The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-02-15
CONGRES SsIONAL.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IA.

SKNATE.-Mr. Wilson, from the Military
committee, made report tavoring the
appointment of discharged sailors and
soldiers to such civil Government offices
as they may be capable of filling. The
report was ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Harris offered resolution, which
was adopted, calling upon the President
for report of the court of inquiry upon
the subject of the explosion OF the Peters
burg mine.
The report of the committee OF conter-
ence on the freedmen's bureau was then
taken up.
Mr.. Davis addressed the Senate against
the report.
At one o'clock the further considera-
ton of the subject was postponed until
tomorrow.
Cowen moved to reconsider the reso-
luton by which authority was granted
for the construction Of bridge across
the Ohio river at Louisville. Cowon ar
uued that it would interfere with the
navigation of the river, which was OF
greater Importance than railroad could
be. 1t was sproposed to make the spans OF
the bridge only 24O feet wide, and 1t
would be found impossible to get steam
boats safety through such space. The
bridge at Steubenville was of 300 feet
span, and those at Cincinnati were to be
Of 1000 feet span. He was in favor Of
making bridge at Louisville like that
at Stenbenville He hoped the bill would
be recommended to the committee on
Postoffices and Post roads.
The yeas and nays were demanded on
the motion to reconsider, which prevail
ed by vote of l5 yeas against II. nays.
MI Cowen moved to amend the bill by
striking out 240 feet span and inserting
800 feet span, which was disagreed to.
The bill then passed as it stood origin
ally.
The bill entitled IAN act to regulate
commerce between the several States"
was then taken up.
Mr.. Sumner spoke at length in favor
of the bill, arguing the constitutonality
of the measure, holding that under the
Constitution Congress had the power tn
regulate commerce between the States, to
establish post routes and to raise and
support armies, under and one OF which
it could pass the bill under consdera-
| ton.
Mr.. Hale followed Mr.. Sumner, denying
the right of Congress to interfere III the
matter, for to do it was blow at the
Constitution, which he hoped would not
meet the favor of the Senate. The gist
| of the bill before the Senate, he said, was
10 raise the price of bankrupt corpora
tions from almost nothing above par,
Mr. Ten Eyck moved that the further
consideration of the subject be postponed
until Thursday at one o'clock.
Mr.. Ten Eyck's motion prevailed and
the Senate adjourned.
! HoUsE.-On motion of Mr. Orth, a res
olution was adopted requesting the Mill
tary committee to inquire and report at
the earliest possible moment what legls-
lation is necessary to secure the muster
ont of such men as enlisted for the un-
expired term of their respective regi-
ments, with the understanding that they
should be mustered out with their regi-
mentS.
The House rejected. by two majority
the Senate bill donating lands to Wis
consin for the construction OF ship ca
| nal from the head of Sturgeon bay to
connect Green bay with Lake Michigan
The House passed the Senate joint
resolution to extend for five years time
the construction of railroad from Flint
to Margueth, Michigan, so as to prevent
the lands heretofore granted from re-
vertipg to the Government.
The House then went into committee
Oh the amendatory tax bill.
On motion of Mr.. Morril, an amend
ment was made to the tax on locomotives
and engines, fixing the tax on all their
parts at five percent advalorum. When
the duties have been paid on the boilers
they had to be deducted from the finish
ed engines Water tanks, sugar tanks,
sewing machines and planning machines,
are to pay the same tax.
Mr.. Burtwell offered an amendment
which was agreed to, imposing tax OF
fivs per cent. advolorum on mauutactur-
ed clothing
Mr.. Stevens offered an amendment,
which was rejected, to tax vinegar aud
ascetic acid six per cent. per gallon.
Mr. Harper offered an amendment, one
object of which was to put tax on the cir
culation of State Banks, so ITO exclude
them from circulation and have but one
class of currency. 1t was to carry out
the recommendations Of the Secretary OF
the Treasury and the Comptroller OF Cur
t0ney.