Wheeling Daily Intelligencer

CONGRESSIONAL.
Washington, Dec. 10.

Senate.—Mr. Seward submitted a resolution which lies over under the rule directing the joint committees on printing to enquire and report whether any new provisions of law are necessary to secure the faithful performance on the part of Congress of existing contracts which provides for accurate reports of debates of the two Houses.

Mr. Douglas gave notice of his intention to introduce a bill at an early day to enable the people of Kansas to form a State Constitution and State government preparatory to their admission into the Union.

Mr. Foote gave notice of his intention to introduce a bill making grants of public lands to actual settlers.

The Senate then went into executive session. Senate adjourned till Monday.

House.—Mr. Dowdell offered a resolution requesting the ministers of the gospel of Washington City to alternately open the daily sessions of the House with prayer.

Jones of Tenn., presented petitions against the employment of chaplains by government, on the ground that it was unconstitutional. A debate ensued, during which, in reply to a question, it was stated that various ministers had tendered gratuitous service.

The Speaker appointed Messrs. Smith, of Va., Grow and Taylor, of New York, Nichols and Smith, of Tenn., and Morse and Dowdell, as committee authorized and to be appointed to examine into the subject of public printing, and report such reforms as they may deem advisable.

On motion of Mr. Banks the Speaker was authorized to appoint the standing committee; in order to afford him an opportunity to do so, that when the House adjourn it be till Monday next.

On motion of Mr. Warren a committee was ordered to be appointed to report when the new Hall of Representatives can be occupied.

Stevens, of Georgia, offered a resolution which was adopted, providing for the distribution of books, heretofore ordered to be printed, to new members.

Letcher took occasion to say it was the duty of the House to stop evil book distribution—some volumes now in preparation, a single one of which will cost two hundred thousand dollars. Everything to be printed should be first scrutinized, especially as we have heard so much about plunder. Adjourned.