Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-01-14
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS

coast survey report was received. The Sec
ever been required to take oath not to bring
suit against those who arrested him, as con-
diton of discharge. Bills were noticed to
promote the efficacy of artillery in the army !;
TO prevent correspondence with the Rebels /;
to reserve from sale military sites in the Reb-
ell States; to tax bank bills. Information was
requested as to the number of desertions from
the army, and what punishment has been in
hicted; as TO the expediency of consolidating
regiments in field so as to bring them up to l )
020 men each and as to m odifying duty on
paper. The bill from the House to raise
volunteers for the defense of Kentucky was
discussed. and recommitted to the Commit
tee on Military Affairs. The Bankrupt bill
was then taken up, the question pending on
homestead from execution, in accordance with
the laws of the different States. Without
disposing of the subject, the Senate went into
Executive Session. IS THE House, the bill
to abrogate treaties with the Sioux was passed =,
IS to IL. bill was proposed to prevent the
admission to the rolls of Congress of names Of
members elected under special proclamations
of Generals or Military Governors. 1t pro-
vIdes that the Clerk shal enter the names only
of those who present certificates of election
duly authenticated by the Governors of the
loyal States; that from the passage of this act
a quorum of each House shall consist of ma
jority of those elected from the loyal States ;
in counting the electoral vote, the same rule
is to be observed, and no State shall be coun-
ted excepting those represented in Congrers
at the time Of the Presidential election. A
bill was offered providing for Governments in
any Rebel sections until the loyal people could
reesta blsh regular off ,ers. Leave was asked
to introduce joint resolution approving, rati
flying and affirming the Emancipation Procla-
nation. Bills were introduced for the survey
of swamp lands in California; to- set apart
land for railroads in Washington Territory !;
for State Government in Colorado to pro-
vide means for the support of the Government
Resolutions were offered to examine into In
dian affairs and to inquire into the loss of the
Monitor. There was discussion concerning
the payment of the stocks 1912, but no vote
The Diplomatic appropriation bill was brought
in. After discussing the Executive appropri-
alton bill, the House adjourned
In Senate, on January 9th, the bill to sus-
pend temporarily the act to prevent and pun
ish fraud on the part of officers intrusted with
making contracts for the Government was re-
ported back and put upon its passage, but
after discussion was postponed. The joint
resolution to hurry up the pay of soldiers and
sailors was referred to the Finance Commit
tee. The bill concerning the discharge of
State prisoners was taken up, and Mr.. Wright
spoke against the amendment to strike out
the section authorizing the President to sus-
pend the writ of habeas corpus. No vote
was taken. A bill was introduced providing
for greater comfort for sick and wounded SOL
diers. In TIE House, the Select Committee
on Emancipation reported back bill to aid
Missouri in securing the abolition of Slavery
therein. 1t provides for the issue of ten mil
ions of thirty-years bonds, payable to loyal
owners, the Government pledging itself to the
deportation and colonization of the freedmen
The Pro-Slavery members were thrown into
great excitement, and used every means in
| their power to defeat, delay, or weaken the
bill but they were unsuccessful, and it was
adopted by 73 against 46. The Committee of
Ways and Means We're instructed to inquire
into the expediency of issuing Treasury Notes
bearing 3.65 interest, the amount issued
to be equal to the amount of Tender Notes
in circulation, and such other sums as the de-
mand of the public service for the current
year shall require, under certain regulations
A bill wrs passed to allow certain articles not
now mailable to be sent to the soldiers in the
army by their friends at home, on book postage
rates, one cent per ounce. The remainder of
the session was spent in discussion upon the
Executive Appropriation bill.
In Senate on January 9Th, a bill in relation
to bounties to volunteers was passed. A bill
was introduced TO pay Minnesota for suppress
sing Indian hostilities. A bill respecting the
Judiciary system was referred. Also bill to
prevent correspondence with Rebels also to
regulate the appointment of midshipmen al
so for the protection of overland emigrants !;
also to repeal the law authorizing the appoint
ment of Rear Admirals and Commodores on
the retired list. Mr.. Field spoke on the bill
relative to the discharge of State prisoners.
The bill authorizing the Pres ident to issue
| letters Of marque was referred to the Naval
| Committee. The bill to forfeit the pay of
absent officers was discussed Mr. Wilson said
there were Z, 800 now absent, with and with
out leave. The bill was passed. IN THE
HOUSE the subject of Introducing Homeopathy
into the army doctoring was dropped. A
joint resolution was passed that each State