Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-12-13
CONGRESS-YESTERDAY.

SENArE.-A resolution was introduced re-
lating to the repeal OF the Supreme 20 r'.
Mr.. Browning of LII. thought tnas sn
power of Congress to repeal the supreme
Court was not gwen in the Constitu ton
We had no more power to repeal tna co"''
than we had to repeal the constitution.
Mr.. Collamer OF Vt. moved as a substitute
that all portions of the Presidents Message
relating to the Judiciary, DO referred 70 'no
Judiciary committee.
Mr.. Collamer's amendment as substitute
was agreed to, and the resolution as AMENDED
adopted.
The report of the Secretary of the Treas
ury was received and referred to the commit
tee on Finance.
Mr.. Hale offered resolution, that the lu-
dietary committee be instructed to inquire
into the expediency of making alterations IN
the constitution of the several courts. Laio
over.
On motion, various portions OF the fresi-
dents message were referred to the Commit
tees.
On motion of MIR. Fessenden Of Nc, 1T
was resolved that the committee on the Dis
trict of Columbia. be requested to report the
number of fugitive slaves that have been
confined in the government Jail In Washing
ton during the last one and half years.
HoUsE.-Mr. Lovejoy introduced the fol-
lowing joint resolution:
Resoived, That the Secretary OF War be
requested to revoke the first action OF the
General Order, dated Nov. 10Th, 1861, OF
Major Gen. Halleck, commanding the west
ern division of the army.
Mr.. Lansing offered substitute, which
Mr.. Lovejoy accepted.
The substitute characterlZes the oTaer OF
Mai. Gen. Halleck as inhuman and cruel,
and respectfully requests the President to d.
rect Gen Halleck, to recall said order and
cause him (Halleck) to conform to the prac-
tice in other departments Of the army. The
consideration of the subject was then post
pOned.
Mr.. Dawes Of Mass, who is on the spe-
cial committee to examine into Cover nme nt
contracts briefly spoke OF the discoveries Oh
fraud that have already been made. lie SAID
that without further legislation the treasury
will become bankrupt.
Mr.. Bingham OF Ohio, introduced bill
repeating all acts and parts OF acts author
izing the comm ,tment OF persons OF color as
runaways or suspected or charged with being
runaways, and being sold to pay expenses
etc., and to punish for such practices.
Mr.. Hutchins introduced a bill uncon-
ditionally to abolish slavery in the District
of Columbia. Referred.
Mr.. Webster'5 resolution instructing the
committee on roads and canals, 10 inquire
the into expediency of establishing railroad
from New York to Washington via the Gen.
trail Railroad, was adopted.
Many other bills and resolutions OF minor
importance was introduced and referred.
The Speaker presented the annual report
of the Secretary of the Treasury.
A motion to print extra copies Of 1t was
referred to the committee on printing
Adjourned.
Mr.. Stevens of Pa. has modified his reso
lutions in several important particulars, Viz
declaring that there can be no solid and per.
manent union so long as slavery exists, and
that all slaves be proclaimed free. Compen'
sation to DO made to loyal masters who have
been and continue to b, supporters of TIE
Union.