HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 1863.Mr. HOLCOMB rose to a question of privilege. He Sent to the Clerk's desk a copy of the Indiana Journal and had an article from that sheet read accusing him of attempting to cast, a slur upon Governor Morton in the matter of the draft. He had no disposition to slur that gentleman. His record was bad enough without slurring him. In this (Center) township, the hot bed of Abolitionism, according to the Draft Commissioner's report, the heaviest draft of any township in the State, save one, had been assessed. Governor Morton had made speeches in this township. He had impressed his doctrines on the people. There was the assessment reported by the Commissioner. If the fall number were not obtained it was to be explained only by one of two suppositions: Either the draft was not enforced in Center township, Marion county, or citizens, after the assessment had been made, came forward and volunteered, in his [Mr. Holcomb's] district, in the Southern part of the State, a Democratic district, the only draft made was in a county which voted for Mr. Lincoln, while in Governor Morton's district, the Burnt Republican District, the draft had obtained in every county. These page: 206[View Page 206] were a few facts for the Journal and Governor Morton's other few friends to think about. They, by their organ, had suggested facts, as they called them, for him to cogitate upon: he suggest facts which were facts for their rumination.
BREVIER LEGISLATIVE REPORTS.
Mr. WOLFE, from the Committee on Claims, submitted the following report:
Mr. Speaker: The Committee on Claims to whom was referred the claim of A. E. & W. H. DRAPIER for sixty-six dollars, balance due on BREVIER LEGISLATIVE REPORTS of the House of Representatives, have considered the same, and recommend that the Committee on Ways and Means be directed to incorporate said sum into the Specific Appropriation Bill in favor of said claimants.
The report was concurred in.
THE STATE OF THE UNION.
Mr. GIVEN, from the Committee on Federal Relations, submitted a minority report fully agreeing with the report of the majority (see page 181) upon all subjects touched upon, but insisting that the great and paramount matter--a declaration in favor of a peace convention--had been overlooked, and introducing a joint resolution [37] to that end, designating Louisville as the place.
The report was laid on the table and 500 copies ordered printed.
The joint resolution was read and the first time and passed to the second reading.
A call of the House was ordered and but 53 members answered to their names. 38 members were absent without leave. No quorum being present the House adjourned.
