Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-12-31
AAAVIEEth Cengress---First Session.
W AsHINGToN, Dec. q
SENATE

act 50 thas ministers OF the Gospel NAV be
regarded as non-combatantg and be employed
in service as Chaplains
Senator Harlan presented petition of citi-
zens OF Iowa, praying for the total abolition
of slavery.
Senator Wilson (Union) gave notice of
bill to make 1t illegal for any Member of
Congress to act as counsel in any case in
which the United States is Interested
Senator Morgan (Union) submitted joint
resolution calling upon the Secretary of War
Tor the names of all officers and men Of the
regular army who have deserted or resigned
between the lst of December, 1860, and the
lst of December, 1863, which was adopted.
Senator Foote (Union) offered similar
resolution relative to the Navy.
The pending question being on the post
ponement of the resolution Of Senator Sum-
ner embodying the proposed rules of the Sen
ate Senator Bayard Dem. continued the dis
cussion, and favored postponement of ac-
ton.
Sen. Sumner (Union) said it was difficult
to resist the application urged with so much
earnestness by the gentleman from Delaware.
Yet, that gentleman had enjoyed the most
ample opportunity of considering it, aud it
was due the Senator that it should be set
tied without delay, and before the HOLIDAYS.
He should deem it his duty to be present to
vote.
The morning hour having expired, on mo-
ton OF Senator Wilson, (Union) the bill for
increased counties and pay of volunteers was
taken up.
The committees amendment allowing sol
diers to re-enllst in other branches Of the
service, coming first under consideration, the
amendment was agreed to.
Senator Wilson (Union) explained that in
october last, when 1t was found the draft for
3O0, 900 was insufficient to meet the wants of
the War Department bounty of $500 to
veterans and $500 to others was offered and
this bill was devised to carry out the pledge
thus made. Nine millions hadnthen been re-
celyed from communication, and this was aug
mented to twelve millions of dollars Sena-
tor Wilson acknowledged the necessity of ex-
erclsing great care with regard to the deple-
tfon OF the treasury, and keeping the credit
OF the Government intact 1t had ALWAYS
been thought more difficult to obtain the
money than men wanted. The currency of
the country should be sound and her credit
good, yet we must keep our pledges, made
TO those who enlist. These enlstments were
numerous, not only in the Northern States,
but in the Southwest. East Tennessee had
recruited $500 men, Texas had furnished two
regiments and Arkansas had Welded substan-
tial additions to our forces. Such recruits
should be dealt with according to promises
made. He was in favor of the communication
clause, and for the payment of the bounties
proposed.
Senator Harris Union) did not favor the
amendment of the committee as it stood, and
thought it would stop all recruiting after the
9th of January.
Senator Lane, of Indiana (Union), said we
could not fill our armies with conscripts
There were 5000, 900 subject to draft at this
time, and of this number, on the basis of the
receipts of the last draft, but 42O, 600 could be
brought into the field if the entire enrolment
were taken. Out of this numberfro 20, 600
to 10000 would be deserters Indiana had
more than filled her quota, and could not be
depended on under any circumstances to fur
nlsh her tull share without resort to the draft.
Senator Collamer (Union) moved to strike
out the words January 5th' and insert "till
the next draft not later than February 1st,"
which was lost
Senator Howard moY d to strike out Is )"
in the committees amendment, and insert
$40, !" as the bounty for obtaining enistments
OF veterans, which was rejected
After conversational debate, participated
III by Wilson, Howe and Fessenden, on mo-
ton Of Sen. Sherman the Senate adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRES ENTATIyEs.
The Speaker laid before the House letter
addressed to the President from the Freed
mans Aid Society of Boston, New York, and
Cincinnati 1t was referred to Committee on
Emancipation.
4 message was received from the Presi-
dent informing the House that he had ap-
proved and signed the joint resolution of
thanks to Gen. Grant and the armies under
him, and for the gold medal, &c
On motion of Mr.. Dawes, (Union) of Mas
sachusctts, the documentary evidence on the
various contested elections was ordered to
be printed.
Mr.. Blow, (Union) of Missouri, from the
Committee ON Ways and Means, introduced
bill appropriating over 500, 900 to carry into
effect the act of March, 1862, for paving
bounty and pensions to the officers and men
actually employed in the Western or Mis-
souri, Department.
Mr.. Schenck, (Union) of Ohio, from the
Military Committee, reported bill repeating
the THU. and tenth sections of the enroll
ment act so that the two classes of persons
to be drafted from shall be consolidated into
one to take effect on and after its passage.
Objections being made to the consideration
of Mr.. Schenck's report at this time, he tenn
porarily withdrew it.
Mr. 1eaman (Dem.) of Ky, offered a series
of resolutions setting forth that a conspiracy
of persons exists, assuming to be a Gov
eminent of the Confederate States Tor the
purpose of withdI Awing States from the Fed
eral Union, but that this does not extingush
the political franchise of such States, and that
the citizens thereof can at any time resume
their civil government, on the only condition
that their constitution is republican that it
Is sufficient for those who are loyal and quail
fed by the election laws 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.. Loycioy the resolutions
were referred to the select committee on the
rebellious States.
Mr.. Spaulding of Ohio Union), offered a
resolution for the appointment of a select
committee of nine to consider and report on
the subject of a national bankrupt act
Mr.. Holman (Dem.) moved to lay the reso-
luton on the table, which was lost by vote
of SO to 50. The resolution was then
adopted.
Mr.. Ashley of Ohio (Union) introduced a
bill, which was referred, providing provis-
ional government in the military districts of
the insurgent states, and authorizing the 10y
al citizens thereof to organize government,
republican in form, and for other purposes.
Mr.. Schenck (Union) introduced a bill to
create Bureau of Military Justice, which
was referred to the committee on Military
Affairs
Mr. Ashley (Union) introduced resolution
granting the use of this hall for public meet
ing of the Freedmen's Association. Mr. Cox
objected to this, and by the rules of the House
prevented further action on the resolution
to-day.
Mr. Schenck moved the suspension of the
rules, in order to take up his report and act