The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-02-13
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Z


WASHINGTON, Feb. z.
SENATE.--A communication was received
from the Secretary of the Interior, ask
ing for an increased appropriation for land
officers in Kansas. House bill to promote
the efficiency in the commissary depart
ment, was passed.
Mr.. Cowan presented memorial from
W. Cornell Jewett, for the admission of
Colorado into the Union as State.
Mr.. Harris presented memorial from
the merchants and importers of New York,
praying that legal tender notes may be
used for paying customs.
HoUsE.-The House resumed the con-
sideration of the Illinois and New York
Ship Canal bill.
Mr.. Kellogg thought the discussion
would not change vote, but he wished to
show that as early as 1887 the question
was agitated of connecting the waters of
the Cults, St. Lawrence and Mexico. Re-
ferring to the report of the Committee on
Naval Affairs, Mr.. Kellogg said the au-
thor OF it, MIR. Conkling, no one would sup
pose had lived on a line of railroad
which had during the last year made five
millios on capital stock of thirteen mil
lions, njudging from that gentlemans opp
sition to the bill. But great men would
differ In the further advocacy Of the
measure, he said the Government was ask
ed only to lend its credit, and the tolls of
the Illinois and Michigan Canal now paid
more than the interest on the 100000
expended by Illinois on that work.
MIR. +. A. Conkling explained that the
report OF the Committee on Naval Affairs,
which he'd been attacked, was made pur-
suant to instructions from the House. The
Committee inquired into the naval and
military aspect of the work, and in the ex-
aminations before them no commercial
rivalries were represented. He had made
up his mind to vote against any measure
which would cause either the money or the
credit of the Government to deviate from
what Ne conceived should be their exclu-
sive employment crushing by force of
arms of this atrocious rebellion. Threats
had been made against him, in the city of
New York and here, because of his oppo-
sition to the bill. The influence of the
press had been brought to the support of
the measure in a manner almost unparal-
lelled in the history of legislation
This House was filled with its paid adj
vocates, in violation OF the rules, and this
bill had been brought here in a fraudulent
manner, irregularly, and unauthorized by
the Naval Committee.
Mr.. DIN, interrupting, said the state
ment was false in length and breadth, and
he would meet the question either here or
elsewhere. He pronounced the statement
an unqualified falsehood. (Sensation.)
Mr.. Mcpherson claimed the right to
make personal explanation as a member
Of the Military Committee He was not
willing to rest under the impression that
the reporting Of the bill was unauthorized
The Committee gave its consent to report
the bill as personal favor; five members
thereot-a majority-being opposed to the
measure in every phase. The Committee
Mr.. DIN rose to personal explanation.
Mr.. Conkling called him to order
Mr.. Olin-As you have refused to yield
the floor, l will call you to order
Mr.. Conkling-There is no occasion to
make threats on this floor
Mr.. Olin-I simply rose to-
Mr.. Conkling-I call the member to or
der, he yesterday, in the course of his re-
marks, charged that the report of the
Naval Committee was tissue of misrep-
reservations.
Mr.. Olin again rose, whereupon the
Speaker said to him that no gentleman
can interrupt another without his consent.
MIR. Olin-I rose to point of order, per-
NIT me to state
The Speaker-The gentleman on the
right is entitled to the floor, and the chair
will sustain him. He cannot be deprived
of it without his consent.
Mr.. Conkling then proceeded to vindi-
cate the Report of the Naval Committee
against the attacks that had been made
upon it, and in opposition to the pending
measure.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8.
SENATE.-Mr. Sherman presented the
credentials of Hon. B. F. Wade, elected
United States Senator from Ohio.
Mr.. Harris presented the resolutions of
the New York Assembly in favor of the
reduction of the duty on printing paper;
also one in favor of bankrupt act.
Mr.. Wilson, of Massachusetts,, from the
Military COmmlutee, reported Dlll LOT tne
enrolling and calling out of the national
forces
Mr.. Wade offered resolution requesting
the Secretary of the Treasury to commu-
nicate to the Senate the amount of cotton
sold in New York since the blockade of
southern ports; the amount of commissions
and storage, and the names of all persons
interested in such sales. Adopted.
Mr.. Sumner introduced bill to raise
additional forces for the service of the
United States.
Mr.. Grimes offered a resolution request
ing the President to communicate to the
Senate, if not incompatible with the pub
lie interests, the character of the sugges-
tons made by the Secretary of State of the
United States, to NJ. MERCER, the repre-
sentative of the French Government, as
related by him to NJ. Thouvenal, and which
induced M MERCER to undertake mission
to Richmond; and also what representa-
tons he was authorized to make from the
Government. or from the Secretary of