Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-02-16
THURSDAY. February Is

THURSDAY, February l5
SENATR.-The President pro tenn. laid before
the Senate a communication from the Secre-
tsry OF War, covering the report of Gen. Nor
riscn's inspection of the military district OF
Arkaneas. Referred to Military Committee.
MIR. Grimes presented a petition from Com.
manGers andLleut. Commanders OF the Navy,
praying restoration Of their pay to whati,
Naval Committee.
Mr.. Pomeroy presented the petition of col
ored man, Richard Foster, who has lost his
leg IN the present war, praying relief to pro-
cure cork leg, and 20 to school. Referred to
the Committee on Freedmen.
Mr. Sumner reported from the Com mittee on
Foreign Relations, the House bill directing the
Secretary OF the Interior to adjast and settle
the account OF the American Colonization So
clety for the support of recaptured Africans in
Liberia, and it was considered and passed.
Mr.. Dixon, from the Committee on the Dis
trict of Columbia, reported bill to amend the
bill Incorporating the Mutual Fire Insurance
Company Of this District, so as to allow them
to have $5O, 600 instead of $4,000 interest paid
in on premium notes
Mr.. Chandler reported from the Committee
of Commerce the bill TO enlarge the port of
entry and delivery OF Philadelphia, and 1t was
considered and passed.
Mr.. Morrill,, from the Committee on the Dis
tr1ct OF Columbia, reported back the bill to in.
portatlon Company, with amendments, as a
substitute.
MIR. Wilson introduced a bill to increase the
efficiency of the staff of the army. Referred to
she Military Committee. 1t proyides that oil.
GERS when assigned to an army "A military de-
partment. an army corps, or division, as
chief of the adjntant generals, of the inspector
generals of the quartermaster's, and Of the
subsistence departments, OF engineers Of ord.
nance, and Of artillery, shall have respective.
ly, while serving as such, the rank, paw and
allowances OF the following grades, viz
First, to an army or military department,
composed OF more than one army corrs,
the rank and pay of colonel of cav.
airy; second, to an army Or military de-
partment OF not more than one army corps,
the rank and pay of a lieutenant colonel of
cavalry; third, to a division, the rank and
pay OF major Of cavalry; and shall be so as.
sessed from the army Of volunteer forces by
the President. Provided, that nothing herein
contained shall prevent officers of higher grade
from being thus assigned without less of
rank; and provided further, that no officer thus
assigned shall have such increased rank or
pay when not actually serving as such Chief
Mr.. Foster, from the Judiciary Committee,
reported back the House bill to amend the third
section OF the civil appropriation bill of 1866
United States, with a substitute, as follows
ain the courts of the United States there shall
be no exclusion of any witness on account Of
color, nor In civil actions because he is q party
to- or interested in, the issues tried: Provided
that in actions by or against executors, admin.
istrators, or guardians, in which Judgment NAV
be rendered for or against them, neither party
shall be allowed to testify against the other as
TO any transaction with or statement nv the
testatcr, interstate, or ward, unless called to
testify thereto by the opposite party, or re-
quired to testify thereto by the Court, except
In cases arising upon contracts made with the
executor, administrator or guardian Of such
estate
MT. Howard introduced q bill granting lands