Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-12-17
CONGRESSIONAL pRocEEp1xes.

IN THE SENATE on the 9th, after Severai res
olutions asking for information on this and
that, among other things calling for the cor
respondence relating to the Army of the Po-
tomac since its first movement, bill was Of
fered providing for the developement of tie
mineral resources of the country. Mr.. Sauls-
bury wanted to get through his resolution rel
alive to arrests in Delaware, but the Senate
did not come to a vote. bill concerning
judgments in certain suits against the United
States was amended aud passed. The Bank
rupt bill was made the special order for the
18th inst. Mr.. Garret Davis proposed a new
mode of electing President and Vice Presi-
dent, calculated to remove the matter still
further from the people. His idea seems to
be that each State shall nominate or elect one
person, and out of these State candidates, Con-
gress shall elect the two officers. In THE
HOUSE, after some calls for information, cor
respondence, &c, the bill to indemnify Presi-
dent Lincoln and the officers Of the Govern
ment against actions for the suspension of the
writ Of habeas corpus and summary arrests
was called up. OF course, Mr.. Vallsndigham
| and Mr.. Cox objected. After some discus
sion, and several motions for delay and to de-
feat by indirect attack, the bill was adopted
by vote of 80 to As. Among the Nays are
Cox of Ohio and Thomas of Massachusetts,,
Crittenden of Kentucky and Vallandigham of
Ohio, Conway of Kansas and Cris6eld of Ma
ryland, Goodwin of Maine and Wickf1ffe of
Kentucky, Sheffield of Rhode Island and Nor
ton of Missouri. All Kentucky voted dead a
amend the Tax Law so that whiskey- makers
would not have to make returns. Varions
other amendments to the Tax law were sug-
gested. bill was introduced to protect and
grant relief to the loyal States whose property
and slaves have been wrongfully taken seized,
and distracted by officers and soldiers of the
United States. The Committee of Ways and
Means was instructed to inquire to the expe-
diency OF modifying the Tax law to dis
pense with Tax on advertisements. In Com
mittee of the Whole, Mr.. Richardson OF Ili-
nois made an xcelent speech for jeff Davis
and traitors and treason 10 general, under pre-
text of abusing President Lincoln.
In THE SENATE on the 9th, Secretary Stan
ton, replied to an inquiry that the War De-
partment had no information concerning col
ored freemen captured from the Rebels and
afterward sold into Slavery. A bill was offer
ed to increase the bonds of the Superinten-
dent of Printing. Mr.. Hale introduced a bill
to abolish tn, grade of medical officers in the
army. He understood that many of these med
ical officers could not speak word of Eng
lish, but they put on shoulder straps, and went
| about exercising ssmilitary authority" instead
| of :smedical skill.' The resolution concern
| ing summary arrests in Delaware was taken
| up and debated until the hour of adjournment.
| In THE HOUSE the bill for the admission of
West Virginia was taken up. 1t was opposed
by NJ. Conway of Kansas. After some debate,
the bill was showed aside by the special order
"a bill authorizing collectors and assessors
and their assistants under the Tax law to ad :
minister oaths, &c. This bill was passed. The
admission of West Virginia was discussed un-
til the adjournment. No vote was taken.
In THE SENATE on the 10th, bill was repor-
ted to establish an arsenal and ordnance depot
| on the tide waters of New York harbor. A
joint resolution was proposed TO forfeit the
lands and annuities of the Sioux, and to re-
move the Indians far away from the white set.
Elements. resolution was adopted instruc-
ting the joint Committee on the Conduct of
| the War to report as soon possible. The
| bill for the relief of the owners of the French
ship Jules ct Marie was passed also the bill
increasing the bonds of the Superintendent of
Public Printing. Mr.. Henderson gave notice
| of bill to aid emancipation in Missouri. In
THE HOUSE, the Secretary of War was requir
ed TO state how m my officers are now absent
from their commands, the number of Major
and Brigadier Generals not in active service,
and all about their respective stats, with a
view to dispensingi with such aids as may be
discharged without injury to the service. The
admission of West Virginia was discussed for
long time, and finally adopted by vote of
| SO to 55. Three members elected as Regular
| Democrats voted for the bill, and nine who
were elected as Republicans voted against it,
Most of the so-called Union men voted in the
| negative.
lNTHE SENATE on the 1lth, bill was offer
ed to amend the Territorial Law of Utah. The
bill relative to the appointments in the navy
was indefinitely postponed. A message was
received from the President in answer to the
resolution of the Senate calling for informa-
| tion and evidence relative to the Indian bar
| barities in the State of Minnesota. The reso-
luton in reference to arbitrary arrests, was de-
bated for the remainder of the session by
Messrs. Salisbury and Powell in favor, and
Messrs. Morrill,, Wright, Fessenden and 9TH
ers, in opposition. In THE HOUSE, Mr.. Fem
ton proposed to detail ship of war to convoy