The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-07-11
EVENING SESSION.
HOUSE,.

Mr.. $rhcnck, from the committee on
Ways and Means, reported joint reso-
luton 10 extend to January first, 1863,
the time for collecting the direct tax in
the South. Passed.
The bill for the distribution of awards
for the capture of jeff. Davis, as re-
ported by the committee on Claims,
was passed after some discussion.
Mr.. Townsend introduced Il bill to in
corporate the United States postal tel
egraph system, incorporating G. G. Hub
bard and associates, with capital
stock of 100000, and authorizing the
Postmaster General to make q 10 years
contract for the transmission of messa-
gcs. Referred to the Post Office COM
mittee.
Mr.. Logan, from committee on Ways
and Means, reported bill making GER
tain regulations as to the public debt,
providing that no commission be al
lowed for the sale or negotiation of
United States securities, ard that all
authority to issue United States bonds,
Il &C., shall cease with the passage of the
bill, except the conversion Of treasury
notes into go bonds. Ordered printed
aud recOmmittCd.
Mr.. Perham, from the Conference CON-
mittcc on ~ pension bills, made report
which WAS agreed to.
The House then proceeded t. the con-
sidcration of the deficiency bill. Among
the amendments agreed to was one that
no coi.tIact for public work shall be en-
tered into which shall involve q larger
expenditure than the amount appro-
priatcd for The purpose.
Recess till 1870, the evening session to
be for tho bill from the committee on
Military Affairs.
EVENING SESSION.
Mr.. Garfield reported q bill giving
officers who have retired from active
service in the volunteer service since
the 18th of April, 1861, the same pay
aud allowances as if they were retired
from wounds or disabilities; also pro-
viding that retired officers, except in
time of war, shall not be assigned to
duty except at military academy and
certain colleges and universities, as
provided in the act of July 10th. 1866.
1t was amended Ivy applying the law to
enlisted men rs well rs officers. The
bill was further amended by providing
that 10 man shall be retired from the
army against his will who is competent
10 perform duty.
Mr.. Garfield reported bill TO reduce
the army To a peace establishment.
The first section continues the office of
General of the Army. This gave rise to
discussion.
Mr.. Wilson, of Iowa, moved to strike
out the first section. Rejected.
Mr. Logan moved to amend by pro-
viding that the duties of the office shall,
IN case of vacancy, devolve ON the Off
Ger next in rank. Agreed to.
Mr.. johnson moved the office be dis
continued. Rejected.
The second section, which refers to
the Lieutenant General, was amended
by Mr.. Logan similarly to the first.
The third section, which provides
that there shall be no brevet appoint
ments of General or Lieutenant Gener-
al, was amended by striking out the
words General or Lieutenant General
Subsequently the words Except for
neritoriOus service in presence of the
enemy" were added.
Mr.. Butler moved an amendment
of the fourth section of the said bill
by reducing the number of Major Gen.
erals to 3, to be designated by the Gen.
eral of the Army without regard to SEMI
ority, providing that all others be mus.
tered out by the first of Jenuary.
Agreed to.
On motion of Mr.. Allison section 5
was amended by reducing the number of
Brigadier Generals from to D.
MIR. Butler then moved to strike out
the section and provide that there shall
be but Brigadier Generals, to be desig-
II ated without regard to seniority by
the General of the Army. The others to
be mustered out by the first of January.
Mr.. Paine moved to amend the amend
ment by providing that there shall be
but six Brigadier Generals after the 3lst
of March, 1869, the President to desig-