The Sun.
London, England, 1868-02-03 00:00:00

THE S UN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 3, 1868.

CONGRESS.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Jan. 9.—The House resumed the consideration of
the resolution reported yesterday from the Commit-
tee on Foreign Affairs, requesting the President to
intercede for the release of the Rev. John M'Mahon,
who is now imprisoned in Kingston, Canada West.
Mr. Wood, of New York, while advocating the
adoption of the resolution, thought it should be
broad enough to embrace other cases. Mr. Shanks,
of Indiana, also advocated the passage of the
resolution, and said it was true the American Go-
vernment was fully waked up to this subject, and
insisted upon a recognition of the rights of our
citizens. Mr. Brooks, of New York, suggested
that the language of the resolution be changed in
some particulars. Ile would not use the words
"convicted as a Fenian raider," for he would not
admit that Mr. M'Mahon was ever legally con-
victed ; nor would he use the word " raider," espe-
cially as there was no such word. Mr. Banks, of
Massachusetts, said it was necessary to describe the
charge upon which M'Mahon had been arrested and
convicted, and the committee had therefore adopted
the language used. After further discussion the
resolution was altered to make it read " arrested
for alleged treason and felony," and the resolution
was then passed as verbally amended. A similar
resolution in relation to John Lynch, who is also
in Kingston Gaol, was passed, on the motion of Mr.
Paine, of Wisconsin. Mr. Ward then offered a
joint resolation to make a' similar effort to secure
the release of Colonel Warren and Colonel Nagle
and others, who were arrested in Ireland, and it
was also adopted. A bill was passed for the relief
of the United States Consul at Norway, appropri-
ating a certain amount of money as salary for the
time that he was detained in Norway after he had
received notification that his salary would cease.—
The •bill was then passed. Mr. Schenck, of Ohio,
from the Committee of Ways and Means, reported
a bill authorising the appointment of a commission
of five persons by, the Secretary of the Treasury,
and who shall make an examination of all meters
submitted for use in the distilleries, and who shall
report upon said meters and recommend one
for adoption before January next. Pending the
action of the commission, and until a meter has
been adopted, all further Government work in the
manufacture of meters shall be suspended. Pend-
ing further consideration of the above, the Senate
amendment to the House bill abolishing the bonded
warehouse system was received, and by unanimous
consent it was immediately taken up and the amend-
ment was agreed to. The bill reported from the
Ways and Means Committee, in relation to meters,
was then taken up. Mr. Schenck, of Ohio, pro-
ceeded to explain the reasons which induced the
committee to recommend this commission. They
believed that better satisfaction would thus be
given, and he was satisfied that the result arrived
at would sooner be secured. After a protracted
debate, Mr. Schenck obtained the floor, and moved
the previous question on his bill, which was se-
conded, but without coining to a vote, the House,
at 4.30, adjourned.
Jan. 10.—After a debate relating to the whisky
meters, which assumed a political tone, the Speaker
laid before the House a communication from the
President of the United States, transmitting one
from the Secretary of State, announcing that the
following States had given official notice of the
ratification of the 14th amendment to the Consti-
tution, viz. :—Connecticut, New Hampshire, Ne-
braska, Massachusetts, Tennessee, New Jersey,
Oregon, Vermont, Nevada, Indiana, Wisconsin,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New York, Ohio,
Illinois, West Virginia, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri,
and Minnesota.--Referred to Committee on Judi-
ciary. Also a communication from the President,
asking an appropriation of $28,000, to pay for
the purchase of the Spanish vessel Servinta,
which was captured off Port Royal in December,
1861, on a charge of being engaged in a contraband
trade.—Referred to Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Also a communication from the Secretary of War,
transmitting a draft of a resolution for the sale of
the site of Fort Caroll, in Baltimore.—Referred to
Committee on Military Affairs.

