The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-16
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON. Jan. II

WASHINGTON Jan. H.
SENATE.--A number of petitions were
presented in favor OF a bankrupt act.
Mr. Harlan offered resolution requir-
ing the President to inform the Senate
what measures had been adopted to enforce
the provisions of the act to suppress insur-
rection and confiscate the property of reb-
els, and if any additional legislation was
necessary. Adopted.
Mr. Clark offered resolution request
ing the Committee on the Conduct of the
War to inquire and report what are the
objections and causes of delay in the exc
cution of the act to cOnfiscate the property
of rebels, especially in the District of Co.
lumbia. Adopted.
MIR. Fessenden called up the bill to pro-
vide the further issue of Bonds and United
States Notes. A letter was received from
the Secretary of the Treasury in favor of
this measure, explaining that the resolu-
ton from the House would not meet the
wants OF the Government. Bill passed.
Mr.. Fessenden explained, and said this
bill made ample provision for the prompt
payment of soldiers
HoUsE.-Mr White, of Indiana, offered
resolution instructing the Committee on
Military Affairs to inquire into the axpedi-
ency of providing for the payment of COM
pany and regiment officers from the date
Of their commissions. Agreed to.
Mr.. COlfax offered resolution that the
Committee of Ways and Means are dis
charged from the further consideration of
the House bill reducing the duty OH i'm
ported paper from So to 10 per cent, and
that the same be considered in the House
now. Laid on the table.
On motion of Mr.. Dunn, the Secretary of
the Treasury was requested to inform the
House OF the amount expended since the
rebellion in the employment and mainte-
nance of slaves in the disloyal States, and
to what extent those expenses have heen
repaid by their services.
On motion of Mr.. Kellogg, the Commit
tee Of Ways and Means were instructed to
inquire into the expediency of reducing the
duties on imported rags from which paper
is made.
Mr.. Aldrich offered the following:
Resolced, That the committee on military af-
fairs be instructed to inquire into the expedi-
ency and necessity of giving bounty lands of
16O acres of land to each soldier in any old reg
iment. That said land be located on any con-
fiscated rebel plantations, as soon as the rebel
lion is crushed. Passed-66 against SO.
On motion of Mr.. Wallace, the Commit
tee on Judiciary was instructed to inquire
what legislation, if any, was necessary to
settle the disputed question of the right of
land of the Puget Sound Company
On motion of Mr.. Arnold it was resolved
that the President communicate full stats
tics OF the trade and commerce of the
great lakes, Western rivers and St. Law
renee.
Mr.. Noel offered a resolut on that the
committee on Naval Affairs inquire into
the expediency of establishing a Navy
Yard at point between Fort Ohio and
North St. Louis.
Mr.. Wilson of Iowa introduced reso-
luton that the Presidents emancipation
proclamation is hereby ratified, approved,
and confirmed. Mr.. Cox moved to lay the
resolution on the table. Disagreed to, so
against IS. The resolution was referred
to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Dawes offered resolution request
ing the President, if not incompatible with
the public interests, to communicate to the
House what authority or instructions has
been given to General Dix in Virginia
General Butler in Louisiana, and Governor
Stanley, in North Carolina, or any of them
concerning the election of representatives
to this House in these States respectively.
Mr.. Roscoe Conkling suggested that the
inquiry include Governor Phelps of Ar
kansas, and Governor johnson of Ten
nesSee.
Mr.. Dawes had no objection Other than
that no election cases from the two latter
States had come before the Committee.
Adopted.
HARRISBURG, Jan. l3.-At noon the