The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-15
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.


WASHINGTON. Feb. Il. 1865
PETITIONS A HosRnAI-
Several petitions presented for q camp hospita
and ambulance corps.
TEMPORARY GOVERNMENT FoR THE TERRITORY OF MONTANA
Mr. WADE, (rep) Of Ohio. from tho Committee on Ter
ritories reported back the bill to provide temporar,
govern ment for the Territory Of Montana.
THE PETITION OF MORTON FOR CONVERSATION.
Mr.. WILSON, (rep.) of Mass, from tho Committee on
Military Affairs to whom referred the petitioh o'
Dr. T. G. Norton asking for compensation for the use
q ether In tho army, made report OF the isc, waou'
any recommendation
ESTABLISHMENT OF fosr ROUTES a.
Mr. Co1IAnya lrep.) Of VT, from the Post once
Committee reported bill establishing certain post routes
INCREASING InE EFFICIENCY or THE HOSPITAL DEPARTMENT
NJ HOWARD frep) Of Mich, introduced bill TO In
crease The eicency the hospital department Of the
Amy Referred 10 the Military Committee.
rus ADMISSION WEST VIRGINIA.
Mr. CARIIs, (Union) Of Va, introduced bill supple
enary 10 the the admission Of the State OF West
virginia the Union Referred 10 the Judiciary Com
ruE ENHANCEMENT or THE CANALS.
Mr. HOWARD from the Military Committee reported
back bill to enlarge the canals and the Fox aud Wis
cousin rivers.
10 PREVENT AN PUNISH FRAUDS AGAINST CONVENIENT
Mr.. HOWARD called up the bin TO prevent and punish
frauds against the govern nent.
Mr. CowAN, (rep) Of Pa, said that the second section
provided that every contracting to furnish supplies
OF any kind to the army navy and every person who
procured aided to procure any claim for any such
plies should be considered in the military
vice. and subject TO military laws regulations Such
provision monstrous 1t would sweep under mar
ta law large class of citizens and ali OF tho legal profess
sion who might aid in procuring any claim, matter
whether he knew about the character Of the claim or not
de would have punishment melted out to those
who defrauded the government; but he would have 1t
done by courts He moved to strike out the second sec
tion.
Mr. PoxERoY (rep OF Kansas, said feared that the
bill would bring into the service OF the United States
large class OF persons were now in the army; and
would not the also be- bound in the way OF
pensions, &c.9
Nj. WILSON, (rep) Of Msss., said very few hundred
names would comprise all the contractors included in the
bill
Mr. HOWARD contended that no consent OF the person was
required TO place him under the rules and regulations Of
me military service and Just and proper TO place
the contractors who cheated the under
sal law place private soldiers under such law He
nothing TO complain of on behalf OF such persons
Mr. MORRILL,, (rep) OF Me-. thought the bill Justly open
70 the criticism Of the Senator from Pennsylvania He
could any necessity bringing this class Of per-
courts in existence These contractors could always
% reached In the courts.
NJ. WILoN, of Mass, said the halls Of Congress had
rung with dennnciatons OF fraudulent contractors The
government doing what could, but found had
law to reach these He hoped the Senate would
pass some bill in order TO reach these cases. He offered
substitute FOR the second section providing that all
tracts for munitions Of war or supplies Of any kind
hereafter made shall contain tho provision that per
son making such contract shall be considered in the
military service and TO the rules Of war conHn
Ing such service entirely to contractors.
After discussion by Messrs. DAVIS HOWARD and CowAN
the amendment OF Mr. Wilson withdrawn the second
section was stricken out and the bill passed.
TIE PACIFIC RAILROAD.
Mr. HARLAN (rep) OF Iowa, called up the bill to estab
kh the gauge OF the Pacific Railroad and its branches 1t
makes tho gauge four feet and eight and half inches
NJ Har stated as reason for fixing this gauge that
u was NECESSARY to make the gauge conform
possible to majority OF the roads OF the country 80 that
rolling stock &C., might be transferred There
587 miles Of road Of this gauge and only 100 OF
Mr. ESbEs (rep) Of Me- said II was conceded fact
that such gauge too narrow. The best roads in
England had altered their gauges and some OF them
seven feet The reason why roads bu lit
this proposed gauge was because they had begun and