Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-01-10
8pg GslegrapB,
FOR AfternoOniReport see ISt Page
CONGRESSIONAL.
WAsH1NsToH, Jan. 9, 1864.
SENATE.

Tue ;poaro OF Trade of Racine, Wisconsin
IN relation to the establishment of naval
depot on the western lakes.
Mr.. Sherman presented the memorial of
the PRESIDENT of the Refugee Relief Society
OF Ohio, asking for an appropriation Of
money for the support of Southern refugees,
MIR. Sherman said there were thousands
OF loyal refugees in the cities of Cincinnati
st. Louis and Louisville, ald their condi.
ton was deplOrable. Not less than one
hundred thousand white people had been
rendered homeless and were scattered
through the south by the fortunes of war.
he thought Congress ought to do something
in the matter, but he did not believe the
appropriation of money would be the most
lndlclous means of relieving them. He
thought the government ought to give
them work to do for the army, such as the
manufacture of clothing, SO; or a law
might be passed giving them the use of
lands subject to contiscatiou. He wished
the memorial to be referred to the Com
mtttee on Public Lands, and it was so
referred.
Mr.. Wilson, from the Military Committee.
reported back the resolution to Distribute
the proceeds of the cotton captured at
Savannah among the officers and soldiers
OF Gen. Sherman's army, with the unaui.
nitely postponed, and it was 30 ordered.
Mr.. Anthony offered the remonstrauce
of the National India Rubber Company
against the extension of Goodyear's patent,
which Was referred to the Committee on
Patents.
Mr.. Doolittls offered a resolution direct
ing inquiry into the treatment of the In.
dian tribes by the civil and military an.
thorities. Referred to the Committee on
Indian Affairs.
Mr.. Doolittle called attention to a letter
from an officer stationed in Colorado in
reference to the alleged brutality of Col.
Chevington toward certain Indians, stating
that he slaughtered them, plundered them
and had no mercy.
"A resolution was offered directing the
Judiciary Committee to enquire what leg
islation was necessary to enable the Pres.
ident to call an extra session of the seth
Congress without giving the sixty days.
notice now required, which was adopted.
On motion OF Mr.. Wilson the joint reso-
luton freeing the wives and children of
colored soldiers, was taken up.
Mr.. Salisbury spoke against the resolu-
ton. he opposed the measure before the
Senate on the ground of policy and hui
manity, and because he was opposed to the
legitimate rules of war. This policy pro-
posed by the party in power was too un-
certain. Gen. Scott had expressed his
opinion against the right of Congress to
interfere with slavery in the States.
Mr.. Davis moved toamend the resolution
SO as to make its action prospective only,
and not retrospective and prospective as
reported by the Military Committee. He
regarded the resolution as violation of
the Constitution, but if it must pass he did
not see that freeing the wives and children
of those already in the service was encour-
aging enlistments, and he therefore hoped
that it would be made to operate only in
the cases of those who should hereafter
enlist,
Mr.. Clark hoped the amendment. would
not be adopted, and spoke briefly against it,
Mr.. Pomeroy spoke in favor of the res
olution.
Mr.. Hendricks argued against the prop.
osition before the Senate, though he
believed that vote for it would be vote
in favor of the slave owners, because the
male slaves had all been put into the army.
1t would be benefit to slave owners to be
relieved from the care of the women and
children.
Mr.. Wade thought the proposition before
the Senate was so plain that it would need
no argument. 1t ought to have been
passed when Congress decided to take
colored men into the army. He denied the
right of the Republican party in time of
peace ever to interfere with slavery in the
States, but when the war broke out and
slavery tried to kill the government, the
case became different. Slavery was re-
cognized 0y the rebellion, and he hoped
there would be no peace until it was abol-
ished.
The war was in the commencement
strictly defensive, but now he hoped it
would continue for thirty years if neces-
sary, or until the nation was bankrupt,
rather than that it should end before the
abolition of slavery. He was glad that the
South had held out and he hoped they
would hold out in their blindness until
they necesaitated the only thing that would
give us lasting peace.
Mr.. Davis resumed in opposition to the
resolution.
Mr.. johnson disputed the authority of
Congress to pass such resolution. There
was no doubt of the authority of Congress
to enlist slaves or of its right to amend
the Constitution 80 ss to abate slavery.
HOUSE.
The House proceeded to the considera-
ton of the Senates amendment to the
Constitution to abolish slavery everywhere.
Mr.. Yesman, gave reasons why he should
vote for the proposition.
Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont, spoke in favor of
the resolution expressing his surprise that
gentlemen should refuse even to give the
people the opportunity to say whether
the great wrong of slavery should be
abolished.
Mr.. Odell, favored the amendment. the
time had come when the Democratic party
should cut loose from slavery and turn
their backs on the dark past and their eyes
to the bright future.
Messrs. Voorhees, aud Clay severally OPP
posed the resolution. During the debate
the House took up and concurred in the
Senate's amendment to the Pension ap.
preparation bill.
Elijah Ward introduced bill directing
the Secretary ofthe Treasury to refund the
tax the Committee voted on spirits, prior
to March 7th. 1864 Referred to the Com.