Mr. SCHENCK. I think the Gentfrom Kentucky [Mr. Melina] has not adverted to the language of the bill equalizing the boun ties. The provision is that every man who has served as a soldier, sailor, or marine, in the Army or Navy of the U.S., shall have the benefit of that bill. Thatembraccs every thing. If a man gets anything under this or any other law, it is only so much to be deducted from what he gets under that law. If he does not et it under this bill, he gets it under that bilIif it becomes a law. Now, in reference to this particular clause, I propose to let it run as a judicial question rather than to make it a subject of legislation here. The Senate provided that the accounting officers, on the point to which the gentleman has referred, should take other proof. The House struck that out; and, instead of providing for the taking of other proof, passe the act with a provision that if there were no entry upon the muster roll, or other matter of record, to settle the question by evidence, the presumption should 1? in favor of the freedom of the enlisted man on: the 19th day of April, 1861. Now, it might happen that there bein no entry “free on the 19th of April, 1861, a man who was actually a slave would come forward and, taking advantage of the presumtion of freedom, would get the bounty; and a terward, the man claiming that the colored soldier was his slave and that he was a loyal master, might come forward, and, as a loyal master, make claim also for bounty. I propose that if there be anything in the law under which the master can make his claim, to let him have the benefit of the law, if any fair construction of the law will give it to him. I would leave it to the construction of the Dept or of the courts. I would take just. as much care of the colored men as the Gentfrom Kentucky would do. This is a question in which the master is concerned as well as the colored man, and every colored man is taken care of, an way, by this amendment. I do not like to refuse to let the Gentfrom Kentucky have a vote upon his amendment, but I only yielded to hear it read, and I must insist on the demand for the previous question. PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR.