Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-01-09
CONGRESSIONAL.
WAsHINGToN,Jan. 7.
HOUSE.

On motion of Mf. Holman, the Secretar,
of War was directed TO inform the Hous,
why he has not communicated the informa
tion relative to the filling up of new regi
ments, asked for in December last, ant
further directing him now to send in the
same.
The House then resumed consideration Of
the Senate proposition for the amendment
OF the Constitution so rs to abolish slavery
Mr.. Bliss argued against such a change
as improper and destructive of the rights
guaranteed by the Constitution.
Mr.. Rogers also spoke against the consti-
| tuti0nality of such an amendment.
Mr. Davis, of New York, advocated the
| amendment, contendiDg that all men are
| entitled to freedom.
Mr.. Schenck, from the committee on Mil
| itary Affairs, reported bill, which was
passed, amending the law establishing an
insane asylum in the District of Columbia
for army and navy officers, so as to admit
insane civilians in the Quartermaster and
Subsistence departments of the army, Oh the
order of the Secretary of War.
Mr.. Holman introduced preamble, set
ting forth that the House, in December last,
adopted a resolution directing the Secreta-
ry Of War to furnish copies of the order is
sued in December, 1863, that recruits to fill
up old organizations should be mustered
out of the service with such regiments, and
also directing him to furnish a copy of the
letter addressed to Governor Andrew, and
asking the Secretary of Warto say whether
the principle therein contained had been
applied to all soldiers mustered in TO fill up
old regiments; and whereas, the resolution
has not been complied with, therefore,
ResOlred, That the Secretary of War be
directed to inform the House why the in
formation has not been furnished, and that
he be directed to furnish the same.
The resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Norris of Ohio, introduced bill au-
thorlzing express and other transportation
companies to sell unclaimed freight. This
was referred to the committee for the Dis
trict of Columbia.
Mr.. Grider introduced a bill providing
that the mothers of illegitimate children
who die in the military service or fall i'm
battle, shall be entitled'to receive arrear-
ages of pay and bounty the same as other
mothers. The bill was referred to the COM
mittee on Military Affairs.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson, a resolution
was adopted instructing the committee on
Judiciary to inquire into the expediency of
reporting a bill to exclude the testimony of
parties in interest in suits where admins
traitors, executors and guardians are partici-
pants.
Mr.. Grinnell introduced resolution in
structing the committee on Military Affairs
to report at an early day, on the expedien-
cy 0falaw to conflscate so much of the prop
erty of conscripts who have failed to re-
port for duty, as will secure soldiers in their
stead.
The House then resumed the considera-
tion of the Senate resolution proposing the
amendment of the Constitution so as to
abolish slavery throughout the United
States.
Mr.. Bliss, of Ohio, spoke of the impolicy
and unconstitutionality of amending the
Constitution in the manner designed.
Changes, he contended, could be made only
on the basis of compromise. The subjuga-
tion of the South and sway over it could be
accomplished by no other means than by
army, and in his opinion we could
not afford the blood and treasure which
would be required for that purpose.
Mr.. Rogers, of New York, said that there
was not power in the Government, by an
act of legislation, to interfere with the do
main OF any State, to control slavery or
any other institution the control of which
was not delegated to the General Gov
The institution of slavery, he
repeated, belonged to the State and no
of men can by legislative
abolish it therein.
Mr.. Davis, of N. Y, said that the argu-
ment of Mr. Rogers was that civil liberty
consisted in the right of one people to Ell
slave another. So far from this being true,
nature made all men free and entities them
to equal rights before the law, and on this
priciple the Government must stand, and
sooner or later it will be the recognized
principle throughout the world. Slavery
should find no apologist and defender
lmong those who represent the free States;
md slavery should die, because it is incom-
)atible with freedom and was undertaken
o destroy our Government and subvert our
He would ask the South to
ome back with free institutions, because
reedom only could make the Union per-
)etual.
Mr.. Higbee, of California, in his speech,
aid the people, by majority OF 100000
'Otes at the late Presidential election, had
ndorsed the emancipation policy. The
senate, at the last session, passed the Joint |
now under discussion, by more
han three-fourths majority, and although
vote of two-thirds was not obtained for
in the House, there was majority of |
hirty more than those who voted against
!. He alluded to these and other facts to
how that the duty of Congress was clear
nd well understood by the nation.
Mr.. Ashley, of Ohio, gave notice that he
'ould on Monday or Tuesday ask vote OH
ne pending proposition. Adjourned.