Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-04-30
CONGRESSIONAL.
TnIR TY-EIGHTH CONC RE- y
First Session.
SENATE.
SATURDAY, April 30, 1864.

SATURDAY, April 30, 1864.
Mr.. Grimes presented memorial, signed by q
large number Of persons, occupying dwellings
and stores on Pennsylvania avenue, and streets
adjacent, constituting as they say, the principal
business part OF the city Of Washington, and
paying the larger portion OF the city taxes,
representing that few appropriations have ever
been made by the City Councils for said loeali-
ties, but thatlarge amounts have been annually
expended for the Improvement Of the suburbs.
They therefore pray Congress to pass law
requiring the paving, draining, cleansing, and
watering the said avenues and streets, under
the control Of competent engineer; the ex-
pensss thereof TO be betrayed by the property
holders. Referred to the Committee on the
District Of Columbia.
Mr.. Sumner introduced bill to provide for
the greater efficiency Of the civil service of the
United States. It provides for a competitive
system Of examination for office In the civil
departments.
Mr.. Wilson introduced Joint resolution con-
corning appointments In the military service.
II declares that no officer OF the regular or vol
unteer forces, whose appointment is required
by law to be made by the President, by and
with the advice and consent Of the Senate, and
who shall have resigned his commission, and
whose resignation shall have been accepted,
shall be entitled to hold or exercise command
In said forces until again appointed thereto by
the President, by and with the advice and con-
sent OF the Senate. Referred to the Committee
on Military Affairs.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr.. Garheld's resolution, TO appoint COM
mittee to investigate the truth OF the allega-
tIons made against Secretary Chase by General
Blair and Mr.. Brooks, was adopted.
The select committee consists of Messrs.
Garfield, Wilson, Brooks, Davis OF Maryland,
Stuart, Fenton, Dawson, Jsnkes, and Steele OF
New Jersey.
Mr.. Stevens, of Pennsylvania, from the Com
mittee Of Ways and Means, reported back the
tlon bill raising the pay Of the black soldier
equal, In all respects, to that Of the white SOL
dieT, excepting as 10 5ounty-the bounty to the
black not TO exceed hundred dollars month.
Mr.. Holman opposed the amendment, say
ing, among other things, the two races are not
equal either as citizens or soldiers. Besides,
the Government was supporting the wives and
children Of colored soldiers, while no effort was
made to increase the pay OF the white soldier.
Mr.. Eliot explained that the wives Of colored
soldiers were working for the Government;
and as TO the settlement at Arlington, he said
the contrabands there were making money in
excess Of their support.
Mr.. Clay, Of Kentucky, opposed the amend.
ment, charging that negroes OF Southern men
were stolen to be put into the army.
Mr.. Holman protested against the attempt
TO place black men on an equality with white.
Mr.. Stevens, OF Pa, advocated the amend.
ment, contending for the justice of the equality
Of pay, and eulogizlng the proves of black
soldiers.
Mr.. Kelley followed on the same side,