The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-02-27
BY TELEGRAPH.
Important from Washington.

Important from Washington.
Washington, Feb. Is.
Much excitement has been caused BY
the discovery that the bill introduced by
MIR. Wade from the conduct of the war
committee and passed some time since,
authorizing the President to take posses
sion of railroads also authorized him to
extend railroads by construction 1t ap.
pears that since the passage Of this bill
contract has been made by the War De
partment to build railroad from Lebanon
Ky. to Knoxville, Tenn The House To-
day repealed that portion of the bill al
most unanimously, and there is talk of
motion to discharge the conduct Of the
1t is understood that a resolution has
been adopted in executive session of the
Senate, calling for information relative to
alleged improper acts on the part Of Gen.
Blenker.
Gen. Sturgis' confirmation is hung up
by the Senate.
The troops on the Potomac will not be
paid until the Paymasters are through
with those battling for the Union in the
West and on the seaboard.
Gen. Fremont was not at SATURDAYS
ceremony in the House. because the inyi-
tation did not reach him till yesterday,
and then through the mail, postmarked
Feb. %. His friends think the slight in
territorial.
Col. Wood, Majs. Bazoryi and Savage,
Of Gen. Fremont's staff, were examined
before the conduct Of the war commmittee
yesterday.
Col. Lee from Richmond broght to this
Government communication from How
ell Cobb relating ostensibly to an ex-
change Of prisoners. but probably to 9TH
or matters.
Trumbulls speech to-day on the con-
fiscation bill was very strong and had
marked effect, taking the ground, among
other things, that the rebels and not the
loyal men must pay the expenses of this
war.
News from Leavenworth has rendered it
tolerably certain that Gen. Lane will re
turn to the Senate.
The Mexican treaty resolution, DC,
were defeated in the executive session Of
the Senate-ayes s, nays 49, This causes
the rejection of Gen. Scott as additional
Minister to Mexico.
Blair's bill from the House Military
Committee, for an Engineer Brigade is
believed to have connection with the Dan
vile and Knox vile Railroad and also with
the recent appointment Of Amasa Stone,
the great railroad contractor Of Cleveland,
as Brigadier General. Stone has not yet
been confirmed. Mr.. Wilson, of Iowa,
procured the postponement of the bill
just on the point of its passage The
following has been introduced by Senator
Grimes ON the subject:
Resolved, That the Sec'y of War be d.
rected to communicate to the Senate
whether any contract has been made and
whether any steps have been taken look
ing to contracts for the construction of any
railroad by or under the authority of the
War Department, and if SO, what is the
nature and character of said contract, with
whom made, and undA whatsauthority or
law was it made.
In the course of discussion on the bill
forbidding military slave catching Wick.
| life, Of KY, said that Gen. Grant found
| IL slaves belonging to Unionists in For,
Donelson and returned them. Order d
KY, said 100000 worth Of slaves be-
longing to Unionists had been carried of
from three counties Of Kentucky BY fyino
rebels.
I The bill introduced to-day by Mr.. Var
Wyck provides that all officers Of the
Government, except Postmasters and Con
suls, receiving no stipulated salary shall
pay all fees now forming part of their
compensation into the Treasury, and that
all salaries be taxed as follows: $40, 00C
and upwards 80 per cent, 81, 500 and up.
wards rs per cent, 5000 and upwards 20
per cent, $4,000 and upwards Is pei
cent, 81. 600 and upwards 10 per cent,
$1,000 and upwards S per cent, to be
collected by the disbursing officer from
the salaries and by him paid into the
Treasury,
Il Mr.. Fenton, Chairman of the Hease
Committee on Claims, to-day introduced o
bill relating to claims against the Govern
mens for and damage to the property o.
loyal citizens by the q. s. troops during
the rebellion. which provides for the ap
pointment of three commissioners to hole
Office during the pleasure Of the Presi
dent, and to lave solicitor, clerk ane
Marshal. the commissioners to have
cognixance of all claims of loyal citizens
, for loss or damage TO property growing GU
Of the rebellion, to examine property ant
claims, issue subpnnas, take testimony a
to the loyalty of claimants sustainin,
such loss; any attempt at fraud to forfeit
the claim to the Government. TIL
| claimant is required to publish his accoun
against the Government for thirty days ii
| n nawSna y,ar n an rost IN his rpsi1anca wstl