The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-07-25
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, July Is.
2ENA TE

CONGRESSIONAL.
wAsHNGrox, July Is.
a#f SENATE.
EVENING SEssIoN.-Mr. Foster called up
the bill in relation to the competency OF
witnesses in the United States courts.
Mr.. Sumner moved to amend that no
witness be excluded on account OF color.
He spoke at some length in favor Of the
amendment, which was rejected after dis
cussion-l4 to %.
Mr.. Davis offered an amendment pr0vid.
ing for the punishment Of rebels or disloyal
persons. Rejected-l8 to -.
The bill then passed.
Mr.. Foster called up the bill amendatory
of acts prohibiting the slave trade. Passed.
The bill for the dscharging of State pris-
oners was then taken up.
Mr.. Wilson, Of Mass, moved to strike
out the two first sections of the bill, provid.
ing for the discharge of all State prisoners
and taking bail, and leaving in the bill
section authorizing the President to sus-
pend the habeas corpus act when necessary.
Mr.. Wilson said there was overwhelming
evidence in possession OF the Department
against these men. He was opposed to the
bill 10 any shape.
Mr.. Trumbull said, /" Is the Senator from
Massachusetts in favor OF putting men from
the loyal States in prison without telling
them what the charges are? How does he
know they are traitors? What is the cons
stitution good for, If, in districts where there
is peace and the laws are not interfered with,
men cannot claim the benefit of the consti.
tution?"
Mr.. Wilson continued and declared there
was overwhelming evidence against many of
| these men.
WASHINGTON, July l6.
Mr. Wilson, of Massachusetts,, from the
Military Committee, reported back the bill
to authorize the raising of volunteer force
for the better protection of the State of
Kentucky, and asked to be discharged from
its further consideration.
Mr.. Davis, of Kentucky, called the bill up
and asked it's passage.
Messrs. Wilson and Colamer opposed the
| passage of the bill.
The bill was then laid aside informally.
Here there is an omission in the dis.
patch. 1t would appear that resolution
was offered amendatory of the confscation
bill recently passed
After long DEBATE Mr.. Powell offered
as an amendment to strike out the word
"reap 80 as to have limitation of life forfeit
ure apply to property.
A long debate ensued, and Mr.. Powel's
amendment was rejected-l6 against 81.
Mr.. Clark's amendment was then adopted
rs to Is
Mr.. Clark offered further amendment,
that the words " grant amnesty" authorize
the President to restore the property seized
under the bill to any person found innocent.
Agreed to, and the resolution was passed.
The bill providing for more prompt set.
Element of the accounts of disbursing officers
was passed.
The Senate passed resolution amending
the act to provide for internal revenue.
The House resolution, providing that it
be voted an excuse for absence from duty IN
Congress to be in active military service,
was passed with an amendment making it
conditional that the military service be with.
out pay.
The bill for the discharge of State pris,
oners, &C., was taken up. The section au.
thorizing the President to suspend the ba.
be0s corpus was amended 80 as to limit it
to the tine when Congress is not in session.
MIR. Wilson's amendment to strike out
the first two sections was rejected by Is
against 10.
The bill was further amended so that
prisoners shall be discharged without taking
the oath of allegiance.
A debate ensued.
A recess was then taken till seven o..
clock.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr.. White, of Indiana, from the Select
Committee on gradual emancipation, to
whom the Presidents recent message and
draft OF a bill we're referred, reported bill
providing that. whenever the President
shall be satisfied that Maryland, Delaware,
Kentucky, Tennessee, or Missouri has
adopted measures for emancipating the
slaves throughout either or all of these
states, it shall be the duty of the Precedent,
assisted by the Secretary of the Treasury,
to procure and deliver to such State five Der
cent U. 5. bonds equal to the value of
the slaves, according to the census OF
1860; provided, no compensation shall be
made to any State which has aided the
present rebellion, or to any one that has
held or accepted any civil or military Office
under the so called Confederate States or
any one of them. The whole amount of the
bonds to be delivered shall not exceed in the
aggregate $l80.00O.00O. For the purpose
OF settling the slaves beyond the limits of
the United States. $4,000, 900 are appro.
priated. to be expended in colonization at
the discretion of the President. The benefits
of this act shall not enure to any State fail.
ing to pass law of emancipation within
FIVE years ffom the date of the passage of
this act. The bill also provides for complete
emancipation within twenty years. If any
State, after having received any bonds as
aforesaid, shall recommend or tolerate sla.
very contrary to the act of emancipation, it