XXXVIIth Congress -- First Session

WASHINGTON, May 8.

SENATE. – The resolution impeaching Judge Humphreys was read from the House, and referred to a select committee, consisting of Messrs. Foster, Doolittle and Davis.

The bill establishing a port of entry at Hilton S. C., was received from the House and passed.

Mr. Wright presented a petition from citizens of Florida, asking for a confiscation bill.

The bill making appropriations for the deficiencies in the payment of volunteers was taken up.  After debate relative to the number of men now in the army, the bill was passed.

The bill limiting the number of Brigadier and Major Generals was passed, Mr. Hale’s amendment being rejected.  It limits the number of Major Generals to 80, and Brigadiers tow 200.

Mr. Sumner offered a resolution saying that it was inexpedient that victories obtained over our own citizens be placed on the regimental colors of the U. S.

The bill establishing the department of agriculture was taken up and passed.

After debate, the question was taken on Foster’s substitute, making a bureau of agriculture in the Department of the Secretary of the Interior.  Lost 18 against 18.  The bill as reported to the Senate passed – 25 to 12.

The bill for the appointment of medical storekeepers was amended so as to authorize the President to appoint Chaplains for hospitals, and passed.

Mr. Doolittle called up his bill to collect taxes on lands and insurrectionary districts. – He explained its provisions, when the bill was postponed until to-morrow.

The bill for the education of colored children in the District of Columbia, providing a tax of 10 per cent. upon the colored residents therefore, was taken up.

Mr. Wilson, of Mass., moved a new section, making all persons of color in the District amenable to the same laws as whites.  Adopted.  The amendment repeals the black code of the District.  On the passage of the bill, no quorum voted.

Mr. Hale introduced a bill to abolish the office of Marshal of the District of Columbia, and establishing that of Sheriff.

Mr. Grimes presented the petition of Gen. Sigel and other officers, asking for a German professorship at West Point, and recommending Reinhaldt Solger for the office.

HOUSE. – The Iowa contested election case was taken up.  It involves the question whether a member of Congress can hold a seat and commission in the volunteers at the same time, and refers especially to Vandever, who commands a regiment.

On motion of Mr. Washburne, it was postponed till the first Wednesday in December.

The bill organizing the territorial government of Arizona was taken up and passed.  The bill repeals all laws in the organizing of territories recognizing the relation of master and slave, and prohibits slavery therein.

The bill extending the eastern limits of Nevada sixty miles was passed.

Mr. Lovejoy called up the bill abolishing slavery within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government.  The house refused by 50 to 60 to table the bill.

Mr. Mallory raised a point that the bill was not regularly before the House, which the Speaker overruled.

Mr. Lovejoy called for the previous question.

Without coming to a vote the house adjourned.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, May 10, 1862, p. 2

Washington News

WASHINGTON, March 25. – The commission appointed by Gen. Wool to inquire into the condition of vagrants or contrabands, say in their official report that they stated with the general proposition that the military power have not only the right but it is among its privileges to avail itself of any and all means within its control to perfect its discipline, to render its position secure or make it effective for an advance against an enemy, and for these ends it has the right to employ for service or use anything which a military necessity may demand.  At the same time they consider that necessity is the only proper measure by which this power can be exercised.  The number of contrabands is given as 1508.  Those distributed at Fortress Monroe, 691; at Camp Harris, 743; at Camp Butler and Newport News 74.

Little inclination is manifested by them to go North.  Comparatively few contrabands come to our camps.  The navy is decidedly popular with them; they are treated as boys and receive pay every month.

The Commission point out various abuses and suggest remedies.

It further appears from the report, that Gen. Wool has issued an order that hereafter all wages by them will be paid the contrabands for their own use and support under such regulations as may be deemed proper.

Representative Steel, a member of the Government Contractor’s Investigating Committee, returned to-day from Cairo, whither he was accompanied by his Colleague, Mr. Washburne. – Their business was to look into the Quartermaster’s and other departments.  The discoveries and suggestions of this Committee have been the means of saving large amounts of money to the Government.

Petitions in favor of a general uniform bankrupt law are to be received.

