The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-07-27
CONGRESSIONAL
WAsH1NaroN. univ 28.

from the table and read.
Mr.. Sumner moved that they be re-
ferred to the Committee on the Judici-
ary, to inquire whether Mr.. Patterson
can take the oath. and cited the case oil
Mr.. StRrke, of Ohio, as precedent,
who was simply reported to have ex-
pressed sympathy for the rebels; while
he was Informed Mr.. Patterson had
acted as Judge under the rebel authori-
ties, and must have taken the oath.
Considerable debate took place on Mr..
Summers proposition, and the motion
to refer the credentials prevailed, by DC
to 81.
d tsJ HOUSE.
Mr.. Wentworth objected to dispens-
ing with the reading of the journal, as
he wished to consume as much time rs
possible with view of defeating the
proposition to vote 5000 a year to
members.
Mr.. o'Neill introduced a joint reso-
luton to except tugs and tow boats
safety of passengers, which passed.
Mr.. Ferry introduced bill bringing
half breed or other Indians in Michigan,
disconnected with tribal relations,
under the preemption and homestead
laws.
Mr.. Rice introduced Joint resolution
to contract with Miss Minnie Ream for
life size model of Lincoln, to be exc
cuted by her at cost not to exceed
$4,000. Passed.
On motion of Mr.. Hogan, the Senate
bill to refund taxes oVerpaid on esti-
mates of property and business was
brought forward.
The Senate bill granting lands to aid
in constructing the Atlantic and Pacific
railroad and telegraph line from Mis-
souri, and Arkansas to the Pacific coast
was resumed. Several amendments,
one among them changing the names
ofcorporators, and striking out all who
are members ofCongress, were agreed
to. 1t was stated that there would be a
width of three or four hundred miles
between each of the three lines, North
ern, Central and Southern.
The House proceeded to the consider
alton of the bill reported last Tuesday
from the commit! ZEE, authorizing the
payment of the reward for the Capture
of JEFF. Davis, and the assassinators of
President Lincoln,
Mr.. Delano offered a substitute for
the award of Judge Holt.
Mr.. briggs offered an amendment.
The following is the award of the
War Department in regard to the cap
tors of Booth and Harold, giving 80, $50
to Col. Baker, $500 to Lieut.. DOH
erty, $4,000 to each of the officers; to
Sergt. d. COrbet and other Sergeants of
90; and to The Privates $2,O36.
Mr.. Stevens protested against 1880
being paid to Col. Baker, a man who he
said Twas not out ofthis city at the time,
and who had made more money out of
the war than any other man.
Mr.. briggs said, Baker was building
a large Hotel in Lansing, Mich, out of
the money he made in the war.
Mr.. Hotchkiss scoffed at the idea that
Col. Baker was building a hotel and
said that was no argument against his
getting a share of the reward.
Mr.. Stevens remarked that the evil
dence furnished by the War Depart
ment showed that Col. Baker had done
no service at all.
Mr.. Hotchkiss contradicted that, as
serting that the evidence furnished by
the War Department gave Col. Baker
entire credit for having planned, orga-
niZed and executed the enterprise, and
gave equal credit to Lit. Col. Conger for
his efforts at the time Booth was shot,
&C., said that ut the time Booth was
dragging himself to the door of the
barn with his arms trailing, and evil
IDENTIFY intending to surrender, Corbitt,
who was then an insane man, and who
had since died in a Lunatic Asylum,
thrust his pistol through a creVice in
the barn and fired at random, the ball
striking Booth near the very spot where
the murderous ball hit Lincoln. Cor
bits view of the transaction was, that
he fired the shot because Providence di-
rected him, and Col. Conger came to the
conclusion that it was best to let the
matter pass.
Mr.. Schenck inquired upon what
principles the committee gave ST., 500
TO Col. Baker?
Mr.. Hotchkiss replied that they had
to give him the same as Mr.. Conger.
Mr.. Schenck inquired how the COM
mittee arrived at 81, 500 for Mr.. Conger?
Mr., Hotchkiss replied that it was by
comparing his services with those of
the others of the party.
Mr.. Schenck inquired whether in the
application of prize money there was
not law which gave the commander
ofan expedition, not being with the
expedition, or an Admiral command
ing squadron, one-twentieth of the
whole prize money, and whether, in
stead of giving one-twentieth to Mr..
Baker, they had not recommended his
getting nearly one-fourth, namely
81, 800.
Mr.. Hotchkiss replied that he was
not u sailor nora judge of a prize court,
and did not know anything about the
rules of prize distribution. The Com
mittee had gone into the matter by rule
of merit, the same as if they had been
jurors or referees. He went on to say
Iuhb II LeleHEdlIl Ldu deem SHOWN MN
from Lieutenant DOherty, saying that
a great fraud was being perpetrated,
and he wanted the American Congress
to stop the wheels of legislation and
wait till he was heard. Lieutenant
Doherty had been before him time and
again on the matter, and he had large
rolls of documents from him. He
wished TO avoid saying anything about
Lieutenant Doherty, but would say,
now, since Doherty had the impudencs
to say what he did say, that he
believed this Lieutenant DOherty was
a downright coward on this expedition.
H9 believed the evidence established
thar while five men were guarding the
tobacco house where Booth and Har-
roldwere, and while Conger was get
ting guard around, this Lieut.. Doher-
ty was lying under ashed, and no pow
er of Conger's could drive him out Of il;
and now Lieut.. Doherty came in and
claimed that he did the whole work.
Referring to the allusiOn to Bakers
wealth, he said that ay Baker was
a bankrupt, and that he had never re-
cetyed compensation In proportion TO
his services.
Mr.. briggs denounced the report of
the Committee as great outrage. He
admitted that COnger should get at
least $4,000, but he could not under
stand what influenced the Committee
to give. nearly one-iourth of the whole
amount to Col. Baker.
Mr.. Hotchkiss wanted the House to
take notice that improper influences
were not charged upon the Committee
by the gentlemen from Michigan.
Mr.. briggs disclaimed any personal
allusion.
Mr.. Hotchkiss remarked that that
was like wringing mans nose and
then telling him he meant no personal
offence, (laughturel. He repeated his
under the shed.
Mr.. Dawes inquired what right they