H. R. 408. An act for the relief of postmasters who have been robbed by confederate forces or rebel guerillas, without amendment; and H. R. 308. An act to establish a Bureau of Military Justice, with amendments; in which I am directed to ask the concurrence of this house. Mr. William G. Steele, from the Committee on Enrolled Bills, reported that the committee had examined and found truly enrolled bills of the following titles, viz: S. 130. An act for a charter of Masonic Hall Association in Washington city, District of Columbia; and S. 249. An act to authorize the issuing of a register to the steam vessel "John Martin." When The Speaker signed the same. On motion of Mr. Morrill, Ordered, That the five-minutes debate on the eighteenth paragraph of section 76 of the tax bill (H. R. 405) shall cease whenever its consideration is resumed in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. On motion of Mr. Morrill, the House again resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union; and after some time spent therein, the Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Ellihu B. Washburne reported that the committee, having had under consideration the special order: H. R. 405. A bill to provide internal revenue to support the government, to pay interest on the public debt, and for other purposes, had come to no resolution thereon. The House then, at 4 o'clock and 20 minutes p. m., took a recess until 7 o'clock p. m. After the recess, Mr. Cobb, from the Committee on Enrolled Bills, reported that the committee had examined and found truly enrolled a bill of the following title, viz: H. R. 408. An act for the relief of postmasters who have been robbed by confederate forces or rebel guerillas. When The Speaker signed the same. On motion of Mr. James R. Morris, by unanimous consent, the bill of the Senate (S. 129) to amend an act entitled "An act to authorize the corporation of Georgetown, in the District of Columbia, to lay and collect a water tax, and for other purposes," approved May 21, 1862, was taken from the Speaker's table, read a first and second time, and referred to the Committee for the District of Columbia. On motion of Mr. Morrill, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union; and after some time spent therein, the Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Ellihu B. Washburne reported that the committee having had under consideration the special order, viz: H. R. 405. A bill to provide internal revenue to support the govern ment, to pay interest on the public debt, and for other purposes, had come to no resolution thereon. On motion of Mr. Morrill, Ordered, That the five-minutes debate on line 246, section 93, of the said bill (H. R. 405) shall cease in five minutes after its consideration is resumed in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. On motion of Mr. Morrill, the House again resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union; and after some time spent therein, the Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Ellihu B. Washburne reported that the committee, having had under consideration the special order, viz: H. R. 405. A bill to provide internal revenue to support the gov ernment, to pay interest on the public debt, and for other purposes, had come to no resolution thereon. On motion of Mr. Morrill, Ordered, That the five-minutes debate on lines 255 and 256, section 93, of the said bill (H. R. 405) shall cease in one minute after its consideration is resumed in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. And then, On motion of Mr. Cox, at 9 o'clock and 55 minutes p. m., the House adjourned. SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1864. Mr. Ellihu B. Washburne, by unanimous consent, from the Committee o Commerce, reported a bill (H. R. 426) to create an additional supervising inspector of steamboats and two local inspectors of steamboats for the collection district of Memphis, Tennessee, and two local inspectors for the collection district of Oregon, and for other purposes; which was read a first and second time. Ordered, That the bill be engrossed and read a third time. Being engrossed, it was accordingly read the third time and passed Mr. Ellihu B. Washburne moved that the vote last taken be reconsidered, and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; which latter motion was agreed to. Ordered, That the Clerk request the concurrence of the Senate in the said bill. By unanimous consent, leave of absence for two weeks from Monday next was granted to Mr. Van Valkenburgh. Mr. Cox, by unanimous consent, submitted the following resolution; which was read, considered, and agreed to: Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary inquire into the expediency of so amending the 4th section of the act of March 2, 1793, as to empower United States commissioners to take bail in criminal offences against the United States, and to provide that said commissioners shall have an official seal to authenticate their acts and records. Mr. Higby, from the select committee appointed under the resolution of the House of the 23d ultimo, to investigate certain charges against the honorable F. P. Blair, jr., a member of this house from the State of Missouri, submitted a report in writing. The same having been read, Mr. Higby