Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1865-12-20
Speech of John l.. Thomas. Jr.

BEN "A lie.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Il, 1S6'

Resojred. That the Secretary of War be directed
TO report ior the information of the Senate what
army and what number of officers are holding com
missions where such officers are stationed and what
duty they are performing; said report to include the
cavalry, infantry and artillery regiments, and to
state the number of men and officers in each compa-
n.y. battery and regiment, and what numb Der of men
are actually lit for and performing active service
with their commands or elsewhere.
- LEGISLATURE OF INDIANA.
The President pro tem laid before the Senate n
communication from the Legislature of Indiana in
forming him of the adoption by that State of the
constitutional Amendment abolishng slavery.
INCREASE OF PENSIONS.
- Mr.. Lane of Indiana, from the Committee on
Pensions, reported bill to amend a bill of last ses-
sion granting pension of $50 per month to those
who have served in the army and lost both feet in
said service. Adopted.
Mr.. Anthony offered joint resolution for increas-
ing the pond OF the Superintendent of Public Print
ing to So 0OO instead of the present amount Passed
HOW MANY MAJOR GENERALS IN THE SERVICE.
Mr.. Wilson introduced n resolution ipquiring of
the Secretary of War how many Major Generals are
now in service, where stationed and what duty they
are performing. Adopted.
HOLIDAY ADJOURNMENT.
Mr.. Anthony called up House resolution of ad-
{ourn1ment' and moved to amend by making Decem-
hcr q and January ). instead of December 20 and
January 9.
MIR. Hendricks moved to amend so as to make it
January 5th instead of Sd.
MIR. Fessenden called the yeas and nays when the
amendment to the amendment was lost by vote of
S nays to l3 ayes
Mr.. Anthony's amendment vas then adopted and
the resolution passed.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Ihe President pro. tca laid before the Senate the
reply OF the President of the United States to the
resolution of inquiry concerning the States recently
IN rebellion. incosng the reports of Lieutenant Gen
Grant and Gen. Carl Schurz.
The President says, in reply to the resolution of
inquiry that the rebellion has been suppressed, that
the United States are in possession of every State in
which the rebellion existed and that so far as c0ud
be done the courts have been restored postoces re-
established. and steps taken to put into effect the
revenue laws, As the result of the measures insti-
tutp1 ENpruIiyn tbn pnt,ln N,rth( (f,r
Ina. South Carolina, Georgia Alabama, Mississippi,
LOUISIANA, Arkansas and Tennessee have reorganized
their respective State governments and are yielding
obedience to the laws Of the United States with more
Willingness and greater promptitude than under the
circumstances could have been expected.
The proposed amendment to the Constitution
abolishng slavery has been ratified by each of those
States, with the exception Of Mississippi. and in
neafly an oi mem measures nave been adopted to
tia to their security. In Florida and Texas the
people are making commendable progress in restor-
ing their State governments. and no doubt will in a
short time be i'll condition to resume all their reIa-
tlons with the Federal Government. In that portion
Is more promising than could be expected under the
circumstances. The people throughout the entire
South evnce desire to renewtheir allegiance to the
Government. An abiding faith is entertained that
their actions viii conform to their professions, and
that in acknowledging the supremacy of the laws of
the United States, their loyalty will be given to the
Government whose lenieney they cannot fail to ap-
precae, and whose fostering will soon restore
them to prosperity. 1t is true that in some of the
States there are occasional disorders, but these are
local IN character, not frequent in occurrence, and
are rapidly dsappearngas the authority of civil law
PerpleXng questions were to be expected from the
great and sudden change in the relations between the
two races, but systems are developing themselves
der which the freedman will receive the protection
which he is Justly entitled and by of his labor
make himself a useful member of the community in
which he has his home.
From all the information in my possession derived
from the most reliable authority. | fully believe that
sectional animoslty is rapidly merging itself into
nj t1ny1
nected with proper system Of taxation will result
IN harmonious restoration of the relations of the
smS, sptg to the NatSns Union The report Of Carl
Senate No IeFGTt @ from hs 9R Ds John Coy9de has
to the accompanying report of Lieut.. Gen. Grant,
who recently made tour of inspection through seve
raj of the States, whose inhabitants participated in
the rebellion.
Mr.. Sumner called for the reading of Gen. Schurzs
report.
Mr.. johnson objected stating that lie thought il
unnecessary at this time, and hoped the gentleman
would withdraw his motion,
Mr.. Sumner insisted, and the reading of the report
was proceeded with
Pending tie reading of the report
Mr.. sherman moved that the further reading be
dispensed with and the papers be printed.
Mr.. Sumner stated he had no objection to such dis
posa of the papers II Mr. Sherman insisted, but he
wished to say that they were papers of the utmost
Importance to the country at large, and he thought
they should be considered and disposed of at early
period as possible, terming them species of white
washing similar to that of Franklin Pierce during the
Kansas trouble.
