Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-02-11
CONGRESSIO
xXXvIIIrH CON GRESS.-PIRsT SESSION,
THURSDAY, February III.

SENATR.-On motion of Mr.. Hale, the Select
COMMITTEES on Naval Affairs, &c, was granted
leave to sit during the sessions Of the Senate
MI Anthony presented a petition from the
boatswa aims, carpenters and SALINE kers In the
Navy. asking that they be assigned some ran k
after five years service, as they are accustom.
ed to be entrusted with responsible service and
command over the men. Referred to the Ma
val Committee.
Stearns and others of Newton, Mass, praying
that the family OF Lieut.. White, the officer who
was killed in Maryland while attempting to
recruit the slaves Of Col. Sothoron, may re-.
celve portion OF the estate liable to confisca-
ton, Referred.
Mr. Sumner presented petitions from the
women and men Of the United States asking
for speedy universal emancipation. Referred
to the Committee on Slavery and Freedom
Mr.. johnson presented the petition OF Beni
M. Hodges and others OF the Baltimore Board
OF Trade, asking that in case OF a duty on to
bacco, a drawback be allowed. Referred to
the Commi ttee on Finance.
certain terms of the u S. Courts in California,
and 1t was amended and passed.
Mr.. Collamer, from the Committee on Post
Offices and Post Roads, reported back the petit
ton and bill relating to a postal and military
railroad in New Jersey, asking to be discharged
from further consideration Of the subject, and
that 1t be referred to the Judiciary Committee
Mr. Irumbull, chairman of the Judiciary
Committee) did not see why such a bill should
60 to that committee.
Mr.. Collamer explained that the question
was one involving the relative powers of our
Federal and State Governments. New Jersey
had granted charter and built a railroad en-.
tIrely within her own borders, bound by GER
tain restrictions, and while there was a general
statute OF the United States making all rail-
roads pest routes, there was constitutional
question as to the power of the Govern ment in
this matter for new or military road in q
State.
Mr.. Powell said the bill was simply one reg
ulating commerce between the States by post
ont mi Of fnnn mt
for the purpose of settling judicial and con-
stitutional questions, and he thought there was
no committee better suited to determine in re
gard TO this bill than that of which the gentle
man from Vermont Mr.. Collamerl was the
CT airman.
Mr. johnson said constitutional as we'll as
military power was involved in this connec-
ton.
KoUsR.-Mr Rice, of Main, introduced bill
appropriating $1,000 tor the rebuilding OF the
Presidents stable, destroyed last night by
flTe)
letter was read from Major b. b. French,
Commissioner of Public Buildings, saying he
this morning had a conversation with the Pre-
sident, who desires that the stable should be
built as soon as possible, Tor his convenience,
and that this subject be brought to the attention
of Congress.
The bill was passed-yeas 70, noes not count.
ed.
Mr. Chan!er, OF New York, offered resolu.
ton declaring that the facilities for travel he
tween New York and Washington are made
qua!e, and instrGcting the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs to inquire into the expediency OF
increasing the facilities between the two cities
for the transportation of troops.
Inc RESOLUTION was SO amended that the sub
ject be referred to the select committee on tho
subject, an passed.
Mr.. Smith of Kentucky, reported a resolu-
tion-that there be nad out OF the contingent
fund fifteen hundred dollars, as com pen sation
in full to A. p. Field, the same as ne would
have been entitled to If he bad been admitted
member from Louisiana for the Thirty eighth
Congress
The resolution was adopted-yeas 70, NAYS &c.
The House resolved itself into COMMITTEES of
the whole on the State of the Union, and re-
sumed the consideration of the Enrolment bill |.
Mr. Davis, of Nd, offered an amendment,
which was agreed to, proposing that the Score.
tary OF war appoint a commission in each Of
the slave States represented in this Con gress,
charged to award just compens alton, not ex-
coed $50, to each loyal owner of any slave who
may volunteer in the service OF the United
States, TO b. paid out OF communication money
on each man freeing his slave.