Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-01-13
CONGRESS.
THnRsnAY. IAN 4

THURSDAY, dan. D.
CONGRESS- re-assembled on Thursday, after holiday
adjournment, In the Senate, the Pension appropri-
alton bill was passed. A joint resolution to make
free the wives and children of slaves who enlist in
the Z. S. Army was discussed. In the House bill
to provide for the temporary government for the
new Territory of Wyoming, cut out of parts Of
Washington and Utah territories referred to
the committee ON Territories. A resolution proyi-
ding for the appointment of another Lieut. General
of lower grade, with view to confer the honor on
Gen. Sherman, was offered and objected to- A res
olution of thanks to Gen. Sherman and his army
was referred to the committee on military affairs
FRIDAY, jan g.
SESATE-Petitions for the abolition ofslayery and.
an increase of the pay of army officers receiy
ed. A resolution asking the Secretary of the lnte
ror for information in regard to the employment Of
pension agents in the various States was adopted
The bill to regulate proceedings in criminal cases
relating especially to the punishment of treason, was
passed. The bill to drop from the rolls of the army
unemployed officers was taken up, and after eonsid
cradle discussion was indefinitely postponed by
vote of % TO 8. Mr. Sherman introduced bill levy
ing a of twenty cents per pound leaf Tobacco
thirty cents eavendish, (plug and TWIST five cents
on smoking tobacco, ten cents on fine cut chewing
tobacco fifteen cents on snuff, ten dollars per thou
sand on cigars, and FIVE dollars per thousand on che
roots or cigarettes in paper wrappers sold for not
over fifteen dollars per thousand. Referred to the
Committee on Finance. The House resolution Of
thanks to General Sherman passed. Adjourn
ed.
HousE.-Passed the resolution of thanks to Gen
eral Sherman and command The Committee on
Ways and Means was instructed to consider the pro-
priety of providing for a commission of members of
the Senate and the House to examine and report on
a system oftaxation bearing equally the properly
and industry Of the country. The Senate joint
luton amending the Constitution as TO abolish
slavery throughout the country was discussed at
10th auf no Gnal Was a<pn II
SATURDAY, Jan. T.
The Senate was not in session Saturday
The House met as usual On motion of Mr.
Holman, of Indiana, Dem, , the Secretary of war
was directed to inform the House why he has not
communicated the information relative to the filling
up of new regiments, asked for in December last
and further directing him TO send in the same.
The House then resumed the consideration Of the
Senate proposition for the amendment of the Con
stitution 10 abolish slavery. Mr.. Bliss, of O.
hio, Dem. argued against such change as i'm
proper and destructive to the rights guaranteed BY
the Constitution. Mr.. Rogers, Of New-Jersey,
Dem. also spoke against the constitutienality Of
such an amendment. Mr.. Davis, of New-Yo
Union argued in favor Of the amendment. Mr.
Ashley, of Ohio( Union gave notice that he should
move the previous question on Monday or Tuesday
next, in order to get vote on the resolution.
MONDAY, Jan. o.
SENATE.-Several petitions for increased pay Of
army officers were presented. The Military Com.
mttee reported the resolution for the distribution Of
the proceeds OF the captured Savannah cotton among
Gen. Shermans army, with a recommendation that
it be indefinitely postponed Agreed to. Aresolu-
ton directing inquiry into the treatment OF the
Indiana tribes by the civil and military authorities
was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
The Judiciary Committee was instructed to report
what legislation is necessary to enable the President
to call extra session of the Thirty ninth Congress
without Sixty days notice. The joint resolution
freeing the wives and children of coored soldiers
then taken up. Mr.. Dawes moved TO amend, so
as to make the action of the resolution prospective
only After considerable discussion, theamendmen
was voted down, as were also one of Mr.. Powell,
that the owners of slaves shall be compensated and
another by Mr. Salisbury, that ST aes that have not
attempted to secede shall be exempted from the OPP
erations of the resolution. The, resolution was
passed by vote of 81 to 10. After an executive
session, adjourned.
The House of Representatives concurred in the
Senate amendmdnts to the Pension Appropriation
bill. bill directing the Secretary of the Treasury
to refund the tax collected on spirits prior to March
I, 1864, was introduced and referred to the Com
mittee on Ways and Means. The Senate resolution
to amend the Constitution so as to abolish slavery
throughout the country then discussed up to the
adjournment.