Mr. TRUMBULL. There being now no objection to the reference of the bill, I do not know that I ought to detain the Senate; but I think that in consequence of what fell from the Senfrom Michigan I ought to say a word, lest the impression might go out i. those who Fo the reference of this bill were opposed to the object contemplated by it. Now, the Senfrom Michigan knows that he was no more zealous for an efficient confiscation bill during the war than myself. I believed during the war that we ought to have a confiscation bill that was effective, and I did Iall could in this body to secure the passage The confiscation bill which did pass was emasculated and not effective; but such as it was, it has never been efficiently executed. And, sir, I think I go quite as far as the Senfrom Michigan in opposing, in the manner it has been done, the restoration to rebels of property which was taken under the confiscation act. But here is a bill that comes to us now, proposing to repeal a section of that confiscation act which was never, in my judgment, as effective as it ought to have been; and we are asked to pass it at once, and without referring it to any committee. Now, sir, I am not opposed to this; but I believe it better to do business deliberatel and in order. We have our rules of proceeding in this body established to promote the transaction of public business and expe rience has shown that the object is best accomplished by their observance. The ordinary course of proceeding is to refer a bill to the appropriate committee; it is very seldom that a bill is passed by this body without a previous reference to some committee; and I think it safer to adopt that course in this case. I assure the Senfrom Michigan that this course is not dictated by any opposition to the object of the bill; but I think the effect of its F.will be better on the country when it shall be seen that we act deliberately and in the usual way. Let us 1st see what duty requires, and then calmly, dispassionately, and resolutely perform it. i be gained by passing the bill today; and if it is proper that the bill should pass, as I think it is, a reference can do no harm; and whether it be advisable to pass it or not, I assure the Senator, as far as I am concerned, that its consideration shall not be unnecessarily delayed. The motion to refer was agreed to.