New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-20
House OF REPRESENTATIONS.

Y
resolved that the Secretary of War he requested TO
furnish the cost Of the transportation Of arms, ord
nance aud munilious Of war 10 that portion oi the
county wet vi tie al gt3uies since May last aud
give, a. FIR IA practicable, detailed statement Of
he llscss from which they were transported aud
the cost and whether ny rail or water.
The ill 10 amend the ofJuly last, Which gran u
500 bounty TO The foliers at the expiration of two
vears and 10 thcfe sooner lonorahy discharged by
reason Of wounds md Liabilities 30 ~ TO extend lie
provisions TO those who entered the service under
Tie first proclamation Of the President, and were
similarly disqualified, was, after DEBATE land oil the
table.
Mr.. STEVENS REP, Penn, from the Committee
on Ways and Means, reported a bill making ap.
preparation for tie construction, preservation and
repair Of Notifications and works OF deionse Re
fcrred 10 the Committee Of the Whole oil the State
Of the Union.
The House resumed tie consideration of the bill
royIing for constructing twenty iIon-elad steam
euuboas, to be bnilI by contract or Otherwise az The
Secretary Of the Navy my deem best for the public
interest.
Mr. VALLANDIGHAM (Opp., o. offered and
advocated an amendment, providing that the new
gunboats shall be constructed at tie public navy
yards M far az practicable by private contract,
after giving ten days notice Tor prop sns pnbsned
in the papers of New-lork. Boston, Philadelphia,
and Baltimore.
Mr.SFDGWICK REP, n. " in eAphcation,
said TINT lhese vessels are TO be bun on plan en-
tirely different from those already constructed
The details and specifications he Would deem II ma
prudent TO difelose even il he had the nneals. line
pLln was wei! con sideIed by committee OF naval
officers.
Mr.. vALLANDIGHAM incdentslly said, in the
course Of his remarks. that rather than yield the
principles which we have held for years, he waa
prepared o meet the combined hostility OF the whole
world and this he believed WAS the sentiment of the
entire American people.
Mr. SEDGWICk said that the Pensacola was
one of the beauties Of binding by private eoItract,
which was lcss satisfactory ana economical thhn
those constructed at the Government yardr. He
sedgwicl0 did lot believe that a foreign war
was tending; blt ii 1t was 30, he hoped tllat the
question wonld I've met in proper spirit. There
was TO insult OF which Great Britain coud complain
20 Justify war. The vessels now proposed To bo
constructed not Tor service abroad but at hone
10 put down tie rebellion.
Mr. vnlandigbam'h amendment was disagreed to
and he bil passtd.
Mr.. COLFAX rep. lnd.l, from the Cominlttee
ON the post-OlIce, reported bill To promote Tie ef-
cheney Of the Dead e;ttr Office, based on recon
m.pd:ti,ns from the General, in his an
nual report.
Tie bill was passed. -
On motion OF lir. NASHBURNE rep, H., tue
COMMITTEE On Elections were instructed to inquire
and reJors whether any person holding oihce under
the United States and receiving compensation there
for vt the same time hoding sent here, and re-
ceying Compensation ~ member OF inc Mouse,
4 7, solution was passed directing an mqaify into
the bn.ldng of tie Capitol ina Treasury extensions
whether tLc contract IL being iai aiuiiy performed,
and whether the work cannot lie done A. lees ex-
pense 20 the Government.
Sir. COLLAR lRep., ind.l reported bill abolish
nr lhe fiauking PRIVILEGE, the confederation 81
whi.h was postponed until the second Tuesday In
January. I'm
The Consular and DIPLOMATS Appropriation bill
was considered and passed.
On motion OF Hr. HOLMAN Dem, lnd.l, reso-
htion wax adopted nstrnctirg tie Select Committed
on Coni.ac TO inquire whether tie transportation
OF troops by railroad was by special contract OF
tthorwFe etc., aud calling on tie Secretary oil Wai
70 lnrsn all orders yelaye to tie transportation d
! t.Q..- ..a .aG-i...S. u War. Ed.9Wnsd