Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-05-03
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON; May 2.
HoUsE.

HOUSE.
The House took up and referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs, the resolu.
ton Of Mr.. Blaine, Ct Maine, calling on
the Secretary Of the Treasury TO state the
amount Of the debt incurred by the sever
al States to aid in suppressing the rebel
lion, and declaring as the judgment Of
the House, that all debts legilimstely
contracted should be assumed and liqUi-
dated by the general Government.
The House then took up the resolution
Of Mr. Harding, Of last December, deelar-
ing that the Union is not dissolved, and
whenever the rebellion, in any one Of the
seeded States shall be put down or sub.
dued either by force or voluntary submis-
sion to the authority Of the Constitution
and Laws, such State shall be restored to
all its rights and privileges under the Con
stiiution Of such State and the Gonstitu-
tuion Of the United States, including the
right TO regulate, order and control its
own domestic institutions, free from ell
Executive control.
Mr. Harding, Of Kentucky, said the
question turned on the fact whether the
Union is dissolved or not, and that when
ever q rebellious State is subdued or vol
UNFAIRLY returns to its allegiance, it is q
State in the Union, with all the rights BE-
longing TO it under the Constitution. Mr..
Harding said whoever voted against the
resolution threw himself into the position
Of saying that the Union is dissolved
None but q revolutionisi, disuuionist or
secessionist would oppose it.
Mr.. Epson, Of Michigan, moved to lay
the resolution on the table.
The motion Of MIR. Upson was agreed to,
yeas e., nays 56.
Mr.. Frank Of N. Y. presented the res
olution Of the Legislature ofNeW York, az
frming and deelaiming that the proclaim
alton Of President Lincoln, declsr-
ing the extinction Of slavery, vas
not only g necessary, but wise,
statesmanlike aud constitutional measure,
and should be made the fixed law Of the
land, and requesting the Representatives
and instructiDg the Senator'S from that
State to support sn amendment 10 the
Constitution Of the United Ststes, prohib-
iting slavery in any State. The resolu-
tion we're referred TO the Judiciary Com
mittee.
The House took up M. Wsdworth's re-
solution, declaring that the powers dele
gated to the United States by the Consti-
tuition, nor prohibited by il to the State
are reserved respectfully to the States or
to the people, and that the Executive can
neither directly or indirectly exercise
any Of the powers thus reserved or law
fully restrict or obstruct the exercise
thereof by the people.
Mr.. FaTnsWorth moved that the resolu.
tion be referred to the Committee on the
RehelliOus States.
Mr.. Cox moved to lay it on the table, in
order to get square vote upon it.
The motion was disagreed to by 119 In
the negative.
Mr.. Cox now asked for 3 vote directly
on the resolution, which he said merely af
frmed the language Of the constitution
but the House referred it to the Select Com.
mittes on Rebsllious States by vote Of 7C
against 90.
On motion Of Mr.. johnson Of Pa, thai
the committee for the District Of Columbis
were instructed to enquire into the expe
diency Of draining the city by culVerts
! and cleaning the Washington canal in or
| der TO preserve the health ofthe citv, which
is greatly endangered by the most delete.
rious missms and malignant stmospher,
from the surrounding hospitals.
On motion Of Mr.. Wilson of Iowa, a res.
olution was adopted calling on the Secre.
tary Of the Navy, to furnish all informs
tion concerning the construction Of thu
rebel ram which made the recent attack OF
the United States forces at and near Plym
outh also, why the construction Of thu
ram was not prevented and precsutior
taken against its action.