Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-07-19
CONGRESSIONAL.

WASHINGTON, July 1S.-Mr. WILSON
from Military Committee, reported without
amendment the bill to reOrganize the clerical
force of the War department, and bill re-
lating to the rations of soldiers held as pris-
oners of war. He also repoted adversely on
the bill to appoint commissioners on trans
portation between Western and Atlantic
States, and blk to increase the pay of army
officers A resolution authorizing the en-
plOyment Of a landscape gardner, and typo
graphical engineer, to aid the Committee on
Public Buildings and Ground, in selection
of a park and site for Presidential Man
sion, which was adopted.
On motion of Mr.. SHERMAN the bill to
reduce the rate of interest on the public
debt and provide for funding the same, was
taken up, and several amendments were
agreed to, and the further consideration of
the bill was postponed till tomorrow.
Mr.. FESSENDEN reported back with
amendments the bill making appropriations
for sundry civil expenses.
Mr.. HALLQWAY introduced a bill TO
amend the act of June "a, 1866, for the dis
posal of public lands for homesteads, to ae-
tual settlers, in the States of Alabama, Mis-
sissippi, Louisiana, Kansas and Florida,
Public Lands. 1t provides that any
person who has served not less than
twelve months in the army or navy
of the United States, during the war for the
preservation of the Union, shall have the
right to purchase at the minimum rate, or
to locate by military land warrants, 16O
acres Of land, and to enter 100 acres accord
ing to the provisions Of the homestead bill
of 1862.
The bill to increase the compensation of
clerks, messengers and other employees Of
the Senate, was taken up, and after discus
sion it was recommended.
Mr.. TRUMBULL called up the bill, re-
Gently passed by the Seate, and subsequently
amended in the House, for bridging the
Mississippi at Quincy, Keokuk, Winona and
other points House amendments we're
agreed to, with an amendment requiring the
consent of the States on each side of the
river where the bridges are proposed to be
built.
Mr.. HENDERSON offered two amend
ments, one of which provided that no draw
bridge should be allowed The Board Of
Engineers decided that bridges Of continuous
span were practicable. The second was for
prohibiting the construction of draw-bridges
before the 4th of March, 1867. Both
amendments were rejected.
Mr.. POMEROY announced the death of
Senator LANE, of Kansas. He offered the
customary resolutions of respect to the men,
DRY of the deceased, and also delivered an
address upon Mr.. LANES life and character.
Mr. HENDRICKS followed in a eulogy
of the late Senator. In the course of his
remarks be said he had investigated the
charges of corruption against Mr.. LANE,
and was satisfied they were ill-founded.
Mr.. DOOLITTLE spoke Of the deceased
as a man in whom great faults were mingled
with great virtues; a man of strong friend
ship and implacable enmity ia man of ex-
traordinary mind, who without polish or
culture could yet move an audsence as few
men could.
Mr.. DOOLITTLE held that no doubt
Gen. LANE was subject to temporary fits of
insanity, he had had been informed by the
physician who waited on him. Mr.. LANE
was not sane when he left Washington.
The Senate then adjourned, after adopting
Mr.. PoNIERoY's resolutions.