The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-01-31
CONGRE ssIONAL.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 80

SENATE.-Mr. Salisbury said he had a
petition i'm his hand, which he had been
requested to present He would say
nothing favorable or otherwise as to Its
contents He presented it because its
author, as citizen, had the right OF pc
tition The petition was read by the
Clerk. 1t sets forth that the Singleton
and Blair mission had failed, that there
was no hope of peace through negotia-
ton, that Spain, Austria and France, and
the Pope, had combined to recognize the
South, that to that end France and Aus
tria had entered upon division of the
Mexican States to acquire California,
that the issue between the North and
South is independence or determination,
under which banners the people must dl-
vide and rally, that the South IL not con
quered, as shown 10y her spirit and her
ability to purchase her independence
from Europe, and By the late declaration
of General Sherman that the war had
hardly commenced The petition there
fore prays for the immediate recognition
of the COnfederacy to secure the great
Several Senators interrupting-"Whose
petition is that" Its Colorado levitt"
Mr.. Sherman-I would inquire if it is
customary to read petitions when pre-
sented
The Chair-He put the question If
there was any objection to the reading
of tho petition, and heard none.
Several Senators now objected and the
reading was suspended
Mr.. Nesmith asked leave OF absence tor
his colleague, Mr.. Harding, for the re
mainder Ofthe session, on account ot Ill.
ness, which was granted
Mr. Sherman, from the Finance com
mittee reported the House resolution re
ducing the duty on imported paper, with
an amendment striking out three and III,
serting fifteen per cent. 1t was ordered
to be printed ,-.
The resolution of Mr. Davis, Tor the ap-
pointment of special committee on the
corruption of the government in all Its
departments, was taken up.
Mr. Hale said he should oppose the
formation of any more committees to III
vestigate frauds until action be taken on
the cases already brought before the
Senate for investigation. lie then read
extracts from the report of the commit
tee oflast year on Frauds, &c, said re-
port implicating heads of bureaus III
certain contracts, and made long speech
rejecting severly upon the Secretary OF
the NAVY. continuing his remarks till
the expiration OF the morning hour.
A bill was introduced r. organizing the
Paymaster's Department. 80.
Another bill was reported Ill addition
To the enrolment act, providing Tor the
acceptance as substitute OF person
liable to draft The clause ofthe principal
OF lessrtion is stricken out, and the sub
sti ute punished by forfeiture OF the
right of citizenship.
The retaliatory resolution was taken
Messrs. Wilkinson. Wade and Chandler
favored it.
posed 1t.
Adjourned.
H0usE.-Slr. johnson. of Pa, moved
that 80 and 80 per cent. respectively be
added TO the salaries of Congressman and
ennloyees i'm civil service. ReiorTed to
committee on WAYS and Means.
On motion of Mr. Griunell, the commit
tee ON TIE Conduct of the War were in
structed to inquire into the treatment
by Genera! JEFF C. Davis of freedmen III
Georgia.
Mr., Ross offered the following resOlu.
tion:
Resolred, That Virginia, North Carolina
South Carolina. Georgia, Florida, Ala.
bama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and
Tennessee. are not entitled TO representa-
ton in the Electoral College, aud there
fore no such votes shall be received Oh
counted for President and Vice Pfesi-
dent.
The House proceeded to the considera-
ton of the navy appropriation bill
A resolution was adopted lnstTncting
the Judiciary committee TO enquire what
legislation Is necessary TO prevent the
payment Of transportation OF troops
over railroads who have received grants
Of land
Aresolution was adopted instructing
thu committees OIL Ways and Means TO