The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1863-02-06

Committee on Agriculture was instructed
to inquire into the expediency OF collect
ing agricultural statistics through the As
SCISSORS of the Internal Revenue.
Mr.. Wallace, the delegate from Wash
ington Territory, offered Il resolution,
which was adopted, inquiring as to the ex-
pediency OF devoting the proceeds from
public lands to instruction in the military
profession.
On motion Of Mr.. Harrison. it was
Resolred, That the Committee on Ways and
Means be instructed to inquire as TO the eXpe-
diency of an act prohibiting banks and ind-
viduals from receiving deposits of gold to ST.
cure the payment of money borrowed, and that
they inquire whether such an act will not pre-
vent the speculation in gold now going on, and
thereby protect the government and people
from the evils of such speculation, and that the
Committee have leave to report by bill or 9th
erWise
The negro soldier bill was then taken up.
Mr.. Hickman modified his substitute,
striking out the distinction of white or
cOlOred as to commissioned officers.
Mr.. Maynard moved to refer the sub
ject to the military committee.
WASHINGTON, January 80.
HoUsE. Mr.. Colfax offered the follow
ing resolution, which was adopted:
Resolyed, That the General-in-C Chief be re-
quested to inform the House whether paroles
have been granted to any rebel officers captured
since the proclamation of JEFF. Davis.
On motion of Mr.. Sheffield, a special
committee was appointed to inquire into
the truth Of the charges contained in a
h1o4 fha <,{
Patents.
A message was received from the Presi-
dent, recommending the passage of reso-
luton of thanks to Admiral Porter for his
bravery and skill at Arkansas Post. Re-
ferred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 81.
SENATE.-The resolution rendering the
thanks of Congress to Commander Worden
was passed.
Mr.. McDougal called up the resolution
requesting the Pres dent to transmit to the
Senate the order, papers, &C., relative to
the expectation of arms, &c, to Mexico,
for the use of the French army. The reso-
luton was adopted.
HOUsE.-The consideration of the negro
soldier bill was resumed.
Mr. Stevens said that within few
months the time of enlistment of several
hundred thousand of our volunteers would
expire. Hence the necessity of passing
this bill.
Mr. Thomas replied that the bill, as re-
ported and prepared at the War Depart
ment, contained no such provision. If
negro soldiers were to be employed for five
years to put down the rebellion, the term
was too long; if to exterminate or subju-
gate the South, the term was too short.
He thought that from the commencement
of the war the House had legislated too
much on the subject, and he still believed
that if President Lincoln had laid down a
policy at the beginning of the contest and
compelled adherence to that, it would
have been far better. II was unfortunate
that the President should have imposed
the task on Congress. The employment
of black men did not rest on their capac-
ity and efficiency as soldiers, but as labor
ers. Slaves, he maintained, constituted
elements of strength and power to the
rebels. If such persons had from the be-
ginning been employed in digging en-
trenchment> and other labor, the lives of
many men would have been saved. If he
had been in command of the troops, he
would have sent out and gathered in all
the negroes he could find for the per-
tormance of such labor