The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-07-27
CONGRESSIONAL.
xxx CONGREss---FIRsT SESSION
WARRINGTON, July 20.
urr-Sr

WARRINGTON, July 20.
HOUSE.
Mr.. WENTWORTH objected to dispensing
with the reading of the Journal as he wished
to consume ms much time as possible with q
view to defeating the proposition voting
$4,000 year TO members.
Mr.. 0'NEILL introduced joint resolution
to except tugs and towboats from the provis
ions of the bin for the safety of passengers
on their vessels, which vas passed.
Mr.. FERRY introduced bill bringing
! half,breeds or other Indians disconnected
with tribal relations, under the pre- emptor
and homestead laws.
MIR. RICE introduced q JOINT resolution to
contract with Miss Minnie Ream for q
life size model and statue Of Mr.. Lincoln. te
be executed by her at a cost not exceeding
$4,000. Passed.
On motion of Mr.. HOGAN, the Senate
bill to remit taxes overcharged on estimates
Of previous rates of business was taken VI
and passed.
Mr.. BLAINE offered substitute following
the award ot Judge Holt
Mr. briggs offered an amendment fol
loving the offers of the Mar Department IL
regard % the capture of Booth and Harold,
giving 9ls. 20 TO Col Baker, Sl1, 500 to Lieu
tsns11t i-a'erty, $4,000 to each Of the detec.
ases; - Sergeant Corbett and the other ser
geant5et the rsrty. $2,9A5; to the corporals.
Sgt2ri e; and TO the pri rivates, S203 co.
Nt. sNENS protested against Sl1, SOC
being paid TO Col. Baker, man who, he
said, was not out OF the city at the time,
and who had made more money out Of the
war than any other man,
Mr.. HOfCHkISS scoffed at the idea that,
because Cnlonel Baker was bnilding hotel,
that was al argument against his getting q
proper share Of the reward.
Mr.. STEVENS remarke ed that the evidence
furnished by. the War Department showed
that Col. Baker had done no service at ALL
Mr.. IOfCHkISS contradicted that, as.
serting that the evidence furnished by the
War Department gave Col. Baker the entire
credit for having planned, originated and ex-
ecuted the enterprise. He gave equal credit
to Lieut.. Colonel Conger for his efforts at the
time Booth was shot, and said that, as Booth
was dragging himself to the door Of the barn,
with his arms trailing, and evidently intend
ing to surrender. Corbett, who was then Oh
the inside with man named Wade, who
had since died in a Lnnatic Asylum, thrust
his pistol through crevice of the barn, and
fired at random, the ball striking Booth neal
the very spot where his murderous ball strucl
President Lincoln. Corbett's version of the
transaction was that he fred the shot because
Providence directed him, and Cenger camt
to the conclusion that the best thing to be
done was to let the matter pass.
Mr. SCHENCk enquired upon what pre-.
text the committee gave SIT 500 to Coloue
Baker?
MIR. HoTCHKISS replied that they had tc
give him the same as Conger.
Mr.. SCHENCK enquired how the commit
tee arrived at SIT 500 for Conger?
Mr.. HOTCHKISS replied that they com
pared his sums with those of the others o
the party.
| Mr.. SCHENCK enquired whether in the
only kindred application of prize money there
was not law which gave the commander Of
an expedition, not being with the expedition,
IS an Admiral commanding a squadron, one
half of the whole prize money, and insisted
on giving one half to Baker. They had moi
recommended his getting nearly one fourth
namely SIT. 500.
Mr.. HoICHkISS'replie that he was not
a sailor, nor Judge of a prize court, and did
not know ANYTHING about the rules of prize
distribution. The committee had gone into
the matter by the rule of merit, the same al
if they bad had jurorsor referees. A tele-
gram had been shown him by Lieu
tenant Dohety saying that great
fraud was being perpetrated, and that he
would hike the American Congress to stop the
wheels OF legislation and wait till he wa,
j heard Lieut.. 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 Lieut.
I Doherty, but he wouldsa now, since Doherty
had the impudence to say what he did say
/ that he believed that Lieut.. Doherty was q
l1x, - ! IL. J.l. 4
established that while FIVE men we're guarding
the tobacco house where Booth and Harold
were, this Lieut.. Doherty was lying in the
shade asleep, and no power Of Conesr could
| drive him out of it, ard now Lieut.. Doherty
come and claimed that he did the whole work,
! Referring to the allusion to Bakers, he saic
! thai to-day Baker was a bankrupt man, and
/ that he had never received compensation II
| proportion 20 his services
Mr.. BRIGGS denounced the report of tht
i committee As great outrage. He admitted
/ that Coager should get at least $40 900, bu
could not understand what influenced th,
committee to give nearly one fourth Of tn
4 whole amount to Col Baker
/ Mr.. HOTCHKISS wanted the House t,
notice that improper influence were charges
upon the committee, by the gentleman from
Michigan.
i Mr.. briggs diselaimed any personal alu
sions.
1 Mr.. HoTcHKIss remarked that tbs
would be like wringing q mans nose, an
then telling him he )mean't no offence
1 Laughter. Hefepeated his statement abor
Lieut.. Doherty being under the shade.
4 Mr.. DAWES inquired why they propose
giving Doherty SO much.
i Mr.. HOTCHKISS replied that they did S
in Difference to popular clamor.
Mr.. TROWBRIDGE expressed the hop
that his colleagues (Driegs9 amendmer
would not be adopted, because it did injul
tice to Col. Conger, who had command Q
! the expedition, but whose muster out of se
vice was few days before, but WAS not know
by him then. After some further -discussio
: the question was first taken on the amend
} ment offered by Mr.. briggs, and it was r.
Iiected. The question required onthe amen,
ment offered by Mr.. Delano, and it was ado,
ted by large majority. It gives Cong
SIS, 900 Baker $3.50; c. L. Baker s.
IOO0; Lient. Doherty S., $50; Major o Brie
) 81, 600 the detectives 81, 900 each, and Co
{ belt and eace man of the party OF the 16i
New York cavalry $l,668. The bill I
! amended passed.
) A number Of resolutions and bills, most
I Of . private character, were reported by Il
! committee on Indian Affairs, and disposed
q Mr.. sCHENOK, from the committee I
. Military AffAis. reported baek. With ansen
. ments, the Senate joint resolution to proyit
, for the publication of the official history
: the rebellion. The amendment was agret
J 70 and the bill passed.
siuonA ssnsessis ~ paDs&