Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-01-24
MAsHINGTnN. Jan. JIG

HoUsE.-Mr. Dunn from the Military
Committee, reported bill authorizing and
directing the Secretary of War to furnish
the prisoners Of the L. 5. in the revolted
States with clothing and other necessaries Of
life, and for this purpose, that he employ
such agents as may be necessary. Passed.
Mr.. Wilson. from the Committee on Ju>
dietary, reported back with amendments the
bill amendatory of the act Of 1857, to en-
force the attendance of witnesses. Passed.
1t rcIcals that part which exempts witnesses
who have testified before any examining
committee Of either House, from being used
as evidence in a court Of justice.
SENATE.-Mr. Chandler presented mem.
orial fon the Legislature of Michigan,
asking that appropriation be made for a
Naval depot at Grand Haven, on Lake Huron
referred.
Mr. Lang of Ind, presented memorial
from the Society of Friends at their Yearly
Meeting for Indiana and Eastern Illinois,
asking that differences with foreign Powers
be referred to the arbitrament OF some for
eign POwcr-relerred.
\ communication was received from the
Secretary Of War in answer to the resolution
passed at the last session in regard to cor
tracts, &C. The answer states the first resolu-
ton was received at the Department just
after the battle of July DIST, ant that since
then he has not had sufficient clerical force
to properly answer the resolution. The an
swcr also states, - myself have not made a
single contract for any purpose whateycr.-
The heads Of Bureaus have made all the con-
tracts. The subject was referred.
Mr.. King presented petition that the lands
Of convicted traitors be awarded to soldiers.
and also to abolish ali fees and perquisites of
Office. Referred
Mr. Wilson introduced a bill TO amend
certain Articles Of War. lie also introduced
bill for the better organization Of the
cavalry forces. Referred.
Mr. Hale offered a resolution that W II.
Lamon, [. S Marshal for the District Of
Columbia, by his recent order communicated
to the Senate, excluding members Of the
Senate from the Jail without a pass from
him (Lamon). has been guilty of a breach
of the privileges Of the Senate and Of con-
tempt Of the rightlul authority Of this body;
and that the Secretary Of the Senate be d.
rected to communicate copy Of this resolu-
ton 70 the President.
The bill for promoting the efficiency OF the
Dead Letter Office, was taken up and passed.
Mr.. Sherman from the select committee
on Compensation, &c, introduced bill in
relation to printing for the Government.
New York, Jan. Il.
The Twes' Washington dispatch says
that the Committee on the conduct of the
war have resolved to advise the immediate
passage Of 4 bill to punish with death any
person who commits frauds upon the Gov
ernmcnt whereby a soldier Is bodily injured,
as for instance IN the sale Of unsound pro-
visions, also to punish with Imprisonment
and the cJnGscation Of all the property
and Government dues, Of all contractors who
ID any way defraud the Government in the
quality Of goods sold or services pretended
to be rendered to the Government.
1t is understood that the contracts let out
by Secretary Cameron for over million
Springfield muskets and over a quarter Of
million Of rifles and carbines will be ordered
to be aunulled by Congress. They will not
be available in the present war. and as they
are to cost an average Of seven dollars each
above the manufacturer S prices, they involve
a loss Of nearly S9,OOO,OOO to the Treasury.
The Tri5uHe's dispatch says the House
Military Committee this morning authorized
Mr.. DIN to report bill reducing the num-
Der of Chaplains to one to each Brigade, and
establishing Hospital Chaplains.
Gen. Sigcl is strongly pushed for Major
Generalship by Senators and Representatives
from the North West Chicago particularly
urEes his appointment.