Until further orders, no boats or vessels will be allowed to visit Mount Vernon.

WASHINGTON, March 26. – The House having addressed an inquiry to the Secretary of War regarding the purchases of vessels for carrying water, he replied to-day by enclosing a letter from Assistant Secretary Tucker, explaining these purchases.

Frequent applications are made as to the disposal of public lands in the Territory of Nevada, but as the land districts have not yet been organized therein, no claims can now be located.  There seems to be no doubt that those who at present occupy lands will be secured in their locations by future legislation.

A Democratic conference was held last night, continuing in session until a late hour.  The call was signed by all excepting four or five of the members of Congress who were elected as Democrats.  Representative Corning presided, and Pendleton and Steele acted as Secretaries.

An injunction was placed on all present not to reveal the proceedings.  It is however, ascertained from private conversation to-day, that the conference was principally confined to the consideration of the resolutions reported from a committee, of which Vallandigham was chairman, declaring in substance, that the restoration of the Union and maintenance of the Constitution, would require that the organization and principles of the democratic party of the United States should be fully and faithfully adhered to by all good citizens without distinction of section or party, to co-operate with the democrats in support of the constitution and restoring the old Union.

A committee of one from each State represented by a democrat, either in Senate or House, was appointed to report at a future conference.  The names of the members are not yet known.

It is understood that several messengers from the Border Slave States were present, and participated in the proceedings.

The entire number at the meeting was about forty.  The proceedings are represented as having been harmonious.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 3

News Summary

The Chicago Journal (Republican) says that the Congressional Apportionment Bill was passed at the recent session of the legislature, though not equalizing the districts as well as it might have done, is fully as fair as could have been expected. Stark County is in the 11th District composed of the following counties: Rock Island, Mercer, Henry, Bureau, Stark, Whiteside, and Lee. Population 231,183: Political status at last election, 15,777 Republicans,7,186 Demcrats, Republican majority 8,250.

The rumor comes through rebel sources that the gunboat Queen of the West, which ran the rebel blockade at Vicksburg, on the 3d inst., has been captured while attacking Fort Hudson, a few miles below that city up the Red River.

It is rumored that the government intend suppressing the circulation of all political papers among the soldiers and that it has already been done on the Potomac, a sensible movement.

A Washington dispatch announces the arrival there of a large number of civilian prisoners from Camp Chase, Ohio, to be exchanged and sent south.

The discovery of precious metal in Nevada warrant the belief that it will in a few years surpass California.

It is said that $23,000,000 have been stolen in the quartermaster’s department in the last few months.

Thurlow Weed, the great whig leader of Albany, N.Y., and now a conservative Republican, has been to Washington at the instance of the President, he has been in consulting with him the offshot of which is being watched for with no little anxiety.

Maj. Gen. Cassius M. Clay it is said is about to return to Russia.

Montana is the name of a new Territory which is about being organized by Act of Congress in the unorganized part of old Oregon.

The new Stafford projectile is making extraordinary havoc with iron-clad targets. Previous experiments with these projectiles prove conclusively that targets of 9 inch iron plates, back by 21 inches of hard wood can be readily penetrated. Its peculiarities of construction are kept a secret.

The spirits have predicted in Andrew Jackson Davis’ paper that France will be soon fighting for the Confederacy and England for the United States. Mr. Davis has weekly war despatches [sic] by spiritual telegraph.

The London correspondent of the Chicago Journal (probably its polite editor Charles Wilson who is sec’y of legation) says, that the ladies must be prepared to hear before many months of the abolishment of one of their daring institution – Crinoline –.

MARRYING BY TELEGRAPH. – The Syracuse Journal as the announcement of the marriage of C. S. Gardiner a soldier stationed at Washington to a Miss Palmenter of N. Volna N. Y. by telegraph, Rev. W. H. Carr officiated as the clergyman. The parents of the bride objected and this mode was planed to cheat the old folks.

The cultivation of sugar beets as well as sorghum, is attracting attention at the West and the prospect is that large amounts of beet sugar will soon be made.

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, Thursday, February 26, 1863