Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-12-26
Congressional Summary.

l
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.
SESArE.-A petition for bankrup. act wa
presented.
A bill for tho protection of overland emf
grants to the Pacific was introduced.
A resolution was offered that the Commute,
on the Conduct Of the War be directed t
inquire into the facts relative to the late battle
at Fredericksburg. Adopted.
The bill to facilitate the discharge from th,
army Of disabled soldiers, and for the inspec
ton Of convalescent camps and the hospitals
of the army, was taken up, and after consid
cradle discussion was passed.
The bill to improve the cavalry force was
taken up and passed.
The bankrupt act was taken up, and Mr.
Foster addressed the Senate in favor of its
passage Adjourned.
HOUSE The bill extending relief to loyal
men for slaves wrongfully taken was reported
back from the Committee on Judiciary, with
the recommendation that it do not pass.
After long debate the bill was laid on the
table, by Sc against As.
A resolution inquring whether letters Of
marque ought not be issued for the capture Of
certain vessels fitting out in ports of Great
Britain was adopted.
The army bill appropriating 1891, $1,000
tab ,,N Al tbof pOno IF
the appropriation should be used for the bene.
fit of runaway slaves or for emancipating or
colonizing them was agreed to, when the bill
was reported to the House and passed-l07
against 3.
The House went into Committee on the
Whole on the bill to enable the testing of
breech. loading cannon.
Adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.
SENArE.--A resolut on was offered instruct
ing the Secretary of the Navy to give some
information in regard to volunteers in the
naval service.
A resolution was offered instructing tie
Secretary of War to inform the Senate of the
character of the tribunal constituted to report
on the operations of Gen. Buell. in Kentucky
AMI Tennessee. Laid over.
The memorial Of the National War Com
If New York, asking Congress to authorize
etters of marque to private vessels for the
capture of the Alabama, was presented.
A bill was introduced granting pecuniary
lid to Missouri to emanc;pate the slaves Of
hat State. Referred.
The resolution p, DIVIDING for a joint COM
nittee on the Presidents message was post.
)oned.
The Vice President called up the bankrupt
'ct, it being the unfinished business Of yes
erday. Several verbal amendments were
made. Adjourned till Monday.
::HousE.-The following resolution was
dopted:
Resolred, That the Secretary of the Inte-
'ior transmit any communication receive
d from John Seys, Agent to Liberia for re-
aptured Africans and others, as to the course |
aiken with regard to such persons as were
anded in that Republic in 1860 and in 1861, |
greeable to the orders of the Government.
A resolution was offered that the Commit
ee on Military Affairs be instructed to in
uire into the ext ediency, and reports bill by
which soldiers who have been rendered unfit
or duty be at once discharged from service,
nd that all soldiers in military hospitals, fit
Or duty, be returned to their regiments
'assed
Mr.. Casey, rising to privileged question,
aid that Mr.. Benz. F. o. Flanders was the
,ember elect from the I'd District of Louisi-
ma, and moved that he be sworn.
Mr.. vallandigham objected to tie swear
az in.
The papers were referred to the Committee
n Elections.
A resolution was adopted tnstructing the
'om. on Ways and Means to inquire into the
xpediency Of providing by law for the Office
t Assistant Commissioner of Internal Reve.
ue, for the Pacific States and Territories.
A resolution instructing the Com. on Naval
A1airs to investigate the condition of the
[emphis Navy Yard was adopted.
The bill providing for the payment of in
Aid and other pensions, after being so amend.
that no par: of the money appropriations
hall be paid to any person who had given
id or comfort to the enemy, passed.
The House adjourned till Monday.
WASHINGTON, Dec. %.
SENATE. The following resolution was
ffered:
Resolved, That Select Committee of three
,embers be appointed to inquire into and re-
ort to the Senate the facts in regard to char
ring transport vessels for tho Banks expe-
ition the sea-worthiness of such vessels
nd tho characterof the men employed to nav
ate them, and the Committee be empowered
} send for persons and papers.
After slight modification the resolution
'as adopted.
A memorial was presented, signed by nearly
Il the express companies of the United
tates, asking an amendment to the Internal
.evenue Law.
A bill to pay the funeral expenses of the
tie Senator Baker was passed.
Mr.. Davis introduced bill requiring the
resident to appoint Commissioner to
dust and settle accounts and debts between
1e Federal Government and any State
aring existence of the rebellion. Referred.
The resolution relative to sending troops