The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-19
House Of Represents iyes.

WASHINGTON, Dec. Is, 1861.
THE CLAIM OF MR. FOSTER TO REPRESENT NORTH CAROLINA
Mr.. DAWES, (rep.) Of Mass. from tho Committee on
Elections reported that Charles Henry Foster is net en-
titled seat in this Congress either from the First Oh
Second Congressional district OF North Carolina
Mr. DAWES said that the Committee had pursued tn.
investigation far to DO entirely satisfied that tn,
claim was founded in imposition and so well satisfied
this fact was Mr. Foster himself that he had voluntarily
abandoned the claim.
The resolution adopted
PRINTING INVESTIGATING coMMI1EE's REPORT
Mr. WALTON, (rep) Of VI, from the Committee on
Printing, reported resolution which adopted 10 print
5000 copies Of the report OF tho special committee to in
qurc into tho army contracts, &c with the evidence md
10, coo copies without the evidence.
HOMESTEAD rIIIBouSTY SOLDIERS
The House then resumed the consideration OF the bin to
secure homes eads TO actual settlers, heads families
orithose who have tho twenty years ard
are citizens of the United States have filed an intention
to become such. The PROV sons Of the bill EXTENDED
all who have performed service in suppress ing the
beion In lieu OF bounty lands tho three months vol-
to receive thirty dollars in addition to the right
Of honest ad aud all who have served six months
hundred dollars.
The further consideration of the bill was postponed till
the FIRST Monday in February--sS against 60
INDEMNITY TO LIEUTENANT CRAVEN.
Mr.. STEELE. Of NJ -, presented memorial from Lieu
tenant Craven for indemnity for loss while surveying tho
Isthmus OF Darien.
Tux AUTHORIZATION BIZ.
Mr.. SrEvENs rep) OF Pa from the Committee Of Ways
and Means, reported tho Civil Appropriation hill
APPROPRIATION WESTERN GUNboArs.
Also for the appropriation Of 81 900 for gunboats in
the Western waters in addition to the former sum
The latter bill was passed.
THE PENSION RiIL.
The House then won't into Committee of the Whole on
tho State Of tho Union, Mr. Washburne in tbs chair
and o up tho bill for the payment Of invalid and other
pensions.
Tho bill was amended motion Of Mr. BLAIR
(rep.) Of No., that no pension should be
pria under this act to any person engaged
IN The present rebellion against The United States or who
hss any gwen aid and comfort to those engaged
in the rebellion ,
The bill subsequently passed.
fREaoSTs MISSOURI TROOPS
The House passed tho bin authorizing and requiring the
Secretary Of Mar 70 pay to tho officers and heretofore
actually mployed mustered into service i'll tn West.
III oari Military Department tho pay aud bounty
in regular en,stments. This the forces under
General Fremont and other commanding Generals.
ABOLITION KRsIJJyS
Mr. STEELE offered resolution, which adopted that
the Select Committee Alleged Contract Abuses be re-
quested to inquire to the policy of aboishng suffer
ships orrcgulang The system in accordance with the re-
quircments and protection OF the soldiers.
TIRE rRANKiNG PRIVILEGE
Mr.. CorFAX called the attention to a communication
from the Post Office Department stating that II has been
asceraned that members of Congress frequently give
envelopes to matter unknown to thcm-that frank
ed letter envelopes without address being circulated
among tho camps aud sold by suffers at from to two
cents pieccthat frankcd envelopes are scnt 10 mer
chants in various parts Of the country thor own
correspondence in RETURN and that franks Of members of
Congress forged.
Mr. CoLrAx hoped that the simple statement of facts
would correct the abuses without further legislation
Adjourned.