Mr., Doolittle denied the imputation and hoped
the gentleman would modify or retract his assertion
Mr.. Sumner said he had nothing to modify or re
tract and stated that in former times there was one
Kansas; now there are eleven.
Mr.. Dixon, in a few remarks, denied the imputa-
ton OF species OF whitewashing the part of the
President in his message.
Mr.. sumner said he had no intention to reflect
upon the patriotism or truth of the President but
when he spoke he referred to the document which
had Just been read,
Mr.. Trumbull deprecated the discussion and stated
calculated Ia p1h int
Mr.. Sherman motion was then adopted.
CALL FOR GENERAL HOWARDS REPORT.
Mr.. Wade presented a resolution requesting the
President, if not incompatible with the public in
terests, TO communicate to the Senate General How
ards report concerning the seeded States, and the
operations of the Freedmen's Bureau therein
THE COURT OF CLAIMS.
Mr.. Wiley introduced bill to amend an act to re-
strict the jurisdiction of the Court of Claims and
termasters stores approved July 4th 1861 by striking
out the words I'm States not in rebellion in second
and third sections. Referred to the Committee
Military Affairs.
Mr.. Morrill, introduced bill to provide for the de-
fence of the Northeastern frontier 1t provides that
the Secretary of the Treasury be required to audit
and fix the amount Of one dollar and twenty-five
cents per acre TO The state OF 3ane Tor the land
signed to settlers, under the treaty of Washington,
August 9th. 1872 and the payment of monies due to
Maine on account Of advances made to the United
States during the war with Great Britain. And that
the Secretary of the Treasury pay out to the State of
Maine, for the use of the North American Railroad
Company, an amount Of United States bonds equal
in amount to the Indebtedness Of the United States
to said State. That the bonds shall be Of 81 900 each
payable in 20 years. bearing interest at the rate of
per cent. Referred to the Committee on Foreign Re-
lations, and ordered to he printed
U. S. MILITIA.
Mr.: Wilson introduced bill to establish uniform
militia throughout the United States. 1t provides
that every male able bodied citizen, between the
ages of twenty and forty, shall be enrolled.
Section provides for the exemptions from militia
duty.
Section provides. that no idiot, drunkard. vaga-
bond or pauper person convicted of any infamous
crime, shall be allowed to serve in the militia.
Section provides for the arranging and appoint
ment of officers their number and rank.
Section provides for the establishment of Bureau
of Militia in the War Department.
Section provides that whenever called out and ac
cepted by the President they shall be allowed the
same pay officers and privates in the regular army
Section 10 ropeals an act approved May Sth, 1872
entitled act to establish uniform militia through
out the United States Referred to the Committee on
Military Affairs.
FREEDMENs BUREAU.
Mr. Doolitle introduced bill requesting the Pres
ident to extend and maintain branch of the Freed
mems Bureau under the control of the War Depart
men in all States parts ofIStateS wherever in con-
sequence ol the war any person previously held to
Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr.. Fessenden presented the memorial of Lieut.. R.
B. Refill, praying to be promoted to the rank and
Committee on Naval Affairs.
The Senate. at o'clock, went into executive ses-
sion. - -
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Mr.. keso, OF Missouri, arose to privileged ques-
ton, asking for an extension of time of 60 days
obtain supplementary evidence in relation to the
contestancy for his seat. As he had been good SOL
dier and served his country faithfully he hoped the
House would accede to this indulgence.
Mr.. Dawes, of Mass, moved to refer the matter to
the Committee Elections, stating that the law
prescribed an ample time for consideration of such
subjects Agreed to.
message received from the President trans
mitting communication from the Secretary of War
in relation to freedmen which, motion, refer
red to the select committee Freedmen and appro-
priation.
REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS OF MARYLAND.
Mr.. Farnsworth, of Illinois, introduced resolu-
ton that, whereas it is alleged that Benjamin G.
Harris representative elect from the Fifth District
of the State of Maryland, who was in the month of
May last, before very respectful and intelligent
court martial tried and convicted by said court mar
tal of the charges and specifications of violation of
56th Article of War; by giving aid and comfort the
public enemy, and instigating them to war against
the United States declaring at the same time his
sympathy with that enemy, and that it was proved
the said trial that he expressed his regret that the
assassination of the late President Lincoln came too
late for the benefit of the rebelious States There
fore,
Resolced That the oath taken by said Benjamin G.
Harris before this House is Inconsistency, mas
much as the court martial before which he was tried
sentenced him from forever holding any office of trust
under the jurisdiction of the United States and be it
further
ResOlUed, That the Committee on Election shall
report to this House such action as they may recon-
mend, and that the said Committee have power to
send for any persons or papers connected with the
case.
Mr.. Dawes, of Massachusetts,, thought it would be