage emigration
and ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Conness introduced the following joint
resolutions:
|. That the Provost Marshal General be and is
hereby directed TO enlist such persons as may de-
sire to enter the naval service of the United
States, under such directions may be given by
the Secretary of War and the Secretary Of the
Navy, which enlistments shall be credited 70 the
appropriate districts; provided nevertheless, that
inasmuch as persons enlisted in the naval service
receive prize money, persons so enlistiDg shall
NV Oc cuebicu W ECCcifc OOuutl upOu buCit
enlistment.
2 That the President Of the United States
may. whenever in his judgment the public service
requires authorize and direct the transfer Of per-
sons who have been employed in the service and
are now enlisted in regiments for land service,
from such regiments to the naval service, upon
| terms, &c, according to such rules and regula-
tons as he may prescribe; Provided, that the
number of transfers from any company or regi-
ment shall not be great to reduce such CON-
! pany or regiment below the minimum of strength
required by the regulations of the military sery-
| ice: and provided, further. that such sum may
have been paid to persons so transferred as boun-
ty for enllsting in the military service shall be
transferred from the recruiting fund Of the naval
service to the credit of the proper appropriation
for the land service
On motion OF Mr. Grimes, the following
amendment adopted:
Be IL further resolved that there shall be paid
to each enlisted able or ordinary seaman hereto
fore enlisted into the service. an advance of three
| months pay, al bAunty to be refunded to Ghe
Treasury from any prize money to which such
seaman shall be entitled.
| The joint resolution amended was adopted.
Mr.. CONFESS explained that the joint resolution
| gives discretionary powers TO the President to
transfer seamen enlisted in the army to the navy,
and to maka up crews for sloVps of war to be
| sert to the Pacific Coast
soops to the Pacific Coast for its protection, but
by reason Of the great bountes paid to soldiers.
the Navy Department could no. get sailors, and
| this provision to meet the difficulty, and to
enable the government to send such feet to
the Pacific Coast will give it protection against
attack.
The Senate went into executive session, and
shortly after adjourned.
HOUSE.
A bill was passed providing for the govern
ment obtaining from the owners of Rock Island,
Illinois. a place to erect an arsenal.
The House proceeded on the consideration Of
the resolution to sell the surplus gold in the
Treasury
Mr. Hooper stated that the amount of gold on
band on Saturday last was nearly nineteen mil
lions Estimates show that on the LIST of July
there will be about thirty millions. The require
ments for gold from nov I'LL July LIST to make
the payments on the public debt will be less than
four millions, showing excess of twelve mil
lions which may be sold.
Mr.. Pendeton, as a member Of the Committee
on Ways and Means, differed in opinion with the
committee The amount to be realized would
be small and offered but little relief. The Sec
rotary of the Treasury has power to buy
gold, and he (Pendieton) would not trust any
officer with the power to sell gold, thus giving
him the opportunity TO raise or depress the mar
ket at his own pleasure.
Mr. Mallory of Kentucky ANNOUNCED the fact
that the Secretary of the Treasury has asked for
!, this power.
) Mr. Pendleton said that in the course of four
mouths we will have 10 pay an interest more than
} the amount of gold on hand
Mr. Brooks said that by the public record, gold
is solemnly pledged to pay the interest on the
public debt IL cannot be Invested without a
violation of faith. If a remedy is sought for re-
leying the Treasury Of its surplus gold, let the
July interest the public debt be anticipated.
The President has the sword and the Secretary
} the purse, and he stands the impersonation Of
despoiism if he chooses to exercise the power
At the conclusion of his remarks. Mr.. Brooks
earnestly appealed to the gentlemen to stand by
the specie basis.
Mr. Garfield advocated the resolution, saving
that according TO his estimate there will be in the
Treasury ON the LIST Of July next $50 900 900 in
} gold over and above what is required to pay the
interest on the public debt.
Mr. Boutwell,, of Mass, suggested and sup
ported amendment be desired to offer author
izing the Secretary of the Treasury to anticipate
the payment in gold of the interest on the public
debt at the rate OF per cent
Fernando Wood said the resolution was only
for temporary purpose and he was opposed 20 IL
for the reason that gold was required as the ba-
sis for sustaining the Government. He argued
that no nation could live by borrowing. and when
the expenditures exceed the income the result
would he bankruptcy, ruin and repudiation
Nc Kasson explained that the resolution only
proposed to appropriate the surplus gold beyond
the sums required by law 90 preserve the public
faith while it was true the resolution gave drec-
ton to the Secretary to sell the gold il was alb
soluiey necessary il should be No one could
say that the Secretary of the Treasury had not
observed all his obligations.
Me-. Dumoni opposed the resolution because he
believed il involved a violation Of the public
l faith
Mr.. Cox advocated the amendment that tho
sac OF the gold shall be bill bonds. with nj least
FIVE days notice.
| On motion of Mr.. Stevens, the resolution and
pending amendments were rocommitted TO the
Committee on WAYS and Means 70 be reported
back to morrow.
Mr. Clay OF Kentucky introduced bill which
\ was referred 20 the Committee on Ways and
Means. providing that where special or express
contract has been m ,de since January list. 1862,
| OF shall hereafter be made. upon the deposit OF
loan of gold for the payment Of such loan OF de-
posli IA gold. shall be legal tender for tie dis
charge OF such contract or judgment rendered
thereon. but gold TO the contrary, notwithstand-
ing. II. , .fr
Me-. Garfield introduced bill which was re-
fcrred 10 the Committee ON Military Affairs,
| 10 organize regiment OF veteran volunteer en-
4 gineers. lHH IIt
A joint resolution explanatory of certain acts
OF Congress relative 10 the SIS bounty Was re-
| ported 20 the Military Commltte and passed.
/ The bill establishing Freedmeu's Bureau was
| taken Up.
WASHINGTON, Februsr- 10. ~