The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-07-19

to get few disconnected sentences.
A bill was introduced increasing che pay
of soldiers to SIS per month from May lst,
1861 also q bill reducing the expenses OF
the Government.
The following resolution was offered:
Resolved, That committee be appointed
by the Speaker to ascertain and report what
contracts had been made by any of the De.
partments for any articles furnished for the use
Of the Government without advertising for'pr0-
posals, as required by statute also to report
the names OF parties to whom contracts have
been given, with the compensation and terms
the contracts were awarded to the lowest bid
der, and il not, the reason therefor; also,
whether the contracts az let are in accordance
with the specifications inviting the proposals,
and If any alteration, the reason for the same;
also. whether any person or persons have any
interest in the contracts thus made and award
ed; and that the said committee shall have
power to send for persons and papers, to ad-
minister oaths, to examine witnesses, and to
report at any time.
On motion Of Mr.. Upton Of Va, it was
resolved that the Secretary Of War be dis
rected to instruct the officers Of the United
States when taking prisoners and releasing
them upon their oath of allegiance to the
United States, to report their names and
residences.
On motion Of Mr.. LOOMS of Ct, it was
resolved that the committee on judiciary
be and are hereby instructed to prepare
and report to this House bill for public
act to confscate the property of all persons
holding any offics whatever, either civil or
military, under the Government of any
State or of the so called Confederate
States of America" who have taken up or
who shall hereafter take up arms against
the Government.
WASHINGTON, July 10.
SENArE.-Mr. Sunderland was elected
chaplain of the present session.
Mr.. Clark offered resolution expelling
the seeded Senators. Laid over.
The Senate resolution to approve
certain acts of the President was then taken
up.
Mr.. Powell, OF Kentucky, wished the
matter laid over, as he wished to make some
remarks.
Mr.. Fessenden said it could not be ex-
pected that business would be done in the
usual way or put off to give time for
speeches.
Mr.. King offered an amendment that in
six months after the re-establishment of the
authority of the United States the standing
army be reduced to the footing of the act OF
January, 1861.
Mr.. Latham said that, as member of
the military committee, he wished to ex-
plain. He had not agreed to all the provi-
sions of the bill. He saw no reasons for
the increase of the regular army and sus-
pension of the act of hobeas corpus, though
he was willing to endorse the acts of the
President.
Mr.. King said be was willing to sustain
all acts OF the President, and vote for any
amount of men and money till only one flag
foated over the whole country.
Mr.. Lane, of Indiana, contended that the
army needed to be increased, and believed
coercion the only means Of sustaining the
government. He would sanction no peace
until the death of avowed traitors, who
lead rebellion, not simply by steel of soldier,
but by felon's death by halter.
Mr.. Kennedy said be was still more OPP
posed to coercion now than before. They
might fight for twenty years and not recon
struct the Union. He saw no reason for
the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus.
Mr.. Wilson said that the organization of
band of traitors at Baltimore, who muir.
dered brave men going to save the country,
was sufficient justification for the present.
Mr.. Kennedy replied that no man la
mented more than himself that occurrence,
and no man did more to suppress that mob
and save the soldiers than Marshal Kane.
He (Mr. Kennedy was opposed to the
secessionists in Maryland.
HoUsE-A message was received from
the Senate, informing the House of the
passage Of bill refundiDg and renting
duties on arms imported by the States since
the first day of January last.
Mr.. Stevens asked that the bill be put on
its passage.
Mr.. Burnett, of Kentucky, said am
perhaps one OF the few members who think
not only the commencement, but prosecu-
ton OF the present war, might have been
or may now be, avoided by proper efforts
on the part of the National Administration.
Entertaining this opinion, / am one OF those
indisposed to resort to force under any cir
cumstances, believing under the theory Of
our government that the Union can never
be held together in that way. Hence it is
my purpose, representing Congressional
District OF Kentucky, to oppose both by
my voice and vote, every movement looking
to the prosecution of war against the sece.
ded Sites. These being my views and
sentiments, cannot and will not, under
any circumstances, give my vote for meas
ures which lead to the involvement of our
common country in bloody struggle, the
result of which, to both sections. will be the
destruction Of their material and best inter-
ests, and the prostration Of Republican
government on this continent.
Mr.. Mallory, Of Kentucky, said-I have
risen simply to protest, in the name OF Ken
lucky and her Union Representatives on
this floor, against the remarks made by my
colleague, (Mr. Burnett) and to say an
overwhelming majority will support and
maintain the Government and Constitution
of the United States.
(Applause on the floor and in the gale
ries, which the Speaker promptly rebuked.)
Mr.. Mallory resumed, saying, what /