, 1862-01-18
TEE PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
"AsH1sGreS,. January. II, 1a@-
SENATE


Mr. CHANDLER presented the credentials
OF Hon Jacob u. Howard, Senator elect from
Michigan, in place Of Mr.. Bingham, deceased.
Mr.. HOWARD appeared and toek the oath
Several petitions il favor Of the enaucipa-
uOn OF slaves we're presented.
Mr.. TRUMBULL OF al. presented petition
from Mr. C. L. Sanford, who represents him
self as contractor with MessrB. CUMMINGS d
Tucker. DC says he received information
from the War Department that they-Cum-
mlngs q Tueker-were authorized to act,
but Is now surprised to learn that 3fr. Came
ron says that the heads Of Bureaus made all
contracts. Mr. Sanford asks the passage Of a
law to lega1ize the contracts made, SO as to
prevent loss to honest contractors Referred.
Mr. COILAMER Of Vt, from the..Commit-
tee on Post Offices, reported back the House
bill in relation to the letters Of sailors and
marines. The bill extends the privilege Of
zines.
The bill was passed.
Mr. FESsENDEN Of Maine, from the Com
joint resolution declaratory Of the purpose of
Congress to impose tax.
The bill was passed; yeas 80, nays {alr.
M BIxoN Of Conn, from the Committee
on Contingent Expenses, reported back the
resolution to pay Mr. Stanton the usual COM
pensation and mileage.
Mr. FE2SENDEN moved to amend the res
o'utlon so as to make his pay exclusive Of
mileage.
.,.s Ihis was agreed to and the resolution
The Senate, after an executive session offs
hours, confirmed Cameron as Minister to Rus
sia, "a to II.
Adjourned till Monday,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
On motion Of Mr.. FENTON Of N. Z. over
five hundred bills from the Court Of Claims
were referred to the Committee on Claims.
The House resumed the consideration Of the
Pennsylvania contested election case. L vote
was first taken on the substitute reported
from the minority Of the Committee Oh Eec-
tions, that John M. Butler is not and VIM E.
Lehman is entitled to = seat as Representative
from the first Congressional District Of Penn
sylyania, which vas adopted by vote Of Is
against 81.
The House then concurred in the Senatc's
amendment to the hill to promote the ctfi-
cheney Of the Dead Letter Office.
Mr. DELANO Of Mass. made report from
the Committee On the District Of Columbia,
ona resolution referred to them relative to Mar
shal Lannon's jaii regulations. The Committee
| say that it was strictly in Marshal Lannon's of
! fclal discretion to make rules to remedy the
existing abuses. The Committee asked to be
! excused from the further consideration Of the
subject.
The further consideration Of the report WAS
| postponed
| hi: STEVENS Of Pa, from the Committee
on Ways and Means, reported q bill for the
support Of the West Point Military Academy
He took this occasion to explain the reasons
| why the appropriation bills were not sooner
| reported. He stated that the Committee arc
! gathering facts, and work for hours after at
! tending to business in this hall He desired
| to say that the criticisms and ibcls of the
| press would not make them move one minnie
tustcr than due regard to the public interests
| would permit.
The House resumed its consideration Of the
| fortiticatiou bill.
Meesrs. CRITTEEDEN Of Kentucky, and
WRIGHT Of Pennsylvania, thought there
| should be no new works commenced unless
there was ali overwhelming necessity for
/ them.
| AL amendments were voted down, and the
bill passed Us originally reported.
A resolution was adopted calling on the Sec
retary Of War for copy Of the contract for
thu. purchase Of horses for Williams's Cavalry
regiment now in Kentucky
t The House adjourned till Monday,