moved that it be printed. Pending which, After debate, Mr. Morrill moved that the House resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. Pending which, On motion of Mr. Morrill, Ordered, That the five-minutes debate on so much of section 93 of the bill of the House No. 405 as relates to iron, shall cease in one minute after its consideration is resumed in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. The question then recurred on the former motion of Mr. Morrill; The House accordingly resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union; and after some time spent therein, the Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Ellihu B. Washburne reported that the committee, having had under consideration the special order, viz: H. R. 405. A bill to provide internal revenue to support the government, to pay interest on the public debt, and for other purposes, had come to no resolution thereon. A message from the Senate, by Mr. McDonald, one of their clerks: Mr. Speaker: The Senate have passed a bill of this house of the following title, viz: H. R. 198. An act making appropriations for the support of the army for the year ending the 30th June, 1865, with amendments; in which I am directed to ask the concurrence of this house. The Senate insist upon their disagreement to the amendments of the House to the bill of the Senate (S. 76) relating to appointments in the naval service and courts-martial; agree to the conference asked by the House on the disagreeing votes of the two houses thereon, and have appointed Mr. Hale, Mr. Willey, and Mr. Ramsey the said committee on the part of the Senate. The Senate insist on their amendments, disagreed to by the House, to the bill of the House (H. R. 370) to appoint certain officers of the navy; agree to the conference asked by the House on the disagreeing votes of the two houses thereon, and have appointed Mr. Hale, Mr. Willey, and Mr. Ramsey the said committee on the part of the Senate. On motion of Mr. Morrill, Ordered, That the five-minutes debate on all of section 93 that relates to wine, of the bill of the House No. 405, shall cease in one minute after its consideration is resumed in the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. On motion of Mr. Morrill, the House again resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union; and after some time spent therein, the Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Ellihu B. Washburne reported that the committee, having had under consideration the special order, viz: H. R. 405, to provide internal revenue for the support of the government, to pay interest on the public debt, and for other purposes, had come to no resolution thereon. And then, On motion of Mr. Ancona, at 4 o'clock and 50 minutes p. m., the House adjourned. MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1864. The following petitions, memorials, and other papers, were laid upon. the Clerk's table, under the 131st rule of the House: By Mr. Samuel F. Miller: The petition of citizens of the State of New York, praying that a duty may be levied on foreign wool. By Mr. Van Valkenburgh: The memorial of citizens of the same State, for a duty on wool. Ordered, That the said memorials be referred to the Committee of Ways and Means. By Mr. Smithers: The remonstrance of the presidents of the Delaware and Newcastle and Wilmington Railroad Companies against the extension of Goodyear's patent. By Mr. Orth: The remonstrance of the Toledo, Logansport, and Busheyton Railway Company against the extension of Goodyear's patent. Ordered, That the said papers be referred to the Committee on Patents. By Mr. Pomeroy: Two memorials from citizens of the State of New York, praying for the abolition of slavery. By Mr. Orlando Kellogg: The memorial of citizens of the same State, praying for the abolition of slavery. By Mr. Kelley: Two petitions of women of the State of Pennsylvania, praying for the abolition of slavery; Also, the memorial of children of the State of New Jersey, praying for the abolition of slavery; Ordered, That the said memorials and petitions be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. Alexander H. Rice: The petition of Baker & Morrill, praying for a change of the name of the ship "Awaster" to the "Southern Cross;" which was referred to the Committee on Commerce. By Mr. Deming: Thirteen memorials of State banks in Connecticut, relative to the government tax on the issue of such banks; which were referred to the Committee of Ways and Means. By Mr. Moorhead: The memorial of Commodore S. W. Gordon, for relief from the operations of the act of December 21, 1861; which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. By Mr. Amos Myers: The memorial of citizens of the State of Pennsylvania, praying for the abolition of slavery. By Mr. Spalding: The memorial of citizens of the State of Ohio, praying for the abolition of slavery. Ordered, That the said memorials be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. Baxter: Four memorials from citizens of the State of Vermont, praying for a duty on foreign wool. By Mr. Woodbridge: Three memorials from citizens of the State of Vermont, praying for a duty on foreign wool Ordered, That the said memorials be referred to the Committee of Ways and Means. By Mr. Broomall: The