The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1862-01-24
Thirty-Seventh Congress,
FIRST SESSION.
WASHINGTON. Jan. I

WASHINGTON, Jan. IL.
SENATE.-Mr. Collamer from the Com
mittee on Postofices reported back the
House bill in relation to the letters of sal
lors and marines. The bill extends the
privilege of sending letters not prepaid to
sailors and marines.
Mr.. Fessenden from the Committee on
Finance reported back House bill joint reso-
luton declaratory of the purpose of Congress
to impose tax--Blll was passed, yeas 80,
nays, Mr.. Powell, one.
Mr.. Dixon from the Committee on Con-
tingent Expenses reported back the resolu-
tion to pay Mr.. Stanton the usual compen-
sation and mileage.
Mr.. Fessenden moved to amend the reso-
luton so as to made it exclusive OF mileage.
This was agreed to and the resolution pass.
ed.
MIR. Chandler presented the credentials
of Hon. Jacob M. Howard, Senator elect
from Michigan, in place of Mr.. Bingham,
deceased. Mr.. Howard appeared and took
the oath.
Several petitions in favor of emancipation
OF the slaves were presented.
MIR. Trumbull presented petition from
Mr.. O L. Sanford, who represents himself
as contractor with Messrs. Cummings &
Tucker. He says that be received informa-
tiOn from the War Department that they
&c. & T. were authorized to act, but is
now surprised to learn that Mr.. Cameron
says that the heads of bureaus made all
the contracts. Mr.. Sanford asks the pas
sage of law to legalize contracts made SO
as to prevent loss to honest contractors.
Referred.
HoUsE.-On motion of Mr.. Fenton over
one hundred bills from the Court OF Claims,
were referred to Committee on Claims.
The House resumed the consideration of
the Pennsylvania contested election case.
A vote was taken on the substitute report
ed from the minority of the Committee on
Election, that John M. Butler is not, and
VIM. E. Lehman is, entitled to seat as
Representative from the first congressional
district of Pennsy lvania, which was adopted
by vote of Is against 81.
The House then concurred in the Senate
amendment to the bill to promote the eff
cheney of the Dead Letter Office.
Mr.. Delano made a report from the
Committee for the District of Columbia, on
resolution referred to them relative to
Marshal Lannon's Jail regulation. The
Committee say that it was strictly in Mar.
shal Lannon's official discretion to make
rules to remedy existing abuses. The Cons
mittee asked to be discharged from further
consideration of the subject. The further
consideration of the report was postponed.
Mr.. Stevens from the Committee on
Ways and Means, reported bill for the
suspension of the West Point Military
Academy. He took this occasion to ex-
plain the reasons why the appropriation
bills were not sooner reported. He stated
that the committee on gathering facts, &c.
work for hours after attending to business
in this hall. He desired to say that the
criticisms and libels of the press would not
make them move one minute faster than
due regard to the public interests will per.
nit
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.
William A. Hall, representa-
tive of the Sd Congressional District of
Missouri, appeared and was sworn.
Mr.. Dawes, from the Committee on elec-
tiOns reported a resolution that joseph
Segar is not entitled to seat as Repre-.
sentative from the lst District of Virginia.
Laid over. Also resolution which was
adopted, that pending the discussion of the
subject, Mr.. Seager be permitted to OCCUPY
a seat on the floor, with leave to address the
House on the merits of the question.
Mr.. Kellogg, of Illinois, introduced a
bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treas
ury to settle with the States for supplies
furnished to their respective troops. Re-
ferred to Committee on Judiciary.
On motion of Mr.. Daley, delegate from
Nebraska, it was resolved that as Alabama
has REASONABLY entered into the rebellion,
the Committee on Public Lands enquire
into the expediency of coniscating certain
lands selected by that State under the law
of Congress, and that thesa be applied to
the use of seminary now in operation in
that Territory.
tee on Judiciary was instructed to inquire
whether further legislation is necessary to
secure to the relatives OF volunteers killed
or died, the bounty provided by the act of
July last.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 81.
SENATE.--Mr. Sumner from the Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs reported back a
resolution to allow certain officers to receive
presents from the japanese Government.
The resolution was passed--yeas %, nays
IA.
Mr.. Browning offered resolution that
the Committee on the judiciary inquire into
the expediency of go amending the natur-
alization laws as to confer right of citizen
ship on foreigners who may serve in the
present war.
Mr.. Trumbull offered bill to regulate
the compensation of District Attorneys.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson the bill to
complete the defences of Washington was
taken up, and the amendment of the House
agreed to.
Mr.. Wilson offered new section repeal
ing the act allowing the discharge of minors
and providing that no persons shall hereaf-
ter be mustered into the service under
eighteen years of age, but the oath OF enlist
ment shall be conclusive as to age, agreed to.
Mr.. Wilson offered another amendment
altering the articles of war, by providing
the peralty of death to persons found lurk-