The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-08-07
The WorA OF Congress.

Since Congress organized, on the Fourth
of July, 1t has faithfully ana enersetically
devoted its time to the execution Of the
national policy unfolded in the Presidents
Message. 1t has met the great Difficult
ties of the country boldly, and dealt with
them wisely. 1t has put into the hands
of the executive department the whole
power Of the nation; its Legislation has
given to the administration the means Of
immediate and untrammeled action. The
importance Of It's work will become more
plain as the war progresses. The result
is a government, strong, undivided and
unfetteIed.
! A brief review of the joint measures Of
the Senate and the House will show what
vast amount of work has been compress
ed into twenty days. Immediate action was
only delayed by the reception of the de-
partment reports. One of the first reso-
lutions passed was that declaring that
only those bills to aid in destroying the
rebellion should be considered. In exc
ection of this purpose, the House Com
mittee of Ways ard Means at an early
date had prepared all the bills to be sub
mitted. The bill authorizing the Presi-
dent to call out FIVE hundred thousand
volunteers and appropriating five hundred
millions of dollars for their support, was
passed promptly, and is the great measure
of the session, which all other measures
are intended to strengthen. The bills for
the army and navy, in the aggregate, ap-
p1opriate one hundred and ninety-one
millions of dollars. The other appropri-
ations made. arc six millions Of dollars
for the back payment of volunteers three
millions Of the purchase or hire of vessels
to suppress piracy, and to aid in the block
ade; two millions for the transportation
of munitions Of war to loyal citizens in
the rebel states.
The following statement exhibits the
character Of the other important bills pass
ed by both Houses, to the present date.
The bill authorizing national loan
gives to the Secretary Of the Treasury
power to borrow within twelve months of
its passage, two hundred and fifty mill
ions of dollars, and pledges the national
faith for the redemption Of the debt. The
bill to increase the military establishment
of the United States, creates standing
army of forty thousand men. The Force
bill gives the President power to use the
army and navy in the collection Of reve-
nue., and to close ports in rebelliOus states.
The bills for the better organization Of the
army, and for the marine corps, provide
for a retired list.
The following are important bills of
miscellaneous character which have passed
both houses, viz. : for the appointment of
an assistant secretary Of the navy; for
Legislative, executive and judicial appro-
priations to authorize the Secretary Of
the Treasury to remit fines on vessels
having improper clearances; to provide
for iron clad ships and floating batteries
for the confscation of rebel property to
refund duties on arms imported by states.
| Besides these bills already passed by
Congress, ,others ofimportance have passed
the House, and await the action of the
Senate. A number Of resolutions having
forcible application to the condition Of the
country have passed. OF these, the most
interesting declare as follows: that it is
not the duty of United States soldiers to-
return fugitive slaves; that the House
will vote for any number of men and
amount of money for the suppression of
the rebellion; that the war has been
forced upon the country by the rebellion,
and that when the rebellion is destroyed
the war ought to cease; that the acts Of
the President previous to the meeting of
Congress are approved-N 7. World.
-e-%.- -~szsa-.~-s-
15~ Peace is what we want for the
preservation of the Union," exclaimed