Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-02-04
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.


In THE SENATE, on January 2Sth, the Post
Office Committee reported back the Postal
Money Order bill, recommending that it Go
not pass. long bill regulating the Post-Ot-
flee Department was reported. The bill to
regulate the appointment of midshipmen was
reported with amendments. Mr.. Clark offered
a resolution expelling Senator Salisbury for
MS gross conduct on Tuesday night; it was
laid over. A resolution was adopted inquiring
into the propriety of extending relief to
Thomas of Maryland, ssthe French lady, now
in Fort Lafayette, insane. The resolution rel
ative to appointment of midshipmen in the
Naval Academy was passed. bill to encour-
age enlistments was referred. The Army APP
preparation bill was taken up an amendment
giving $3.50, 900 to establish an ordnance de-
pot on New York harbor was lost; an amend
ment was adopted providing that no money
shall be paid to any officer assumed officer
not authorized By existing law, unless such
officers shall subsequently be sanctioned, nor
to any person appo inted during the recess OF
the Senate, where such vacancy existed before
the recess, and was required to be filed by and
WIN iuO oUfiSS VI oeHalo, uutll SuCu aD-
pointee shall have been confirmed. The bill
was then passed. In THE HOUSE the whole
day was devoted to Mr.. Stevens's bill to en-
ploy negroes as soldiers. II was moved to re-
ter it to the Military Comittee, but the House
reiused-Yeas 80, Nays 103; to lay on the
table-lost, Yeas So, Nays 81. The Demo-
Gratis resorted to the most determined fllibus-
tering to stave off action. Calls for the House
and frivolous motions were made to waste
time, and up to II p. N. the main vote had
not been taken.
In THE SENATE, on Jan. 29th, Mr.. Salisbury
apologiZed for his conduct on Tuesday even
ing and the resolution for his expulsion was
not called up. The bill to aid Emancipation
in Missouri was taken up, and Mr.. Henderson
of that State moved to amend SO that if Eman-
cipation was Immediate, S20,000,000 should
be paid, but it was gradual, $40, ,000, 900 should
be paid. Mr.. Wilson, of Mo-, said $20,000,-
000w not enough for gradual emancipation.
Mr.. Wilson, (Mass.) was not willing to give
100000 to hold men in Slavery l3 years
longer. He was willing to make a general
appropriation to West Virginia, Missouri, Del
aware, and Mary land. Mr.. Fessendon thought
the rate of $500 per slave too high. Mr.. Hen
derson, of Missouri, very strongly urged the
adoption of the bill he was not strenuous for
sudden or gradual emancipation : but he wan
ted one or the other at once. His speech was
especially earnest and patriotic. Mr.. Trum-
bull advocated the bill, contending that the
Government stood pledged to aid the States
in gradual emancipation. Mr.. Foster favored
the measue. After remarks by Mr.. Wilson
and Mr.. Pomroy, the Senate adjourned. In
THE House, the Committee on Agriculture was
instructed to inquire into expediency of collect
ing agricultural statistics through theAssessors
of the Internal Revenue; also as to sending
representative to the Agricultural Exhibition
at Hamburg in July. The Ways and Means
Committee are to inquire what measures are
necessary to prevent speculation in gold. The
bill to raise and arm negro soldiers was then
taken up, and discussed during the entire ses-
sion, without coming to vote.