Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-01-10
CONGREssIOAL.
HOUSE.

The House proceeded TO the considera-
tion of tie Senate's proposed amendment
to the Constitution to abolish slavery ev-
eTywhere.
Mr.. Yeomau gave reasons why he should
vote for the proposition.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont, spoke in favor
of the resolution, expressing surprise that
gentlemen should refuse even to give the
people the opportunity 10 say whether the
great wrong of slavery should be abol-
ished.
Mr.. Odell favored the movement. The
time had come when the Democratic party
should cut loose from slavery and turn
their backs on tho daIk past and their
eyes on the bright future.
MessTs. VOORHEES, and Clay severslly
opposed the resolution. During the de-
bate the House took up and concurred in
the Senate'ssmendmentt to the pension and
appropriation bill.
Elijah Hard introduced bill directing
the Secretary of the Treasury to refund
tho tax collected on spirits prior to March
7th 1864, which was Jeterred to the Com
mittee on Ways and Means.
Adjourned.
Mr.. Doolittle presented g memorial Of
the Board of Trade of Racine Wis, in
relation to the establishment of a naval
depot on the western lakes.
Mr.. Sherman presented the memorial of
the President Of the Refugee Relief Com.
mission of Ohio, asking for sn sppropria-
tion of money for the support Of Southern
refugees.
He ssi1 there vera thousands of loyal
refugees in the cities of Cincinnati, st.
Louis and Louisville, and their condition
was deplorsble Not less than 100000
white people had been rendered homeless
and scattered through the South by the
fortunes of war. He thought Congress
ought to do something in the matter, but
he did net believe the appropriation of
money would be the most iudicious means
of relieving them. He thought the Gov
ernment ought to give them work to do for
the army, the manufacture of clothing,
&c, or law might be passed giving them
the use Of lands subject to confscation.
He wished the memorial to be referred to
the Committee on Public Lands, and it
was SO referred.
Mr.. Wilson, from the Military Commit
tee, reported back the resolution to dis
Hibute the proceeds Of the cotton captured
at Savannah among the officers and SOL
diers of General Shermans army with
the unanimous recommendation that it be
indefinitely postponed, and it wss so or
dered.
Mr.. Anthony offered the remonstrsnee
of the National India Rubber Company
against the extension of the GOODYEAR
patent, which WIS referred 10 ThB GuIu-
mittee on Patents.
Mr. Doolittle offered q joint resolution
direcLi g inquiry into the treatment of
the Indian tribes By the civil snd military
authorities, which was, referred to the
Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mr.. Do0little called attention to letter
from an officer in Colorado, in reference to
the alleged brutality of Colonel Ginning
ton toward certain Indians, stating that
he wantonly slaughtered and plundered
them, &c.
Mr. Pomeroy offered a resolution direct
ing the Judiciary Committee to INQUIRE
Whist legislation was necessary to enable
the President to call an extra session of
the Thirty-Ninth Congress, without giving
the sixty Gays notice now required, which
was adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson, the Joint
resolution freeing the wives and children
of colored soldiers, was taken up.
Mr.. Salisbury spoke against the resolu-
ton. He opposed the measure before the
Senate, on the ground of policy and of hu-
msnity, and because it was opposed to the
legitimate rules Of war. This policy, pro-
posed by the party now in power, was sb-
horrent to Napoleon, and General Scott
had expressed his opinion against the right
of Congress to interfere with the slaves
/ in the States.
Mr.. Davis moved to amend the resolu-
ton so as to make its action prospective
only and not retrospective and prospeo-
tive as reported by the Military Commit
tee. He regarded the resolution as a vio-
lstiCn of the Constitution; but if if must
pass, he did not see that freeing the wives
and children of these already in the ser
vice would promote enlistments, and he
therefore hoped that it would be made to
operate only in the cases of those who
should hereafter enlist.