Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-02-21
CONGRESSIONAL.
WAsHMa1oN, Feb. 20.

On motl0n OF Mr.. AnconA, the Commlt
tse on the District of Columbia was in
structed to inquire whether the allegation
that the persons who were confined in thu
City Jail Cor criminal ofenses are sold Il
substitute brokers, and placed in the army
Fernando Wood offered resolution re
questing the Secretary of the Treasury K
consider the expediency of exporting t
foreign markets for sale the cotton now II
the hands of Government, 80 as to obtaiI
for the Governments the advantage of the
higher price in Europe for that article, i'm
porting coin to this extent, thus enhancing
the credit of the Government, and reducing
the premium on gold and exchange, with
other advantages.
Objection was made, and the resolution
went over.
Mr.. Cox offered 6 resolution calling On
the Secretary of the Treasury to commu-
nicste TO the House what amount Of gold
is in the Treasury, if any, not necessary
for the payment Of the interest on the pub
lic'debt, and for the sinking fund, has been
sold under the act of March 18th, 1864
what amount of rates of premium, and the
names Of agents engaged in the transac-
tons.
The resolution was tabled, by two ma
jority.
The House, by three majority, refused
to lay on the table the resolution heretofore
offered by Mr.. Eldridge calling upon the
President, the Secretary of State, and the
Secretary of War to furnish list of per-
sons held in confinement, but not convicted
of alleged ofenses against the Government,
with the particulars on this subject.
Further action on the resolution was ter
m ina ed by the expiration of the morning
hour. Mr.. Wilson, from the Committee Of
Conference made report on the disagree
ing votes of the two houses on the bill
smendstory Of the act defining the pay
and emoluments of certain officers of the
army, including the marine corps. In his
explanation he said all officers were paid
on equality, but were not to receive sddi-
tional pay for dischsrging the duties per-
tanning to brevet rank.
Mr.. Schenck replied that he would give
Colonels acting as brevet Brigadisr Gen
erals Corresponding pay, and SO of other
breVets.
Mr.. Wilson said the House had passed
the bill increasing the psy Of officers below
the rank of Brigsdier Genera's twenty-five
per cent, and that General Sherman's rec
concentrations for BreVet rank of certain
of his officers had been in the pigeon holes
Of the War Department for two years.
The conference report was disapproved,
and another Committee asked OF the Sem
ate.
The Speaker laid before the House q
communication from the Secretary of War
in response TO resolution, calling for
copy of General Morgsn's report in rels-
tion TO the evacuation Of Cumberland
Gap.
The Secretary of War says it cannot
for reasons mentioned, be at present furn-
hhed. Referred to Committee on Military
Affairs.
The House proceeded to the cOnsidera-
tion Of the bill providing gov vernment for
the States subVerted or Overthrown by
the rebellion.
Mr.. Davis of Maine, opposed the bill at
length. It was not founded on any prin-
ciple commonly called the war power Of
the Government. The We first section
provided for the appointment Of officers,
who will be multiplied to thousands, to
lord it over the miserable, poverty-stricken,
wrecked citizens of the rebellious States.
He said it would afford an asylum for
broken down politicians, whose presence
would darken the heavens like the locusts
of Egypt. In addition to these ills, people
would be made the objects Of free plunder.
He said the bill proposed to levy taxes to
the precise amount to which the Southern
people were liable from the last year, be-
fore they went into rebellion. The pro-
visions of the bill, if carried out, instead of
back people to loyalty, would have
an effect the reverse Of that. He expressed
an earnest desire that the government
should be re-estsblished by loyal citizens,
and not placed at the mercy of the sggre-
gated people in the disloyal States. The
policy that there could be no government
unless formed by the majority the loyal
people of the Southern states should be
left to work out their organize law in their
own way; that this bill, prescribing an
iron rule, would fail to become law.
Mr.. Schenek sent up to be read a dis
patch TO the Secretary of War from Lieut..
General Grant, saying that the Richmond
Examiner states that Charleston was eVac-
uated on Tuesday lsst. The resding of the
dispatch was succeeded by spplsse in ell
parts of the House.
Mr.. Fernando Wood congratulated the
House and the country that at last was
heard the language of Cancellation on the
side of the House. He con-
graduated the country that the gentleman
from Massachusetts, had uttered words of
and had spoken of the South
as a great people, and used language Of
kindness and respect towards them. After
all, it cannot be forgotten that the people
of the South are American citizens.
Heretofore we have heard threats of sub
iugstion and 8nnihilation, but not before
now had they heard that those people are
entitled to any rights, respect or regard
whatever. This gave him more hope for
his country than anything which had yet
trsnspirrd
He considered the pending bill as infa-
NOUS, unconstitutional, and as emenating
from the worst species of fsnsticism which
ruled the majority of the House. Because
certain States had done wrong in passing
their ordinances of secession, it did not
justify US in violating the Constitution.
Congress has no power to make condi-
tlons on which state may resume It's po-
sition in the Union. Whenever the peo-
pie of State should lay down their arms
and recognize the Federal Constitution
and laws, and send Representatives TO Con-
gress, be should like to see the power pre-
venting the return of those States.
The recent peace conference, though if
failed in its purpose, was calculated to give
the country hope. Since then the military
position has changed; but should they heap
Goals of fire on those borne down in the
dust and already weakened and almost
humbled, and impose conditions that will
render it impossible for them TO submit,
having regard to manhood and proper
He was for extending the
friendly hand to the South, and condemn
ed the bill as of an offensive and tyrannicsl
character.
Mr.. Leblond expressed his views against
the confscstion law as 8 subversion Of the