The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-02-26

ed 30,UUU IN HARTFORD.
Mathews loss on his buildings il stat
ed at SO, 900, which is insured for &c.
600. The total loss will reach $75O,O0O.
XXXVII Congress First Session.
Washington, Feb. "a.
SENATE.-Mr. Wilkinson presented a
memorial from the Minnesota Legislature,
asking grant Of land for railroad from
st. Paul to Lake Superior.
Mr.. Wilmot thought that the Senate
should act ON The bill for the abolition Of
slavery in the District of Columbia. That
covers the whole ground. The Senate
would be more derelict in its duty than,
any other body Of men if it adjourned
without abolishing slavery in the Dis
trict. 4
Mr.. King presented memorial from
ship owners and builders in New York,
stating that there was scarcity Of timber
owing to large orders from abroad, and
asking Congress that the expectation of
ship timber be prohibited during the war.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson. Of No., the
joint resolution in relation to certain rail
roads in Missouri was taken up. The
resolution provides that the Secretary Of
War pay the ST. Joseph and Hannibal
and Pacific Railroads for transportation,
and the roads having originally received
grants of land for which it was agreed to
transport troops and munitions Of war, &c.
MIR. Hale opposed the resolution as
special legislation and as opening the door
to an immense amount Of claims.
Mr.. Henderson contended that the land
actually realized but small amount, that
the railroads had done an immense amount
of transportation for the Government and
the companies had no money to go on any
farther unless the companies were helped
by Government.
On motion of Fessenden, the motion
agreeing TO the report of the committee
Of conference on the Treasury Note bill.
was reconsidered and the Senate disa-
greed to the report and the bill was re.
committed to the committee on confer
cnce.
Chandler presented petition asking
that John G. Fremont be appointed Lieut..
General of the Army.
Sumner from the Committee on For
eign Affairs reported resolution to carry
into effect the convention between New
Grenada and Costa Rica. Passed.
| Grimes offered resolution asking the
Sec'y of War whether any contracts had
been made or steps taken towards contract
for the construction of any railroad by the
War Department, and if SO, by what au-
thority aud with whom and by authority Of
what law they have been made.
| Wade from Committee on Territories
reported back the bill for the occupation
and cultivation Of certain cotton lands in
possession of the Government
Hals offered an amendment limiting the
appropriation to 10000.
Carlisle said the bill involved some
very important principles Of the Consti-
tuition and Of expediency, aud as he
wanted time to examine he moved to Law
it on the table.
Hale hoped they would pass this and
several others, especially bills for confs-
| cation. There were thousands and mil
lions of dollars worth of property in thi.
very city belonging TO rebels which ought
to be attended to.
On motion Of Doolittle the bill was
postponed till tomorrow and made the
special order.
Trumbuii moved to take up the bill for
the confscatiou of the properly of rebels.
HoUsE.-Mr. Roscoe Conkling, of N.
T.. offered the following:
Resolved by the Senate and House Of
Representatives, That the thanks of Con-
gross are due and are hereby presented
TO Major Generals Halleck and Grant for
planning therecent movements within their
respective divisions, to both these Gen
erals, as well as to the officers and men
under their command, for achieving the
glorious victories in which these move
ments resulted. MIR. Gunkling said that
he merely asked that the resolution should
I lie ever for the present. Alter some dis
cussion- Mr.. Cox moved that it be refer
red to the Committee on Military At
fairs.
On motion Of Mr.. Mallory, the Com
mittee on Judiciary were instructed to
inquire into the prepriety Of vesting the
United States Commissioners with pow
er to issue wrils of habcas corpus and
hold persons to bail for good behavior,
and to increase the compensation Of said
Commissioners.
+ MIR. van-Wyck introduced bill to tax
the salaries Of public oihcers It was re
ferred to the Committee on Ways and
Means.
i Mr.. Fenton introduced bill relating
to claims for losses and destruction o
property by the troops Of the United
States during the present rebellion
4 Mr.. Blair. Of Mo-, called up the Senat,
bill to reduce the number u cavalry rcgi