The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-12-25
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
Thfrty-Efshth COngress--lst session.

Resolred. That the Secretary of the Navy be
directed to communicate to the Senate all Off
cial dispatches and papers in the Navy Depart
ment relating to actions in which any of the
armed vessess have been engaged
On motion of Mr.. Lane, OF Kansas it was
Resolved, That the Committee. onPost Offices
and Post Roads be instructed to inquire into
the propriety of establishing what is known
as the Military Road from Lawrenceville to
Lafayette as post road.
Mr.. Lane introduced bill to grant land to
the citizens of Kansas to indemnify them for
losses.
On motion of Mr.. Sprgue, the Bounty Pay
Bill was taken up and recSmmitted to the
Committee on Military Affairs
A document from the Secretary of the Treas.
ury communicating the report Of Prof. A. D..
Bache, for the year ending May LIST, 1868, and
the report of Thomas Brown, Agent of the
Treasury in California.
The following message was received from
the President:
herewith lay before you letter addressed
to myself by gentlemen representing the Freed
men Society in Boston, New York, Philadel.
phia and Cincinnati. The subject of this letter,
as indicated above, is one of great magnitude
and Importance, and one which these gentle
men, of known ability and high character,
seem to have considered with care. Not hay
ing time to form q mature judgment of my
own as to whether the plan they suggest lie the
best, l submit the whole subject to Congress.
deeming that their attention thereto is almost
imperatively demanded.
(signed) ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Mr.. FOOte moved that when the Senate adj
journs it adjeurns until Monday next
I1OUSE.-The House passed the bill for pay
ment of Invalid and other pensions for the year
ending June, 1865.
On motion of Mr. Morrill, q resolution was
0dn m Of no
ury for all documents showing the practical
operation of the so-called Reciprocity Treaty.
which may be in his possession
The House then adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 81, 1868.
SENATE.-Mr. Dixon introduced various
petitions praying for the amendment of the
enrolment act so that ministers of the gospel
may be regarded as nOn.cOmbatants, and be
employed in the service as cbaplains.
Mr.. Harlan presented a petition of citizens
of Iowa, praying for the total abolition of
slavery.
Mr.. Wilson gave notice of bill to make it
illegal for any member of Congress to act as
counsel in any case in which the United States
is interested
Mr.. Morgan submitted joint resolution
calling upon the Secretary Of War for the
names of all officers and men of the regular
army who have deserted or resigned between
the LIST of December, 1860. and December.
1863 Adopted.
Mr.. Foote offered . similar resolution rela.
tive to the navy.
HOUSE The Speaker laid before the House
letters addressed to the President from the
Freed Mems Society of Boston, New York and
Cincinnati Referred to Committee on Eman-
cipation.
A message was received from the President
informing the House that he had approved and
signed the resolution of thanks to Gen. Grant
and the armies under him, and for gold med
ais, &c;
ed in the affirmative on Mr.. Green Clay Smiths
resolutions, adopted on Friday.
On motion of Mr.. Dawes, of Massachusetts.
the documentary evidence in the various con-
tested elections, was ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Blair, of Missouri, from the Committee
on Ways and Means, introduced bill appro-
priating over $500, 900 to carry into effect the
act of March, 1862 for pay, bounty and pensions
to the officers and men actually employed in
the western, or Department of Missouri
Mr.. Cox, of Missouri, objected to the con-
sidcratiSn of the bill at this time.
Mr.. King, of Missouri, advocated the pass
age of the bill. Further debate ensued, when
the bill was made the special order for to-day
at o'clock.
Mr.. Schenck, of Ohio, from the Military
Committee, reported bill repeating the third
and tenth sections OF the enrolment act SO
| that the two classes of persons to be drafted
| shall be consolidated into One-this to take
effect on and after its passage.
Objection being made to the consideration of
1.-The Pill! az this tipc, Mn :Schenck temporarily
/ :M:. :YSoinn,'. s; Kentacyy. offered a series
of. resolutions setting forth that conspiracy OF
+ persbrfs exists ASA hing to .bc a:Gofsfhheht
of: the Confederate States: for the PURPOSE of
Withdrawing States from the Fedora Union.
but that this does not eXtinguish the political
| franchise of such States and that the citizens
hereof can at any time resume their civil gov
eminent Oh the only condition that their con-
stituton is republican that is sufficient for
those who are loyal and qualified by the cleo
| ton to resume their State governments, and
this is sufficient evidence of loyalty, &c.
The House refused to second the demand for
the previous question, when, on motion of Mr..
LovejOy. the resolutions were referred to Sc
lect committee on the rebellious States
Mr.. Spaulding, of Ohio. offered a resolution
| for the appointment of a committee of nine to
consider and report on the subject of a national
bankrupt act.
/ Mr.. Hoffman moved to lay the resolution Oh
I the table. Lost-69 to 49, The resolution was
then adopted.
! Mr.. Ashley, OF Ohio. introduced bill, which
was referred, providing a provisional govern
ment in the military districts of the insurgent
States, and authorizing the loyal citizens there.
of to organize government, republican in
! form, and for other purposes.
| Mr.. Schenck introduced bill to create a
bureau of military justice. Referred to Com.
mittee on Military affairs.
. Mr.. Ashley introduced resolution granting