Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-12-11
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE
Washington, D. G., Dec. l, 1862.

vs. Washington, D. c., Dec. l, 1862.
EDITOR HERALD:-At IL M. to-day, the
drop of the hammers officially welded by the
presiding officers of the Senate and House OF
Representatives, will announce the opening OF
the last session of the 37th Congress, "a Con
press that in all time must be regarded as sur
passing in importance any that has preceded
It. And that the session begun to-day, will
possess as much interest, at least, as did the
last, | do not doubt. Aside from the great
questions having intimate connection with the
welfare of the country, and the successful tor
mnation of the war, that must necessarily re-
ceiye Congressional attention this winter, the
Democracy have determined to drag poll
tics into its halls, and if possible to revive and
intensity all the party prejudces of the past.
You may, therefore, expect much angry dis
cussion ere the 4th Of next March.
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
I believe that it is an established fact that
our present Secretary of the Interior, Mr..
Smith, will resign during the present month,
for the purpose of accepting a seat on the ou-
preme Bench. Who his successor will be, is
extremely doubtful. Among those named are
SCHUYLER Colfax, of Indiana, Joseph Holt Of
Kentucky; O. H Browning Of Illinois, and
John d. Defrees and Mr. Usher of lndi-
ana All these at present occupy govern
ment Offices. Colfax wonld be the most prom
inent, were it not that he cannot well be spared
from Congress. No other Republican could
be elected from his district.
BURNsIDE's ARMY.
Although it was not expected here, upon
the removal of Mcclellan, that so long time
would elapse without a great battle between
the Army of the Potomac, and the enemy, yet
every one seems to entertain perfect confidence
in Gen. Burnside's loyalty and capacity, and
that he is doing tho best he can under exist
ing circumstances. Whether he will attack
the enemy at fredericksburg and move upon
Richmond from that point, or whether he will
adopt some other course, remains to be seen.
That the rebel Capital will be in his hands by
the FIRST day of next January, | firmly be-
ieve.
THE Mcdowell INVESTIGATION.
The official enquiry into the conduct of this
officer has been in p.ogress some days, and
bids fa,r to continue many days longer 1t
seems that no formal charges have been pre-
ferred against him, but that the investigation
is made at his own request, in consequence, l
suppose, Of the public feeling against him,
that has existed for so many months. The
manner of proceeding in his case was suggest
ed by himself, and the witnesses are of bis own
. naming.
THE EMANCIPATION MEASURE.
II is understood that concerted aud most
thorough effort will be mad, by the recently
successful Democracy of the North, during tho
present month, to induce the Presiden! to re-
woke his proclamation freeing the slaves of the
rebel States This will be eminsntly in keep
ing with the principles and objects of party
SO VIGOROUSLY in sympathy with the rebels, as
is the Democracy now organized in the North.
| have too much confidence in the President to
believe that he viii weld to any body of men
having so disgraceful a purpose.
GENERAL POPE.
A prominent officer of nearly twenty years
service in the regular army, and who has had
. responsible position on the stat Of General