WASHINGTON, May 19.
SENATE. – Memorials from the merchants of New York and
Philadelphia, asking for a general bankrupt law, were presented.
Mr. Grimes offered a resolution that the Secretary of War
report to the Senate the names of the persons appointed to the staffs of the
different officers, where now employed on the staff, of what officer and by
whose recommendation appointed. Adopted.
Mr. Grimes introduced a bill for the relief of Robt. Small
and others, (colored,) who recently delivered the rebel vessel Planter to Com.
Dupont’s squadron.
The bill provides that the Planter, with all the cargo,
appurtenances, &c, be appraised by a competent board of officers and that
one-half the value thereof shall go to Rob’t Small, and his associates who
assisted in the rescue of the Planter, with the provision that the Secretary of
the Navy may invest the same in United States stocks. The interest to be paid to Small and his
associates, or heirs. The bill was taken
up and passed.
Mr. Wilson, of Mass., called up the resolution providing for
the presentation of medals of honor to men who distinguishes themselves in
battle. Passed.
Mr. Davis offered an amendment to the 3d section, which
disqualifies persons guilty of offences named in the bill, such persons also
forfeit all claims to citizenship.
Rejected – 12 against 26.
Mr. Powell moved to strike out the 11th section, which authorizes
the President to employ and organize persons of African descent, as he may deem
necessary, to suppress the rebellion.
Rejected – 11 against 25.
Mr. Henderson moved to strike out the first section and
insert as a substitute, that any person hereafter convicted of treason shall
suffer death or imprisonment, and forfeit all property during life.
The Confiscation bill was taken up, and Mr. Sumner proceeded
to speak at length in favor of the principle of confiscation and emancipation
of the slaves of rebels and urging the adoption of his substitute.
HOUSE. – Mr. Bingham, from the special committee of the
House, reported articles of impeachment against West H. Humphreys, judge of the
District Court of the United States for the several districts of
Tennessee. There are several separate
charges in the name of the people of the United States, involving gross neglect
of official duty, violation of the laws, endeavoring to excite revolt and rebellion,
publishing the ordinance
of secession of Tennessee, endeavoring to absolve the people from their
allegiance, combining with Jeff. Davis and other evil minded persons to
overthrow the authority of the United States, &c.; and demanding that
Humphreys may be put to answer the high crimes and misdemeanors charged against
him; and that proceedings be taken for his examination and trial, as may be
agreeable to law and justice. The report
was agreed to.
On motion of Mr. Bingham a resolution was adopted appointing
five managers to conduct the impeachment, and that the Senate be acquainted
with the action of the House, with the view of concurrent action. The House then went into committee of the
whole, Washburn in the chair, and took up the navy appropriation bill. Mr. Hutchins advocated the bill heretofore
introduce by him, to equalized and reduce the various incongruous rates of postage. He advocated two cents postage, the money
order system, and the abolition of the franking privilege.
Mr. Richardson spoke against legislation, which discouraged
Union sentiment, while the effort was making to place the negro on an equality
with the whites.
Various minor amendments were discussed and adopted. $48,000 was appropriated for rent and
expenses of the Naval Academy at Newport.
The bill was finally reported to the House and passed.
Adjourned.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette,
Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, May 20, 1862, p. 1
No comments:
Post a Comment