Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-01-22
THE RAFTSNlAN'S JQuRNAl.
pRocEEn1nas or CONGRESS-.

WASHINGTON, JAM l4.-ln the House, the
bill making an appropriation for the e1hibi-
ton of American articles at the World S Fair,
was laid on the table by large majority.
On the same day, the country was relieved of
heavy burden. The House passed vote to
destroy the franking privileges, and as the
Senate had once taken simi lar step, there
can be no doubt but that the resolution will
go through that body as smoothly as through
the other.
JAN. 15.-ln the House, on motion of Mr..
Corning (Dem.) of New York, resolve ema-
mating from the Committee of Ways and Means,
was adopted pledging Congress TO levy Inter
nal Taxes, which, with the Duties on Imports,
should produce an aggregate revenue OF $780,
000, 900 per annnm, being at least $4,000 900
more than can be and 500 900, 900 IN Ore than
ought to be required for the support OF Gov
ernment in time of peace. The levy OF such
taxes ought to make U. S. Six per cents worth
at least par, and Treasury Notes convertible
into such stocks at the pleasure of the holder
available as currency. The vote Ivy which
this resolve was passcd-l33 to 5-should
leave doubt of the determination of Con-
gress to do whatever is leedful TO sustain the
public credit and invigorate the prosecution
of the war. The Tax bills will soon be re-
ported and passed. In the Senate, much time
was occupied in debate on Gen. Lanes plan
for promoting the efficiency of the Kansas
troops, ,and with regard to the Kansas contested
seat; no result was reached Mr.. Trumble of
Illinois, from the Judiciary Committee repor-
had been referred to that Committee. The
new bill simply and bluntly DEGREES that the
property of rebels shall be confscated and
their slaves made free. The bill with few
verbal alterations may likely go through both
Houses and become law.
JAN. 16.-In the Senate, the bill forbidding
army or navy officers to return slaves was de-
bated at some length, but no result w.s reached.
Mr.. Salisbury of Delaware moved an amend
ment, in the form of new section, to the eff
feet that no officer or soldier shall decoy away
any slave from his master. This was not ia
vorably received, and will probably be killed
on the first opportunity. The Kansas contested
election case was settled in the Senate, by
confirming Gen. Lane in his seat, and sending
leave Washington to take command of his di-
vision. The bill introduced by Senator Sher-
man this morning enacts that III the printing,
engraving, lithographing, electrotyping, and
binding, of whatever description, and all
blank books and blanks of whatever kind and
character, required by either House of Con-
gress, Executive Judicial Departments, Coast
of hall ha dnn
the Government printing office and provides
for the publication, by the Superintendent, of
the Congressional Record, to contain the de-
bates and proceedings of Congress in full, in
place of The Daily Globe. This last provision
is based upon calculation that the same a
mount of printing as is contained in The Globe
for the 34th Congress can be executed at the
Government printing -cffice at saving Of
$4,000. The bill contains youminous details
carrying out these provisions. The House
Committee on Lake Defenses has had but two
meetings. 1t will recommend the erection of
Notifications at the Straits of Mackinaw, and
probably also at Fort Gratiot, which commands
the st. Clair River at its narrowest part.
Other points may be suggested, but there is
feeling in committee rooms that in sswooden
walls" We are so much stronger on the Lakes
than our Canadian ne eighbors, that few land
works are required. The House Military
Committee, at their meeting this morning,
authorized Mr.. Oln to report bill reducing
the number of Chapains to one to each brigade,
and establishing Hospital Chaplains. This
reduction has been asked for by many Chap
lains and clergymen,a ,as we'll as hosts of officers.