Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-01-20
delrgrapbit 9lelus.
CONGRESSIONAL.

a.<F WASHINGTON, January is.
SENATE.-A communication was received
from the Secretary Of War in answer to the reso-
luton of Mr. Powell directing answer TO the
resolution passed at the last session in regard TO
contracts, &c.
received at the Department just after the battle
OF July 2lst, and that since then be has not had
sufficient clerical force TO properly answer the
resolution The answer also states, 81 myself
have not made single contract for any purpose
whatever. The heads of bureaus have made all
the contracts T" .s.s,, ~ .fs lF
The subject was referred. ~ -s -
Mr.. King presented a petition that the funds of
convicted contractors be awarded TO soldiers, and
also to abolish all fees and perqusites Of officers
Referred ~.
Mr. Wilson introduced bill to amend certain
articles Of war
Mr.. Hale offered resolution that Ward HI La
mon, United States Marshal for the District of
Columbia. by his recent order communicated to
the Senate excluding the members of the Senate
from the jail without pass from him, has been
guilty OF n breach of the privilege Of the Senate
and of contempt of the rightful authority of this
body, and that the Secretary of the Senate be di.
rected to communicate copy OF thisresolution to
the President
On motion of Mr. Wilson, the bill in relation
TO the arrest of persons claimed held to service
or labor by officers in the military or naval ser
vice of the United States was taken up.
The bill provides that any officer arrestng any
person hold to service or labor shall be discharged
from the service. ~
Mr. Collamer offered an amendment, or as
substitute that no officer of tie army or navy,
militia volunteers shall assume to exercise any
authority to arrest, detain, hold or control any
person held to service. and that anv officer so Of
tending be dismissed from the service. Agreed to-
The contested seat of Kansas was taken up
The question being the motion of Mr. Clark to
strike out the word not in the resolution of the
Committee on the Judiciary, that Mr.. Lane was
not entitled to his seat
Mr.. Lane said he had refused to accept the
Office on the Odd OF July He referred to the
contest in Kansas with Mr. Stanton for the Sen
atorship. and said that four DAYS after he was
elected the Governor whom he had overthrow
and ais contestant whom he had beaten declared
the seat vacant. -
Mr. Bright thought the question barely legal
one The President having appointed him to an
Office not created. The Senator from Kansas
could not accept it and therefore did not vacate
his seat in the Senate.
The discussion was continued by Messrs. Lane,
Stanton, Clark and Foster. sfs-
A vote was taken on Mr. Clark's motion to
strike out the word not.
Ayes-Messrs. Bright, Browning, Chandler.
Clark, Collamer, Cowan, Doolittle, Fessenden,
Hale, Harlan. Harris, Howe, King, Lane of Ind,
Latham, Morrill,, Pomeroy, Rice, Sherman.
Sumner, Trumbull, Wilkinson, Wilmot, Wilson
"a. .-.-. af,s l-f ,-.a
Nays-Messrs Anthony, Bayard, Carlisle, Da-
Wis, Dixon, Foote, Foster, johnson, Kennedy,
McDougall, Nesmith. Pierce, Powell, Salisbury,
Ten Eyck, Wade-l6.
Nr. Dixon offered resolution that the usual
mileage beaIlowed the contesting members. Laid
over.
After executive session the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE-Mr. Dunn, from the Military Com
mttee, reported a bill authorizing and directing
the Secretary of War to furnish the prisoners OF
the United States in the revolted Estates with
clothing and other necessares of life, and for
this purpose that he employ such agents as may
be necessary. Passed. 1f)
Mr.. Wilson, from the Committee on the Judi
ciary, reported back with amendments the bill
amendatory of the act of 1857, to enforce the
attendance of witnesses. Passed.
1t repeats that part which exempts witnesses
who have testified before any examining COM
mttee of either House from being used as evil
dence in a court of justice.
After debate of several hours the House ad-
journed, with the understanding that the question
would be taken up to- morrow at o'clock.