The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1861-08-01
The Work of Congress.

The Work of Congress.
Since Congress organized, on the
Fourth of July, it has faithfully and en-
ergetically devoted its time to the exc
cution of the national policy unfolded
in the Presidents Message. 1t has
met the great difficulties of the country
boldly, and dealt with them wisely. 1t
has put into the hands of the executive
department the whole power of the ma
ton; its legislation has given to the
administration the means of immediate
and untrammeled action. The impor-
lance of its work will become more
plain as the war progresses. The re-
suit is government, strong, undivided
and unfettered.
A brief review of the joint measures
eff the Senate and the House will show
what vast amount of work has been
compressed in one month. Immedi.
ate action was only delayed by the re-
eeption of the department reports.
One of the first resolutions passed was
that declaring that only those bills to
aid in destroying the rebellion should
be considered. In execution of this
purpose, the House Committee of
Ways and Means, at an early date had
prepared all the bills intended to be
submitted. The bill authorizing the
President to call out five hundred thous-
and volunteers, and appropriating five
hundred million dollars for their sup
port, 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, appropriate
one hundred and ninety-one millions of
dollars. The other appropriations
made, are six millions of dollars for the
back payment of volunteers three
millions for the purchase or hire of ves-
sells to suppress the piracy, and aid in
the blockade; 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
passed 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
millions 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 a standing army of forty thous-
and men. The Force bill gives the
President power to use the army and
navy in the collection Of revenue, and
to close ports in rebellious states. The
bills for the better organization of the
army, and for the marine corps, provide
for retired list.
The following are important bills OF
miscellaneous character which have
passed both Houses, viz: for the ap-
pointment of an assistant Secretary of
the Navy; for legislative, executive
and judicial appropriations; to author
ize the Secretary of the Treasury to
remit fines on vessels having improper
clearances; to provide for iron-olad
ships and floating batteries; for the
con6scation of rebel property; to re-
fund duties on arms imported by states.
Besides these bills already passed by
Congress. others of Importance have
passed the House, and await the action
of the Senate. A number of resolu-
tons having forcible application to the
condition of the country have been
passed. Of these, the most interesting
declore as follows: that it is not the
duty OF the United States soldiers to
return fugitive slaves; that the House
viii vote for any number of men and
amount of money for the suppression
of the rebellion; that the war has beer
forced upon the country by the rebel
lion, and that when the rebellion is de-
stroyed the war ought to cease; that
the acts of the President previous to
the meeting of Congress are approved.
Our Loss at Manassas.
Our losses continue to grow less with
every additional report from the seat
of War, until it has at last dwindled
down to eight hundred and fifty, all
told-three hundred and fifty missing.
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