, 1862-02-26
FROM WASHINGTON.

Especial Dispatch TO the Ch1cago Tfabune4
WASHINGTON, February Is, 1sG2.
Much excitement has been oecasioned by
the discovery that the Bill introduced by Nh.
Wade, from the 6. Conduct Of the War" COM
mittee, and passed some time since, au-
thorizing the President 10 take possess
sion Of Railroads; also authorized.
him to "extend" Railroads by construc- /
ton It appears that since the passage Of this
bill contract has been made by the War De- /
partment TO build Railroad one hundred and
eighty miles long, from Lebanon, Ky., to
Knoxville Tennessee. The House, to-day,
repealed that portion Of the bill almost unani
mously, and there is talk Of motion to dis
charge the sConduct Of the War'' Committee
from further session.
It is understood that resolution has been !
adopted In Executive session Of the Senate, |
calling for informotion relative to alleged i'm |
| proper acts Of Gen. Blenker.
Gen. sturgis's confirmation Is hung up by |
| the Senate. Il
! The troops On the Potomac will not be paid
| untn tho pnyzaaa4tax.e ara through With those
battling for the Union in the West and On the
seabea1d.
Gen. Fremont was not at Saturdays cere-
mony In the House, because the Invitation
didn't reach him till yesterday; and then
through mail, postmarked February ed"
His friends think the slight Intentional
Col Wood, Major scagonyi, and Savage, Of
Gen. Fremont's staff, wore examined before
the Committee on the Conanet Of the War,
yesterday
Col Lee, from Richmond, brought to this
Government communication from Howell
Cobb, 1elatipg ostensib1y to an exchange Of
prisoners, but probably to other matters also.
Trumbulls speech on the con6scation bill,
J to-day, was very strong, and had marked cf-
feet; taking the ground, among other things,
tlat the rebels and not loyal men must pay
the expenses Of this war. The bill will have
| q decided minority in the senate.
News from Leayenworth has rendered toler-
! ably certain General Lanes return to the Sen
J / ate.
The Mexican treaty, resolution, &C., were
! defeated in executive session Of the senate-
ayes 8, noes 2S.--This carries the rejection Of
Gen. Scott as additional Minister to Mexico.
Blair's bill, from the House Military Com
I mittcc, for an Engineer Brigade, is believed
to. have connection with the Danvi1le and
| Knoxville Railroad and also with the recent
! 7 appointment Of Auasa Stone, the great rail
s road contractor Of Cleveland, as Brigadisr
! General Stone has not yet been confirmed.
8 / Mr. Wilson Of Iowa procured the postpone
I ment Of the bill just on the point Of Its pass
| age. The following has been introduced by
Senator Grimes on the subject:
I Rteoesed That the Secretary Of War be directed
to communicate to the Eenate whetheran CONTRACT
! CT hot+o honr
taken, looking to contracts for the construction
. Of any rai1road by under authority Of the Wa,
y Department, and If 20 what ia the nature and char
acter OF said contract, with whom made, and unde
g what authority or law was 1t made.
= ! In the course Of discussion On the bill for
bidding military slave catching, Mr. Wickldi
81 Of Kentucky said Gen. Grant found twels,
Il LE1ayes belonging to Unionists in For
y Done1Eon, and returned them. aI1
Il Grider Of Ky. said three hundred thousau
Il dollars worth Of slaves belonging to Union
D. lists had been carried from three counties Q
IT, Kentucky, By flying rebels.
The bill introduced to-day by Mr.. VanWyc
q l=provides ttzM officers Of tho Government
= except Posf{hastcrs and Consuls receiving h
Il stipulated salezy, shall hereafter pay all fer
now forming a part Of their compensation
u; IT, into the Treasury, and that all salaries
. taxed Us follows: ten thousand do
! lars and upwards, thirty per cent
8 $3.50 and upwards, Is per cent; $50
g and upwards, 20 per cent. 5000 md u
4 wards, Is per cent; 5000 and upwards,
g per cent; $1,000 and upwards, S per cent;
3 be collected By the diebursing officer fro
q salaries and paid into the treasury.
Mr. Fenton, Chairman Of the House Cor
Il mittce of Claims, to-day introduced
= bill re1ating to Claims against Il
Il Government for loss ard damage
q the property Of loyal citizens By the z.
S troops during the rebellion, which provid
g for the appointment Of three Commissions
% to hold Office during the pleasure Of the Pre-
q dent, and to have. a solicitor, clerk, and m
70 ehal. The Commissioners to have cognjsau
e Of all claims Of loyal citizens for loss and da
sge to property growing out Of rebellion,
g examine propertyeand claims, issue 6ubp
s. nas, take testimony as to the loyalty
IT claimants sustaining such loss; q
t,oo attempt at fraud to forfeit claim to
Government. The claimant Is requ
ed to publish his account against the Cove
be 1nent for thirty C0) days in = newspaper ne
De est hts residence, with statement giving I
TIC ticulars aud the number Of his claim, mar
died NJ nersons having any knowledge concern
cor It; all such proceedings to be committed
ra- writing and transmitted to the Secretary
ID War, who hss to lay the same before Cong
to make provisions for the relief Of 3
claimants.
.-o, ITO the Associated press1
aver WAsuIfa1oS, Feb 25.-The Conferc
~, Comu1lttee on the Treasury Note bill ulal
's7' report yesterday recommending, that ;
\. houses Of Congress recede from the post
:, - ! nf their amendments The report was
Is, is cplrcd in by both Houses, and the bill pas
udea RePoIte *hen aaso a tsa rahs1a % %
He '1 esesated ~ -
,a1ze, Tbs &ar has reliable Information to: the
:; feet that no considerable force OF 1ehela