The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1863-02-13
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT.
CONGEs ESSIONAL.

Mr.. Howe presented the credentials OF
Hon. j. II. Doolittle, reelected United
States Senator from Wisconsin for six
years.
Mr.. Howard from the Court on Judicia-
ny, reported back the bill to change the
time of holding the District Courts of the
United States.
Mr.. Ten Eyck, from the Committee on
the Judiciary reported the resolution to
ask the President for the correspondence
with rebels. Mr.. Wilson, of Massachusetts,
OF Military Committee, reported back the
joint resolution relative to the act to Sc
cure the officers and men employed in the
Department of the West and Missouri
their pay, bounty and pensions.
Mr.. Powell, from the Committee on Ju-
dietary, reported bill concerning par
dOns, the remission of fines and penal
ties and fines in criminal cases. The bill
authorizes the President to make qualified
pardOns, so as to reicit the fine, relieve
from imprisonment, &c.
Mr.. Trumbull, frOrn the Committee on
Judiciary, reported back the bill to amend
the act to prevent officers of the Govern
ment and members of Congress from tax
ing consideration for procuring contracts,
office or place.
Mr.. Trumbull, from the same COM
mittee, reported adversely on the bill to
divide the State of Michigan into two ju-
dicial districts, and also on the resolution
to increase the fees of the United States
Marshals in California.
Mr.. McDougal introduced bill for the
sale of certain Indian reservations in the
same State. Referred to Military Com
mittee
The resolution in regard to French in
tervention in Mexico were taken up. The
question being on the motion to lay them
on the table, it was agreed to, 81 to 8.
HGUsE.-Mr. Dawes, from the Commit
tee on Elections, reported adversely on the
credentials of ]. P. McCloud, claiming his
seat from the End District of Virginia, and
also on the application of his contestant,
W. W. Wing.
The House, by a vote OF II against 63,
passed the bill reported yesterday, author
izing the Secretary Of War to contract for
the construction of telegraph cable from
Forts McHenry or Monroe to Galveston or
New Orleans, and the intermediate points
The bill ordered from the Judiciary
Committee by Mr.. Hickman, came up. 1t
provides for board of three commission
ers, at salary of $4,000 per annum, each
to revise and construct the General Sta
tutes of the United States. Rejected AZ
to &C.
WASHINGTON. Feb. ).
SENATE-Mr Rice presented the GRE
dentials of Hon. Alex. Ramsey, Senator
elect from Minnesota for six years from
the 18th of March next.
Mr.. Pomeroy introduced bill to aid in
the construction of railroads and tele-
graphs in Kansas.
In the Senate, the bill to encourage en-
listments, being under consideration, Mr.
Carlisle stated that he thought it not ex..
pedient to give such power as this bill con-
templated, to the President.
Mr.. Sherman was surprised at the oppo-
sition to this BILL We had arrived at q
condition when we could not fill up the ar
my with volunteers, and the question was,
how we could flu the army. Every ma
ton had some kind OF conscription law,
Congress had the power to raise armies.
the Supreme Court. Justice Washington
laid down the rule that distinction was
to be made between a person called into
the service, and one who was actually EN-
ployed but he further said that perhaps
it was necessary that Congress should have
declared that the time when a man was in
tie service might date from the time he
was drafted, or when the order was given
to the government; but Justice Story, who
was from New England, and perhaps dis
affected towards the war of 1912, delivered
dissenting opinion, and that was quoted
Mr.. Sherman claimed that the question
really was, whether we should fill up our
armies and continue the war, or give it up.
He would have had the bill make the
proper exceptions. The laws Of France
and Prussia have many wise exceptions,
which prevent the hard eases that would
occur under Il general rule. Ii we could
have fewer political speeches, and less talk
about the negro, and turn our energies to
suppressing the rebellion, we should see
good results. He did not believe the peo-
pie would give up this contest until the re-
belliOn was crushed out.
lUe ulOliDll to StTlke ClJ Tic StctlOn WAS
rejected by vote OF Is to %.
Mr.. Davis moved to amend by includ-
ing the word white, so as to make it read
all able-bOdied white male citizens; and
moved to recOmmit to Military Commit
tee with view to incorporate some ex-
ceptions.
Mr. McDougal said Democrats of loyal
States were willing to do all that was ne
cessary to strengthen the Government and
restore the Union.
Mr.. Doolittle remarked that this was
one of the most important bills that Con-
gress could pass.
Mr.. Rice asked the Senator if he would
express his opinion of Horace Greeley.
Mr.. Doolittle was perfectly willing to
express his opinion. He regarded the
course of the New York Tribune, in De-
cember 1860, and also the course pursued
by that paper lately, as among the most
unfortunate of occurrences, and mischiev-
Gus in its tendency.
Mr.. Latham raised point that this dis
cussion was out of order; the question
being on the motion to refer the bill.
The Vice President decided that it was