The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-02-13
FROM WASHINGTON.
Special Dispatch to The Saint Paul Pioneer.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9


In the House there was an immense ex-
element over the Illinois and Michigan
Canal bill, which, upon final passage, was
defeated by ten majority. A motion to
reconsider and lay on the table prevailed,
killing the bill for this session, unless by
two-thirds vote. Its friends attribute its
defeat to the joint efforts of Stevens and
Vallandigham.
After defeat of the bill, Mr.. Washburne
moved that as the House had murdered
the northwest, it adjourn to attend the flu
neral
Captain Ludlow, commissioner for ex-
charge of prisoners, arrived from James
River, having had charge of imprisoned
soldiers and citizens in Richmond. The
rebels evidently favor the release of our
officers, which will soon be announced.
Marquis Harrington and Col. Lascelles
crossed the Potomac last night, probably
with confederate dispatches. A gentle
man accompanying in another boat was
captured.
John B. S. Todd, Congressional delegate
Dakotah, has been nominated Brigadier
General.
The departure of the British Consul and
the flight of numbers of the inhabitants
| Charleston is considered as indicative of
stirring events there soon.
The Senate Military Committee reported
| back a new substitute for the CONSUMPTION
bill agreed on as a sort of compromise of
all views. Its passage is to be pressed in
its present form.
The bill opens with preamble recting
the duty Of the government to suppress
the rebellion and guarantee each State a
republican form of Government.
BE iemacted, &c, Section L. All able bodied
| citizens between the ages of 1S and 10 are to
constitute the National forces liable to military
duty, at the call of the President.
Sec. ,. Exempts the physically, morally and
mentally unfit, those necessary to support
| aged and intirm parents, orphans or helpless
children, and unfortunated unprovided for by
the public: PrOrided, That persons claiming
exemption cannot render an equivalent for per-
| sonal services. Also Vice Presidents, Judges,
and heads of departments, an only son, and
supporters of aged and infrm parents. Ifthere
are several sons of such parents, the father, if
alive, if not, the mother is to elect which shall
be exempt; only brother of orphan children
| under H. father of mOthcrlcss children under
! II, dependant ON him. Where father and
| sons, and two sons are serving as nom
commissioned officers, musicians or privates,
the residue of family not exceeding two, are
exempt; all fathers of two or more children
under fourteen years, farming not exceeding
fifty acres, for support of family. No other
persons to be exempt, but no person convicted
of crimes punishable by imprisonment, shall be
| enrolled.
Sec. Divides the national forces not now
serving into two classes, the first including all
| between eighteen and thirty years, and all
bachelors between thirty and forty five The
second class includes all Others subject to duty
who shall not in any district be called out be-
| fore the first class.
Sec. 4. For convenience in enrolling and Or
| ganizing, &c. 1t divides the United States into
Military Districts The District of Columbia
and each Territory one or more at the Presi-
dents option each Congressional district one
Prorided, That States which are not by law
divided into two or more Congressional dis
tricts, may be divided by the President into as
many enrolling districts as may be conven-
lent. A Provost Marshal ranking as Cap
tain to be appointed to each district, subject
to Provost Marshal General ranking as Colonel
appointed by the President with office at Wash
ington.
Sec. 6. Provost Marshal General to make all
rules and regulations subject to the Secretary
OF Wars approval, and perform other duties
presented by the President in carrying out Or
ders. Deserters and spies may be arrested by
Provost Marshals
Sec Z. An enrolment board consisting of
Provost Marshal, and two others to be appoint
ed by the President. One must be a surgeon.
Sections s, and 10 provide for sub districts.
made by this Board and appointment before
the 10th of March next, and in each alternate
year thereafter of enrolling an officer for each
district, who shall enroll all persons subject to
duty before April LIST, to include those of first
class subject for two years, to call into service
and to serve three years, or during the war;
and when drafted to be on same footing with
| volunteers.
! Sections II and II provide for the President
assigning quotas to each district. Enrolling
Board to make draft of the required number.
The remaining sections, from y to II inclu-
sive, provide a bounty of so dollars on re-en-
lstment of a soldier; acceptance of substitutes
from drafted men, and the latters consequent
exemption from service; penalties for deser-
| ton; consolidation of reduced regiments. with
rules for courts martial, &c.
Mr.. Sumner introduced an addition to
Stevens's negro army bill, now pending in
the Senate, providing for the enrolment
of able-bodied male slaves, freed by act of
Congress or by the proclamation of the
President They are to be enrolled by
the commanding officer within whose de-
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