Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-12-19
xxxIXTH CONGREss-FIRsT SESSION.

TUESDAY, December 10.
SENATE.-Mr. Wilson offered a resolution
calling upon the Secretary of War for de-
tailed statement of the numerical strength of
the regular army-the number of officers and
men, where stationed and how employed, etc.
Adopted.
Mr.. Law, from the Committee on Pensions,
reported bill to amend n bill of last session,
so as to include those who have served in the
pension for the loss of both feet Passed.
MIR. Morrill, introduced a bill TO incorporate
the Potomac Navigation and Transportation
Company; which was referred to the Commit.
tee on the District of Columbia.
Mr.. Wilson introduced a resolution calling
upon the Secretary of War for information as
to the number of Major Generals and Brigadier
Generals of Volunteers now in the service
where stationed, how employed, etc. Passed
MT. Anthony called up the House resolution
for the adjournment Of Congress from Wed.
nesday next to the 9th OF January, and moved
TO amend by inserting Thursday instead of
Wednesday, and the Sd OF January instead of
nr hendricks moved to amend Mr. Aptho-
ny's amendment by striking out the Sd and in
sorting the 5th of January, on which motion
Mr. Fessenden called the yeas and nays Mega
tive, yeas ID, nays %. The question then re-
CURED on Mr.. Anthony's amendment, which
was then passed.
MT Trumbull gave notice of a bill to enlarge
the powers OF the Ereedmen's Bureau, so as TO
States, and protect any individual in the fun
enjoyment of the rights of person and proper.
ty, and furnish him the means of this yindica-
ton.
that whereas, in the month Of May last, Benz
G. Harris, representative from the Fifth Con.
gressional District CT Maryl land, was tried be.
fore very respectable and intelligent court
martial, and con icted on the charge and spe-
cifcation, to wit violation OF the fifty-sixth
article Of war, to wit: with giving aid and COM
Tort TO the public enemy, and melting them to
continue the war againet the United States;
declaring sympathy with the enemy, and op-
position to the Government of the United
States Its efforts TO suppress the rebellion all
OF which is inconsistent with the oath taken as
member OF this House, and whereas il was
proved at such trial that said Harris expressed
his regret that the assassination of President
Lincoln came too late to be of any use to the
rebels, and at the same time declared that Jeff
frrson Davis was a great and good man: and
whereas the said court sentenced the said Har-
ris, among other things, to be forever disuuaIi-
fed from hereafter holding any Office of honor.
trust or profit under the United States; and
whereas such sentence was approved by the
President OF the United States, therefore
Resolved, That the Committee of Elections he
instructed to inquire into the facts of the case
and report the same TO the House, together with
such action as they may recommend; and to
aid such investigation they have power TO send
for persons and papers
The resolution was passed, yeas I27, nays 81.
MI Washburne, of Ill, from the Committee
on Commerce, reported q bill declaring every
railroad worked by steam shall have the right
TO carry passengers, mails, freight, and Gov.
eminent supplies from one State to another and
receive compensation therefor.
Mr.. ONeil, of Pa, wanted the bill referred to
the COMMITTEE on the Judiciary, as 1t involved
important legal questions.
Mr.. Washburne was little surprised at the
gentleman. The same bill was passed twice by
the House AT the last session, and the right to
pass ii was plainly given in the Constitution
in the clause to regulate Commerce among the
States.
Mr. Garfield also briefly advocated its pas
sage.
MIR. John l.. Thomas, Of Md, conceived this
TO be a dow aimed at that State, and wanted
time for defense.
Mr. Rogers, of N. J., said the main object
was TO strike at his State as well as at MARY
land, and lnterfered with chartered rights.
Mr. Washburne said there was nothing in
the bill about those States. 1t was q general
The bill was passed.
Mr.. Washburne, OF H., reported an amend