Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

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“ [86] State represented in Congress, who shall be actual residents of the State for which they may be appointed; and fifty cadets, to be appointed from the military forces of the United States, regular and volunteer, who shall have served for a period of not less than nine months.” The amendment was opposed by Mr. Sherman and Mr. Howard, and rejected.

Mr. Wilson then moved to add a new section providing: That the Secretary of War be authorized and directed to cause tobacco to be furnished to the enlisted men of the army at cost prices, exclusive of the cost of transportation, in such quantities as they may require, not exceeding sixteen ounces per month, and the amount due therefor should be deducted from their pay in the same manner as provided for the settlement of clothing accounts; and it was agreed to. Mr. Sprague moved to amend the bill by adding six new sections organizing the pay department of the army; but it was rejected. The amendment to strike out the proviso forbidding the payment of any of the money appropriated to land grant railroads was again taken up, the pending question being on Mr. Cowan's amendment to it. After further debate, the vote was taken on Mr. Cowan's amendment, and it was lost — yeas, nine; nays, twenty-seven. The vote was then taken on striking out the proviso, and it was agreed to — yeas, thirty; nays, five. On motion of Mr. Trumbull, the bill was further amended — yeas, fifteen; nays, twelve--by adding as a new section: “That all laws and parts of laws, or regulations of the War Department, which give additional pay or rank to officers of the regular army over officers in the volunteer service of the same rank, are hereby repealed.” The bill as amended was passed without a division.

In the House, on the twenty-seventh of February, on motion of Mr. Stevens, the bill was taken up, and the Senate amendments, excepting the amendment authorizing the Secretary of War to furnish tobacco to the soldiers, were non-concurred in.

The Senate, on motion of Mr. Sherman, insisted upon its amendments, asked a committee of conference, and appointed Mr. Cowan, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Carlisle conferees. The House agreed to the committee of conference, and the Speaker appointed Mr. Wilson, of Iowa, Mr. Stevens, of Pennsylvania, and Mr. James C. Allen, of Illinois, managers. Mr. Wilson was excused from serving on the committee, and Mr. Washburne, of Illinois, was appointed.

On the first of March, Mr. Cowan, from the committee of conference, reported that the committee had recommended that the Senate recede from their fourth amendment. That the House of Representatives recede from their disagreement to the second and third amendments of the Senate. That the Senate recede from their disagreement to the amendment of the House to the sixth amendment of the Senate, and agree to the same. That the House recede from their disagreement to the first amendment of the Senate, and agree to the same with amendments, as follows; In line three of said amendment to strike out the words “any railroad,” and insert in lieu thereof the words, “the Illinois Central Railroad;” and to strike out all of said amendment after the word “States” in line five; and that the Senate agree to the same as so modified. Mr. Trumbull opposed the acceptance of the report, and after debate, the vote was taken, and it was non-concurred in — yeas, thirteen; nays, twenty-nine. On motion of Mr. Trumbull, the Senate further insisted on its amendments, asked a further conference, and appointed Mr. Trumbull, Mr. Farwell, and Mr. Powell conferees. The House agreed to a committee of conference, and the Speaker appointed Mr. Wilson, of Iowa, Mr. Holman, of Indiana, and Mr. Davis, of New-York, managers.

On the third of March, Mr. Wilson, from the committee of conference, made a report to the House recommending the same action as the former committee of conference, excepting the amendment in regard to land grant railroads, on which the committee would not agree. On motion of Mr. Wilson, the House, by a vote of seventy-nine to sixty-one, agreed to the Senate amendment striking out the proviso relating to railroads, with an amendment providing that no money appropriated by the act should be used for the purpose of paying the Illinois Central Railroad Company for the transportation of the property or troops of the United States. The House voted to agree to the report of the committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses. In the Senate, Mr. Trumbull made a report, which was concurred in. Mr. Trumbull then moved that the Senate disagree to the House amendment to the Senate amendment striking out the section relative to the land grant railroads, and ask a further conference. The motion was agreed to, and Mr. Harris, Mr. Howe, and Mr. Willey were appointed managers. The House agreed to a further conference, and the Speaker appointed Mr. Thayer, of Pennsylvania, Mr. Morris, of Ohio, and Mr. Kernan, of New-York, managers.

Mr. Thayer reported to the House that the committee of conference could not agree, and he moved that the House agree to the amendment of the Senate, striking out the proviso relating to land grant railroads, with an amendment referring the matter to the Supreme Court for adjudication. Mr. Morrill, of Vermont, moved that the House recede from its disagreement to the amendment of the Senate, and it was agreed to — yeas, sixty-three; nays, forty-seven. So the bill passed, and was approved by the President on the third of March, 1865.

No. XC.--The Joint Resolution to encourage Enlistments by making Free the Wives and Children of Colored Soldiers.

On the thirteenth of December, 1864, Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts, introduced into the Senate a joint resolution to encourage enlistments, and promote the efficiency of the military and naval forces, by making free the wives and children of persons who had been in, or might be mustered