petition of certain hospital stewards in the army for increase of pay; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. By Mr. Kalbfleisch: The memorial of the Religious Society of Friends of New York in behalf of the freedmen; which was referred to the Select Committee on Emancipation. By Mr. Wilson: The petition of Baltiase Peoria, praying certain interest due the Wea and other Indian tribes; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. By Mr. King: The petition of Nicholas Hebner, praying for a pension; which was referred to the Committee on Invalid Pensions. By Mr. Alley: The petition of J. C. Stimpson and others, praying that the name of the steamer "Stars and Stripes" may be changed; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce. By Mr. Eliot: The memorial of citizens of the State of Massachusetts, praying an appropriation for repairs on Plymouth beach; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce. By Mr Upson: The petition of citizens of Branch county, in the State of Michigan, praying the said county may be annexed to the eastern judicial district in that State; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. Bliss: The petition of citizens of the State of Ohio, praying for a duty on foreign wool. . By Mr. Colfax: The petition of citizens of the Territory of Colorado, protesting against a tax on gold and silver mines; Also, the petition of Benjamin Clark, relative to the currency. Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the Committee of Ways and Means. By Mr. H. Winter Davis: The memorial of Thomas Maddox, praying for relief; which was referred to the Committee of Claims By Mr. Jenckes: Resolutions of the legislature of Rhode Island, respecting reimbursements to volunteer officers; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. A. W. Hubbard, by unanimous consent, submitted the following preamble and resolution; which were read, considéred, and agreed to, viz: Whereas it is represented that the Winnebago Indians are in a destitute and starving condition; that some of their number have actually died of starvation: Therefore, Resolved, That the Committee on Indian Affairs be instructed to inquire into the facts and report what legislation (if any) is necessary to relieve these Indians from their present destitute and deplorable condition. On motion of Mr. Morrill, by unanimous consent, leave was granted him to introduce at the evening session to-day, and for the House to consider by sections, and under the five-minutes rule, as in Committee of the Whole, a joint resolution to increase temporarily the duties on imports. Mr. Fenton, by unanimous consent, submitted the following preamble and resolution; which were read, considered, and agreed to, viz: Whereas, on the 3d day of May, 1861, the President of the United States, by proclamation, called for forty-two thousand volunteers; which was subsequently modified to include thirty-nine regiments of volunteers to serve for two years, of which the State of New York promptly furnished thirtyeight regiments, which were received and mustered into the United States service prior to the act of Congress July 22, 1861, section five of which act provided a bounty of one hundred dollars to "every volunteer, noncommissioned officer, private, musician, and artificer," "if he shall have served for a period of two years, or during the war if sooner ended;" and whereas nearly all of said two-years regiments from the State of New York were kept continuously recruited during the first year's service with volunteers to serve for the unexpired term of said regiments, in many instances with the promise and expectation of receiving bounties; and whereas, by the act of Congress July 17, 1862, section three provided a bounty of twenty-five dollars to "every soldier" who were to be called into the said service "for a period of nine months, unless sooner discharged," and by the fourth section of the said act a bounty of fifty dollars was provided for volunteers to serve for the period of twelve months, unless sooner discharged, to fill up regiments then in the field; and whereas, by the act of Congress, chapter 78, section six, passed March 3, 1863, no deduction of these bounties should be made from a soldier's pay if discharged in a less time than said enlistments of nine or twelve months, if "the discharge be upon surgeon's certifiate for wounds received or sickness incurred since their last enlistment;" and section seven of said act provides that "any person who shall have volunteered or been drafted," "for the term of nine months, or a shorter period, may enlist into a regiment from the same State to serve for the term of one year, and any person so enlisting shall be entitled to and receive a bounty of fifty dollars: " Therefore, Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be instructed to report a bill giving the bounty of one hundred dollars to any non-commissioned officer, private, musician, or artificer, who shall have been honorably discharged in consequence of wounds received or injuries incurred in the service and in the line of his duty, and a pro rata share of said bounty of one hundred dollars to any volunteers for a proportionate term of service, exceeding three months, as is now provided by law for those serving two years. |