Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-01-06
CONGR ESSEONAL.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.
SENATE.

DC4N n Il.
The Chair presented a communication
from the Governor and Legislature of Ne
vada, asking that Congress take no action
on the bill to tax the mineral lands of that
State until the newly elected Senators from
Nevada take their seats. The communica-
tion was ordered to lie upon the table.
The Chair laid before the Senate copies of
the organic laws of the Territory of New
| Mexico.
A communication from the Secretary of
| War in reply to resolution calling for the
| report OF General Heron upon the condi-
tion of military affairs in Arkansas, was
read, stating that the report had not yet
been made.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson, 1900 copies of
the Coast Survey Report were ordered
printed for the use of the Senate, and 5000
for distribution for the office by the Super
intendanJ of the Coast Survey.
Mr.. Conness introduced bill to regulate
steamboat inspectors on the Pacific coast,
| which was referred to the committee on
| Commerce.
MIR. Nesmith presented a bill to allow
| mileage 10 justices of the Supreme Court
of the United States, and moved that 1t be
referred to the committee on Finance.
Messrs. Foster and Sherman thought it
should 20 to the committee on Judiciary,
anu III WlS So REFERRED.
Mr.. Ramsey presented bill to aid in the
| construction of a telegraph line from St.
Cloud, MIMI, to the British Possessions,
which was referred to the committee OH
Public Lands.
Mr.. Grimes presented the following res
olution, which was adopted:
ResOlred, That the Secretary of War be
directed to inform the Senate the number
of men enlisted in the naval service of the
United States that have been credited in
the military quotas of the respective States,
and upon what evidence such credits were
made.
Mr.. Foster offered a resolution, which
was adopted, instructing the committee on
Military Affairs to inquire into the expedi-
ency of reportinga bill to distribute the
proceeds of the sale of cotton found in Sa-
vannah among the soldiers and sailors of
ciple that naval prizes are distributed
among officers and men of the navy.
On motion of Mr.. Sherman, the pension
appropriation bill was taken up.
A letter from the Secretary of the Inter-
ior was read, recommending the supply of
deficiency in the appropriation under the
acts of 1918 to 1S53-$65,000- under the
acts of 1858 and $3,500,O0O. During
five months of the present fiscal year
$2,029 l65 have been drawn, leaving but
$l64,465 uneXpended, which will scarcely
suffice for the expenditures to the middle
of the present month. The bill was then
passed.
The Senate next proceeded to the consid-
Grafton of Wilson's joint resolution to make
free wives and children of slaves who en-
list in the army of the United States. The
question was upon the reference to the Ju-
dietary committee, moved by Mr.. Davis.
Mr.. Wilson hoped the resolution would
be passed to-day. He had received letters
from officers of the army engaged in the
recruiting service, and they all indorsed and
approved this measure. He did not wish to
detain the Senate by discussing the PROPOSE
ton. If Senators would refer to the Globe of
last session they would find debate for
hours. He hoped now for action.
Mr.. Doolittle was in favor of the motion
to refer the resolution to the committee on
the Judiciary.
Mr.. Wilson, can't consent to have this
resolution referred to the committee on the
Judiciary. The Senator from Wisconsin
tells us there is an amendment to the Con-
sttution pending, and that he has strong
hopes it will pass the House of Representa-
tives on Monday next. | had hoped last
week that that measure would pass
the House. | have more doubt of
it now. Whether it passes or not
the Senator from Wisconsin knows, and
we all know, that it cannot and will not be-
come part of the Constitution for many
months, for two years at least, it may be
three or four, but certainly not within the
next Is months. The facts are these: The
Congress of the United States, at its last
session, decided that man who shall enlist
in the army of the United States should be
thn ;t,,t;o
ity of that law, let him test it. Now, sir, |
the wives and children of the men we have
made free are held as slaves. We were told
from army officers at last session of Con-
gress how they were treated in Missouri
The facts were presented to the Senate and |
they shocked the sense of humanity. of eve
ry one who heard or read what was going
on there. The wrongs that have been per- |
petrated on wives and children of our col !
ored soldiers in the past year would shock |
the humanity and appeal to the justice of |
the people, if told to them. Of the power |
to pass such resolution l do not entertain |
a doubt. The most eminent lawyers of this |
country have so said. We may have to |
pay for these slaves. Probably we shall.
But as to our right to do so there can be no |
ought not to hesitate moment. We read |
already of what is taking place in the rebel |
States, and what jeff. Davis proposes to do.
They propose to give freedom to the slaves
and to give them an interest in lands
They who commenced the rebellion for the
sake of making slavery eternal, are now
talking about making slaves free, and they
will fight the battles of rebellion.
Mr.. Salisbury followed Wilson, and in
the course of his remarks said; shall
maintain the doctrine, when this question
shall come up for discussion in the Senate,
that not only have you not the right to
free the wives and children of negroes who
volunteer in our army, if they are from
States where slavery is recognized, but
you cannot give freedom to the negro vol
unteer himself If he is slave. There is no |
principle more clearly recognized in inter-
national law than this--that If a slave be |
captured from his lawful owner by one bell
ligerent, and he afterwards comes back into
the possession of the other belligerent, that
he reverts to his original owner.
Mr.. Sumner said all must confess the hui
manity of the proposition for enfranchising
the families Of colored persons who have