Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-02-11
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

| AUTHORIZING tne freSldent 10 make quallned
/ pardons, so as to remit fines and relieve from
imprisonment. Several bills were reported
among them the bill to change the time of
holding the District Courts of the United
States; the bill to prevent correspondence
/ with Rebels; the joint resolution to revive
the act to secure to the officers and men en-
ployed in the Department of the West and
Missouri their pay, bounty, and pensions the
bill to amend an act to prevent officers of the
Government and members of Congress from
taking consideration for pecuniary contracts,
office, or place; and adversely on the bill to
harmonic admiralty jurisdiction also, on
the bill to divide the State of Mich igan into
two judicial districts, and also on the resolu-
| tion TO increase the fees of United States Mar.
| shais IN California. bill was introduced to
| sell Indian reservations in California and es-
| tablish new ones. The resolutions about the
| French IN Mexico were tabled, "a to 8. The
League Island bill was killed. The bill for
| the encouragement of reenlstments and the
enrolling and drafting of the militia was ia
| ken up. An amendment was adopted, provi-
ding that drafted man may procure sub
| stitute. Another amendment was adopted
providing that no clothes, arms or eonip-
ments shall be sold, exchanged, pledged. or
given away and when such articles are found
| In the possession of any person not soldier
or officer, they may be seized. An amend
ment was adopted, providing that any officer
absent with leave shall receive only half paw.
and when absent without leave, in addition to
the penalties now provided, he shall forfeit all
his pay, except when sick or wounded. On a
motion to strike ont the second section. Civ
ing the President power to make all rules and
regulations for enrolling and drafting the mi
litia, there was long debate, chiefly as to the
number of Democrats in the army. The mo-
tion was lost-Yeas, 81 Nays, 33. No vote
was taken on the bill itself. In THE HOUSE.
report was made adversely on the credentials
of j. B. McLoud claiming seat from the lid
District of Virginia and also the appIica-
ton of his contestant, w. W. Wing. The
CoastwiSe Submarine Telegraph bill was a.
dopted, II to 63. The bill for the codifica-
tion of the statutes failed, 40 to SO. The
Ship Canal bill was discussed, but postponed
until Friday. bill was passed for the pro-
| lection OF overland emigrants to the States
and Territories the Pacific coast 1t ap-
propriates $4,000 to be expended under the
direction of the Secretary OF War; A bill to
establish an Ambulance corps was passed 1t
authorizes the permanent enlistment of 2O,-
600 men for the performance of such duties.
A colonel is provided as head of the CORDS
with first lieutenant for every 100 men,
sergeant for every 90 men. and corporal for
bill for the more efficient administration of
the Subsistence Department. 1t provides for
brIgadier- general as the chief, two colonels
as assistant comm ssaries, and maior the
selection to be made either from the army or
volunteer forces. The Committee on Militia
| ry Affairs reported back the House bill, with
the Senate's amendments, authorizing 20,-
600 men to be raised in Kentucky, for twelve
months, for the defense OF that State, &c.
The amendment agreed to-so the bi II
has passed both Houses
In THE SENATE, February 5th, bill was in
| troduced to aid the construction of railroads
| and telegraphs in Kansas. Mr.. Wall offered
resolution to inquire into an ssarbitrary ar
rest," but it was laid over. The bill in rela-
tioD to Jurors in the United States Courts
was passed also the bill concerning Courts
in Washington Territory also the bill to
temporarily supply vacancies in Executive
| Departments also the bill to change the time
of holding certain District Courts. The bill
encouraging enlistments, and the enrolment
| and drafting of the military was taken up
| The pending question to ST rike out the 4th
| section was discussed at considerable length
The motion to strike out the section was lost
and the bill was recommitted to the Military
Committee. resolution was adopted that
the Senate be informed of the actual number
of soldiers raised since the war began. In
THE House, bill making 81 new post routes
was passed. The Senate's amendments to the
| Legislative Appropriation bill were taken up.
A joint resolution to codify the Naval laws
was passed also, bill amending the Naval
Pension Act so as to give in certain SIS per
month cases $50 per month. Some amend. ;.
meDts were made to the Naval Appropria tion
bills as to war steamers, it was provided that
no contracts shall be entered into for con-
struction, until proposals have been solicited
from the principal iron shipbuilders, and made
on the most favorable terms An appropria-
tion for the Brooklyn Navy Yard was increas
ed in ordered to accommodate three vessels
now building there 428 feet in length.
The NashvNe Union truly remarks: .sPhere
can be no true Democracy while treason keens
its armies in the field, except war Democracv.
The office hunters who, at a time like this.
| preach peace, peace, in the North, may be