Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-12-21
CONGRESSIONAL,

SKNATE-After the close of our report yes
terday-
The Chair suggested, in reference to the bill
TO maintain the freedom of the inhabitants in
the States declared in insurrection and rebel
lion, by the proclamation of the President of
July 1st 1862, called up.by NJ. Wilson, that The
question before the Senate was the motion TO
refer the bill to the Judiciary Committee, and
ON this motion discussion of the merits of the
bill was not in order.
Mr.. Sumner said that in general question of
reference, II had been the practice of the Senate
TO admit discussion of general merits.
Mr.. Trumbull suggested that Mr.. Sumner be
allowed to proceed; and no objection was
maze.
Mr.. Sumner continued his remarks. He
said the bill was an excellent measure IL un-
dertook nothing more than the assurance of
essential TO carry out and maintain the procla-
nation of emancipation, to which the Govern
ment is pledged. He said it was the duty of
the National Government TO observe that
pledge, and not leave it TO the care of indi-
yiduals. He proceeded to quote from the
history of emancipation in Russia, TO prove il
70 be the duty OF this country to maintain the
freedom of emancipated slaves. The bill did
not go far enough, for it ought to include polit-
cal equality also; but this would come up in
another proposition.
Further consideration of the bill was post-
message was received from the House an
nouncing the death of Hon. w. kellogg,
member of the House from New York, and the
passage OF resolutions OF respect TO his
memory.
Mr.. Harris pronounced eulogy on the de-
ceased member, whom he spoke of in the high
est terms.
, Mr.. Trumbull made a report from the Com
mittee of Conference on adjournment, to ad- =
journ from Thursday. 2lst, to Friday, 5th. The
report was agreed to.
A communication from the Secretary of the
Treasury in response to the Senate resolution of
the 18th instant, was submitted by the Presi-
dent, pro tep,. ltis stated that but few persons
i'm haf arfxx n
not take the oath, and they were men who
were coerced from their loyalty to the Govern
ment, and those appointed under the customs
and revenue laws; of the latter no salaries had
been paid with one exception.
The Commissioners Of Customs reports that
most of the officers of customs have taken the
oath, while some have taken it in a modified
form. ,'- r. ~ -..
Mr.. Lawrence, of Ohio, submitted a series of
resolutions, which were laid on the table and
ordered to be printed for future action, that the
publict and security demanded that
Jefferson Davis. those responsible for the mur-
der and starvation OF our Unionlsoldiers, the
instigators of the assassination of President
Lincoln, and all great offenders of the late re-
bellion, should be tried, and, if convicted,
should be promptly punished.
Mr.. Washburne reported from the committee
of conference that when the two Houses ad.
journ on Thursday, the 21st INST, they ad iourn
TO meet on Friday, January 5th.
The House debated and passed the Senate
joint resolution authorizing the President to
divert certain funds hitherto appropriated for
the subsistence of destitute indians
On motion Of lMr. Stevens, it was resolved
that General Howard should report to the
House concerning farms and plantations turned
over to their former owners.
The Speaker laid before the House a message
from the President, enclosing a report from the
Secretary of State, on the Universal Exposl.
ten to be held at Paris In 1867.
Mr.. Hale, OF N. Y, announced the death of
his predecessor, Orlando Kellogg, and paid a
fitting tribute TO his character
The House concurred in the Senate resolu-
ton that the Committee on Manufactures re-
port a remedy for certain ineQ ualities i'm Inter.
nal Revenue tax which renders foreign impor-
tation cheaper than home manufactures.
Adjourned.