Specials to New York Papers

(Tribune’s Special.)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26. – The House bill for the apportionment of members of congress among the States to-day passed both Houses.  The amendment which was adopted gives one additional member to the States of Vermont, Rhode Island, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois and Minnesota, in consequence of the large fractions in the populations of these States not represented, by the law as it first passed the House.  Thus, Ohio which now has 21 members, by the law as it passed the House got 18, and by the amendment it will get 19 members.  The bill only requires the President’s signature to become a law.

The Armory Committee of the House will to-morrow report in favor of establishing a National foundry east of the Alleghenies and an armory foundry and manufacturing arsenal west of the Alleghenies.  The sites of all to be selected by five commissioners appointed by the President, who shall report within sixty days to the Secretary of War, who shall send the result, together with estimate of the cost to Congress.  The three works west are intended to be placed at different points.

The Senate Committee on Naval Affairs will report a reduction of the salaries of navy officers of 20 per cent on the highest grade and 15 per cent on the intermediate, and 10 percent on the lower.  Also the abolition of all navy agencies and naval store keepers, offices, and the hemp and live oak agencies, transferring the duties heretofore performed by those officers to paymasters of the Navy on duty at or near the different Navy yards and Stations, under regulations to be made by the Secretary of the Navy or order of the president.

A vote will probably be reached in the case of Benjamin Starke, applicant for the seat of a Senator from Oregon to-morrow or next day. – The first question will be upon the amendment, which, in effect, declares that Starke, charged by affidavits and otherwise, with disloyalty, is not entitled to his seat until the truth of these charges shall have been investigated.  Should this amendment be voted down, Mr. Starke will be admitted to his seat.  Should it be adopted, a fair question upon the sufficiency of the evidence of his disloyalty will remain.  The vote upon Mr. Sumner’s amendment will be a close one, but there is no reason to fear that it will be defeated.

(Herald’s Dispatch.)

The roads on both sides of the Potomac were getting into good condition rapidly, until a rain storm set in this evening, which has again rendered them almost impassable for loaded teams.

A report that Gen. Dan Sickles was shot at his camp today, is quite current.  This evening it is disbelieved.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 1, 1862, p. 3