Evansville daily journal., 1864-03-09
The VERY LATEST
BY
TELE CIR a u II.
CONGRESSIONAL.
XlxYllith Congress...First Session.

WAsHNGToN, March 3.
SExATE-The petition Of III 1haver
aud others, presented on Monday. was
ircorrecty stated So lie in Iavar Of the
passage Of "a law eonfiscating the lands
OF rebels, and distributing them among
freedmen The netiton. in retiity, asks
Congress 10 confscate utterly, and with
out reserve, the lands of rebels, and rive
the same, without other formality than
/ occupation, 100 acres to each private in
the naval service, and to each man in
the rank and file of the Union army and
of the rebel army who will take the
President $ OATH of allegiance.
Powell called up the joint resolution
requiring the Secretary Of War to trans
nit the report and evidence of the mill
tary committee, of which Gen. Mellow
ell was President
Wilson opposed the cali for these pa
pers, as they were necessary TO be with
held, tdat they might be used in the pros
et tut on of officers who were culpable
Grimes considered it nothing but a
commission to fsh up testimony deroA-
atory to officers of high standing in the
army. He referred to the case of Gen
Curtis.
Lane, of Kansas, said if he was Presi-
deut or Secretary OF War he would con
slider it the highest honor that could be
paid him to be assailed by the Senator
from Kentucky
Grimes said the whole proceedings of
the missions were grossly in violation OF
the articles of war, which provided that
no such commission should be created.
except BY the President, and he was
wholly ignorant Of the formation Of such
Il commission
The resolution was informally passed
over.
The special order was taken up. being
the amendment Of Mr. Brown to pro.
mote enlistments.
Brown proceeded to address the SEN
ate at length, and to support his amend.
ment and the freeing of slaves as war
measure, and claimed the existence of
the power to free them, in Congress and /.
the Executive. He concluded his re
marks, fayoring a general emancipation
policy.
On motion Of Lane, of Kansas, a res
ohtion was adopted directing the Com
mittee or the Pacific Railroad to inquire
into the expediency of constructing a /
railroad from Fort Leavenworth to Law.
renee. Kansas.
Adjourned
lIoUsE-The House resumed the CON
s:deration Of the gold bill
On motion of Bartwell the bill was |
amended so as to authorize the Secre- |
tary Of the Treasury to anticipate the (
payment of the interest on the public /
debt from time TO time either with or
without rate OF interest as he may deem !
expedient
The gold bill, as above explained, was
passed. Ninety against thirty four.
Casson presented resolutions from the /
Iowa Legislature in favor of soldiers dis /
charged on account Of wounds and dis +
abilities being employed in situations
which they are competent to I'LL under f
the Government, and heartily endorsing
the paying of soldiers and sailors Of Al
rican descent the same as given whites
Tor similar service The resolutions
were referred to the Military Committee.
The deficiency bill was taken up
The House concnrred in the larger
number of the Senate's amendments in
Guiding $30,000,00G for transportation
and $l,Sj0,000 for regular supplies of
the Quartermaster's Department Ow +
ing to disagreement Con other amend
ments the bill Will be returned TO the /
Senate.
Schenck reported bill from the Mil /
itary Committee to drop unemployed
Major and Brigadier Generals, &c, &c.
Cox opposed the present considera-
ton of the bill, and its consideration
was postponed until Tuesday next.