The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-31
News from WASHINGTON.
SECRET SESSION OF BOTH HOUSES


mittee on the Conduct of the War have
agreed upon an amendment to the joint
rules of the two Houses to the effect that
whenever any member rises in his place and
states that the Executive wishes Congress to
secretly act on any matter connected with
the war, it shall be the duty of Congress to
20 into secret session, and deliberate and
come to conclusion therein before adjourn
ment. The speeches are to be limited to
five minutes each and any member disclos-
ing the proceedings is to be expelled.
SECRETARY STANTON AND THE MILITIA.
RY COMMITTEE.
Special to Tribune 1-Secretary Stan,
ton had an interview OF two hours in the
Senate Committee rooms this morning with
the Military Committees of both Houses.
All the sixteen members were present.
The Secretary gave his views freely on
his plan of conducting the war, and ex-
pressed desire to be at all times informed
tor his guidance of matters OF public inter-
est coming before either committee, adding
that the Department would always be open
to any member of the two committees. He
stated that full and complete list of all
the contracts made by or for the War De,
partment since the commencement of the
war, with the name of every contractor or
purchaser, should not be made before the first
of February, or until foil Investigations be
made.
Colonel Scott is to have special charge of
railroad and transportation matters, and
Congress has been asked to give the Secre.
tary of War control of all the railroads in
in the United States whenever the interests
of the war shall demand it.
John Tucker, the second assistant, is to
have charge of all the transportation by
sea, the chartering Of vessels, &c.
Mr.. Watson, Sd assistant, is to have the
contract of the general business connected
with troops in the field.
SECRETARY STANTON BEGINS WELL.
Special to 1ribune.] An enquiry at
the War Department to-day, modestly aim
ed at contract for manufacturing muskets
was met with the prompt and expressive
answer Secretary Stanton means to find
out when, how and where the muskets now
in the hands of the soldiers are going to be
used before be makes new ones, nor will be
consider any question concerning supplies
not needed for the daily support Of the ar
my, and its advance to the enemies lines,
until he has positively provided for using
the force now encamped across the Poto-
mac for crushing the rebels and relieving
the National Capital of the Disgrace OF be.
lsaguerment?"
PROMOTIONS FROM THE RANKS.
1t is understood that . thorough reon
ganization of the War Department is rap.
idly progressing, and that it will in 0 few
days be fully up to the demands Of the times.
Among other things it is not improbable
that the following will occur.
l. In order to leave room for promotions
for gallant acts in the field, and other rea>
sons of public policy, no further appoint
ments to the army except of men in the
field, until the first OF March.
2 That all nominations which have been
made and are now pending before the Den.
ate, will be suspended until after the LIST of
March.
3. That the Reorganization produced by
officers frequenting the city instead of re.
naming in camp to instruct themselves and
their commands in military science, will be
checked by dropping from the list those
vino frequent the city for other reasons than
those pertaining to military duty and by
the command OF their superior officers.
4. ln order to transact war business,
the War Department will be closed four
days in every week against all other bust
ness except what appertains to active ope-
ratiOns in the field.
S. That Saturday of every week will be
devoted to the transaction of the business
of Senators and Congress, and that
Monday of each week will be devoted to
business OF other persons and personal in.
terviews with the Secretary.
6. That the Secretary of War will
transact no business whatever, and will see
no persons % business at his private resi-
dence.
7. That the dispatch of business by
mail or written communications will have
the preference, and will receive the personal
attention OF the Secretary on the morning
of each day before entering upon other du.
ties.
COMPUTATIONS BIZ THE SENATE.
The Senate has confirmed the following
appointments (:
William Huntington, of Washington,
Territory, to be Marshal of that Territory.
Benz. H. Smith of Virginia, to be At
torney of the Western District OF Virginia
James Broadhead OF Missouri, to be At
torney for the Eastern District of that
State.
Robert j. Tucker of Missouri, to be At
torney for the Western District of that
State.
Robert Crozier of Kansas, to be Attor.
ney for the District of that State.
Samuel D. Howe of Washington Terri.
tory to be Agent of Indians of that Terri.
tory.
james D. Doty Of Wisconsin, to be So
perintendent of Indian Affairs for Utah.
Bland Ballard of Kentucky, Judge Of
the District Court for that District.
james E. Streeter of Illinois, to be As
sociate Justice of the Supreme Court for
the Territory OF Nebraska.
The following named Consols have been
on6rmed
Daniel Evans of Illinois, at Bilboa.
Richard q. Hanna of Indiana, at San
lander.
j. II. McChesney of Illinois, ct New