Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-12-31
w AsHTNGTON. Dec. %.
SENATE.

to.
Senator Howe submitted a joint resolution
for the relief Of the State of Wisconsin. Mr.
Howe's resolution is as follows:
ResoEred By the Senate and House of Representa-
tires Of the United States, That the Secretary of
the Department of the Interior, be and is hereby
authorized to allow to the State of Wisconsin five
per cent of the net proceeds derived from the sale
of public lands, provided in the act of 9th Au-
gust, 1S46, and shall make settlement OF that
CONT charging to the State 1875 4Z2 acres of land
granted the territory of Wisconsin, aid in the
construction of the Lake Michigan 81 Rock River
Canal in said State, &c:
Senator Wilson Union) introduced a bill
concerning members as follows:
No Senator, Representative, or Delegate in Con-
gress shall, during his contin as such, be en-
ployed, with without com pensaton as attorney
counsel, directly Indirectly, in any suit, case
matter i'll which the United States are interested
as party, or otherwise pending to be heard or
determined in any court before any department
or tribunal whatever, either civil milit airy.
The joint resolution of the House, appro-
priating S2O,OO0,OO0 for the bounties ad-
vance paw and premium of enlisted men was
taken up.
On motion of Senator Wilson, the addition
al provision of $4,000 to supply deficiency in
printing was stricken out.
Senator Fessenden (Union) moved that a.
provision be inserted that no part of this sum
be paid to any enlisted man after the 9Th of
January next which was adopted
Senator Fessenden (Union) moved that that
provision be so amended that 10 bounty be
paid after the 9TH of January except such as
is now provided for by existing laws.
Senator Sherman (Union) opposed the pol
icy Of paying bounties, and favored adher-
ance to the present bounties offered
Senator Cowan (Union) asked how are we
70 +l,o q
these bounties are not offered?
Senator Sherman replied that the enlist
ments did not expire generally till July or
August next, atfording ample time to fill the
ranks anew.
The vote upon Senator Fessendens amend
ment was then taken, as follows: Yeas, % ::
nays, 8. The resolution was then reported
to the Senate.
Senator Wilson offered an additional sec
ton, to the effect that the money received
from drafted persons shall be paid into the
Treasury Of the United States, to be drawn
out on requlsitiOn as other money, and be
appropriated to the payment of bounties and
procurement Of substitutes. After few re-
marks the amendment was adopted, and the
resolution was then read a third time and
passed without a dissenting voice.
Senator Grimes (Uni0n) reported the House
joint resolution giving the thanks of Congress
to Capt. John Rodgers, which was adopted.
The House resolution for adjournment on
Wednesday to Thursday, the 9TH of January,
was taken up, and on motion of Senator Fes-
sender was laid on the table.
The bounty and pay bill pending, was laid
on the table.
On motion of Senator Wilson, Unon) the
enrolment bill was taken up, and the com
mites amendments from first to eighth,
acted upon seriot5no and adopted.
Senator Dixon (Union) offered a resolution
eNemptn9 clergymen, and supported it in a
speech. A vote was then taken. on this
amendment, resulting: yeas s, noes 33.
Senator Wilson offered an amendment, Of
fering to persons who may enlist in any of
the seeded States the benefits of the pro-
visions of the act After few remarks, he
Withdrew the amendment temporarily.
The bill lies over
Senator Trumbull (Union) submitted the
following:
Resolved That the Secretary of War be directed
to furnish the Senate the names of all Major and
Brigadier Generals who are without commands
stating how long each has been without such COM
mand, and whether each has staff, and if So how
numerous and of what rank, and what amount of
pay, including communication and rations, each to-
gether with the members of his staff have been re-
the Senate how many Major and Brigadier Generals
are in command of departing nts and districts and
posts in the loyal States, aud whether any neces-
sity exists that requires that those districts de-
partments and posts should be commanded by Off
GERS of such high rank, with their numerous and
expensive Statfs.
The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
Mr.. Stevens Union) from the Ways and
Means committee, reported the Postotfice ap-
preparation bill, which was made the special
order for the 9th of January.
Mr.. Holman Dem from the committee on
Claims reported resolution requesting the
lst Comptroller of the Treasury to suspend
proceedings relative to the claim of Cormack
4 Ramsay, involving nearly 100000, on
account OF carrying the mail, until further
action of Congress. After debate, in the
course of which Mr.. Morrill, (Union) moved
to take the subject from the Comptroller's
hands, the resolution was adopted, 10 to Sc.
The House resumed the consideration of
the bill reported yesterday to pay the off
GERS and men called upon for home defense
in the Western or Missouri Department.
Messrs. McClurg, Boyd, Blow and King, all of
Missouri, earnestly advocated the bill In
the course of the debate it was said that the
Home Guard of Missouri -t4re the first to
bear the hardships and privations of a sol
dier's life, and had it not been for them Mis-
souri, would now be a rebel State. Specula-
tors on false representations were buying the
claims at so to so per cent. discount, and the
early passage of the bill would end this
swindling.
Mr.. Cox's amendment was adopted. 1t
secures the payment of the money to those
interested in it. After further debate the
bill passed. 1t appropriates $4,000 to the
officers and men in the Western or Missouri
Department.
The Military Academy bill then passed
A resolution was adopted instructing the
Committee on Military Affairs to make i'm
mediate inquiry into the expediency of
amending the enrolment law, so as to compel
Provost Marshals to hold their examinations
for physical disability at country towns.
Mr.. Philip Johnson, of Pa, (Dem) offered
the following preamble and resolution:
WHEREAS, The Supreme judicial tribunal of the
State of Pennsylvania has decided, solemnly that
tue act of March Sd, 1868, commonly called the
of the provisions of the Constitution, and there
fore null and void therefore
ReSolred That it is the sworn duty of the Execu-
tive Department of the Government either to &C
quesce in the decision of that State. or bring the
question involved before the Supreme Court of
the United States for final adjudication, the end
that IL CoAsfeSs sAatA oeem Sucn legislation neceS
sary bill shall be reported, subject to the
stituJional objections.
The resolution was laid on the table by a
vote of 50 against 43.
The House then concurred in the Senate
amendments to the bill, appropriating 800
100000 for the payment of bounties and pre-
miums.
The House then adjourned
->N>
LAKE SUPERIOR SLyER.-Egidenee of the
richness of the silver deposits in the Lake
Superior country seem to be constantly accu-
mulating. The Houghton Gazette, of Nov
81 OF saws.