Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-12-13
MIDNIGHT DISPATCHES.
CONGRESSIONAL pROCEEDINes

roy, from citizens of Minnesota, PRAYING
for impartial suffrage.
Mr.. sherman reported from the Com
mittee on Finance bill for The repeal O.
the cotton tax, and gave notice that hs
would call 1t up tomorrow. -s..
Mr.. Patterson, Of New Hampshire, from
the Committee on Retrenchment, reported
a resolution that contracts for stationery
and other supplies for the Executive De
partment shall, in the present unsettled
condition of the county, be made for nc
longer period than one year. Adopted.
Mr.. Noyes introduced bill to amend
the various acts establishing the Navy De,
partment. Referred to the Naval Com.
mittee.
On motion of Mr.. Sherman, the Senate
took up the bill in regard to the proceed.
OF captured and abandoned properly. Tht
question was stated to be on Mr.. Edmunds
amendment.
Mr.. Edmunds stated to the Senate yes.
terday that he had learned from the Score
tary of the Treasury he had been instruct.
ed by the Treasury Agent, under the acts
of Congress, that Mr.. Chase had consulted
with the Solicitor az to whether he had an.
thorty to decide which was captured and
which abandoned property. The question
had arisen whether the President or Sec
rotary had authority to submit the cues
tons to a committee, and particularly
what had been called the Savannah cotton
cases. The Attorney General had decided
adversely, the Secretary of the Treasury he
believed had given mp no cotton in man
ner conflicting with that opinion. He read
letter from the Attorney General dated
April 24th, 1856, expressing his opinion
that certain property was uniustifably
seized, not having been the property of the
Confederate States. This letter exonerated
the Secretary Of the Treasury from per
sonal blame.
Mr. Fessenden said this matter was
doubtless caused by such misapprehep.
sion, aggravated by dissatisfied claimants
of such property. Few had any concen.
ton of the trouble and difficulty entailed
on the Treasury Department by the large
amounts of property scattered all over the
country which had been seized. The law
did not mean that the gross receipts of
captured property should be paid into the
Treasury. Secretary Chase had established
the principle of paying the expenses of
captured property ont of the property.
Would it be proper that when certain
property was unjustifably seized that II
should be sold and the proceeds paid into
the treasury? Mr.. Chase had decided
that 1T would be first subject to
proof The sixth section made it the duty
of the army and navy Selling abandoned
property to turn it over to the government:
they had been in the habit of Selling pro-
perty that had never been abandoned. and
that the Secretary of the Treasury had pro-
perry allowed upon proof of ownership.
By the act of 1856 it was decided that the
proceeds, after deducting expenses, were TO
be PAID into the treasury, under which
law he had assumed control of that DEPART
ment. He had doubtless erred in endors~
ing the opinion of the Solicitor of the
Treasury without sufficiently considering
the difference between captured and abar,
doned property; but an investigation
would show that under his administration.
and probably under that of the other Sec
rotary, no property had been subject to
seizure. They had exercised the most
scrupuious care; SO great care indeed, that
a part OF the office was set aside for that
investigation, with gentleman devoted to
pronounce on the legal aspect of the case.
In addition to this, he himself had always
examined cases after decision by this
bureau, and had sometimes set its decision
aside. Mr.. McCulloch had simply followed
the course marked out by himself and
predecessor, and he was called on to take q
share of the blame, if there was any. This
bill should pass with amendments, other
wise it would operate nnjustly TO parties
having just claims against the property.
and leave them entirely without their
remedy. Mr.. Sherman said yesterday that
the Secretary of the Treasury had con.
formed his action to the opinion of the
Solicitor. The Senator from Illinois.
Mr. Trumbull, had taken him by surprise
in denying the fact. He read statement
from the Secretary's report, showing that
fact as ne had stated. He explained that
the Committee on Finance had deferred
action on the bill on the representation of
the Secretary of the Treasury, in regard to
the proceeds of the $34, 100000 worth of
property. Doubtless it was not proper for
that money to remain outside of the
Treasury. If the Senator thought that
more time should be allowed, he had no
objection. Mr.. Fessenden said the only
reason for delay was that it was only the
net proceeds that were to be paid into the
Treasury, and therefore certain claims to
be tested.
HOuse Of representatives.
On motion Of Mr.. Elliott, the Committee
IN Commerce was instructed to inquire
nto the causes of depression in the ship.
ping interest.
The following resolutions of inquiry |
we're offered:
Mr. Brooks: For copies of all general |
riders promulgated by military command |
re in the South.
Same: As to the sale of public vessels. |
MIR. 'Getz: As to whether, in view of the |
ecent elections in Boston and Pittsbure.
he States of Massachusetts and Pennsyi- |
Tania have republican forms of govern |
nent.
Mr.. Schenck To provide buildings for |
he military department. in New York, etc. |
Mr.. Brown presented a memorial from
arious annual meetings of the Society of |
friends, praying change in the Indian
'olicy, substituting the efforts of civiliza-
ion in the place of compulsion and war.
nd offering their gratuitous aid in bring
ng about a kind and Christian feeling
o ward the Indians.
The Speaker presented memorial from
he Washington Monument Association for
ational aid to complete the monument.
Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
Mr.. Schofeld introduced a bill provid-
ng for Circuit Court in the city of Erie,
Pennsylvania. Referred.
Mr.. Eliot offered resolution directing
be Committee on Commerce to inouire
nto the causes that have produced the
resent discussion on the shipping inter.
ste Of the United States, and whether our
laratime interests do not require remis.
ion of internal duties on materials enter
1g into the building of vessels, or some
egisIation to facilitate the transfer of for
Jpn vessels TO American owners.
Mr.. Logan offered resolution instruct
lg the Committee on Commerce to inquire
ITO the expediency of locating at Cairo, or
,me other suitable place in Illinois, a
larine hospital like the one formerly To-
tied at Paducah, KY, and destroyed
,r;pc, the rabailion Adonted