Jan. 11.—The Speaker laid before the Ibuse the
acts passed at the last session of the Le4islature of
the Territory of Arizona.—Referred to the Commit-
' tee on Territories. In accordance with the order of
the llouse yesterday no business could be transacted
to-day, and immediately after the reading of yester-
day's journal, the House resolved itself into Com-
mittee of the Whole; Mr. Dawes of Massachusetts,
iu the chair. Mr. Baldwin, of Massachusetts, pro-
ceeded to address the House upon the subject of
according equality under the law to all classes and
o arguments
New
York,
rk,oyeaawlsubmittedneldrnwuoaihdedutrwsheeioi
conditions of people. He replied at length to the
denied
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negro had never exercised an influence upon the
world. Mr. Barnes, of New York, next addressed
the House upon the causes that led to the pre.zent
depression in the financial condition of the country,
its effect upon labour, and then proceeded to pre-
sent the remedies which in his opinion were de-
manded to secure a return to a basis of specie pay-
ments, and a consequent return of prosperity to the
whole country. Air. Barnes contended that the re-
turn to specie payments could not, and should not,
qtdfihuureseetssftpooi
interestsoper
cnmp opportunity
fsttninhniitfsddst
be done hastily. He was for the present in favour
of leaving the currency where it was, without either
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h properb naturaly gi
giving
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further contraction or further expansion, and he had
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followingeseuyannrsvipreviousutonn thriwionr:
first,en retardingtlydone;
instabilityan
nishel the people ; second, the low price of United
States Bonds, affecting a certain portion of the cur-
rency; and, third, the inadequate security fur-
nished by the National Banks : Therefore—Re-
solved, That the Committee on Banking and Cur-
rency be and is hereby directed to inquire into
the expediency of fixing the currency at its present
nominal amount for a period of years, and also how
the franchises of the national banks can be so
changed as to furnish the billholders ample security
when the resumption of specie payment shall occur ;
or how the bills of the said national banks may be
converted into legal tenders, with other recommen-
dations thereto pertaining, and to report by bill or
otherwise." Mr. Wood, of New York, condemned
the practice of rushing measures through the
House, under the operation of the previous question
without debate. Mr. Ward followed, and delivered
a long speech, when the House adjourned.
Jan. 13.—Under the call of States for bills and
resolutions for reference only, the following were
joint
introduced and referred to appropriate committees.
By Mr. Blaine, of Maine; bill in relation to taxing
Sylvania, bill requiring the concurrence of shares of national banks. By Mr. Miller, of Fenn
two-
thirds of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the
United States to pronounce a law of Congress un-
constitutional. Also a bill in relation to the pas-
sageßy Mr. Hunter, of India ,til , bill to fund the national
of a tariff bill with as little delay as possible.
debt. Mr. Bingham, of Ohio, offered a resolution
to suspend the rules, and to authorize the Committee
on Reconstruction to report at once; and that the
consideration of the bill shall be postponed until to-
morrow after the morning hour, and that the debate
shall further be exten led until Wednesday,
when, after debate, the previous question shall
be called and the vote taken. The resolution
Mr. Bingham then reported, from the Recoustruc-
was agreed to by a vote of 116 yeas to 14 nays.
acts, and it was
tion Committee, a bill supplemental to the recon-
structionrecommitted and made
the special order for to-morrow, after the morning
hour.* Mr. Bingham said he had no disposition
to cut off debate upon the bill, and by an unani-
mous consent the first resolution was so modified
bill is disposed of. His object in offering the
as to permit debate from day to day until the
resolutions was to prevent dilatory motions
Mr. Wilson, of lowa, under a suspension of the
rules—yeas 113, nay 37--reported from the com-

• mittee on the Judiciary, the Senate Bill, making five
judges a quorum of the Supreme Court, with an
amendment declaring that no act of Congress shall
be declared unconstitutional except by a concur-
rence of two-thirds of the members of the Court.
Mr. Williams, of Pennsylvania, offered an amend-
ment, providing that in all cases where the validity
of an act of Congress is brought into question the
case shall be heard before a full bench of the Su-
preme Court, and no judgment of the unconstitu-
tionality of the act of Congress shall be made ex-
cept by a concurrence of all the judges. Mr. Wil-
liams said he was not prepared to speak upon his
amendment to-day, but he submitted it for the action
of the House, and would ask permission to print such
remarks as he proposed to make upon the subject.
Mr. Lawrence, of Ohio, said the amendment did
not seem to be al strong as a bill that had been
some time ago passed. Mr. Williams said that was
the very reason why the whole subject should be
I very carefully considered. Mr. Pruyn, of New
1 York, deprecated hasty action upon so momentous
a subject as this. It seemed to him sometimes that
he was in the midst of a revolutionary body, be-
cause, not satisfied with relieving the President of
power, it was now proposed to encroach upon the
powers of the Supreme Court. Mr. Marshall, of
Illinois, also deprecated the hasty legislation that bad
too often prevailed here. It was this system of hasty
action that placed the House in a bad condition before
the country. Mr. Spaulding, of Ohio, said lie had
great respect for the law and for those who adminis-
tered it, and as he was classed among the moderate
men of the House he hoped that some respect would
be paid to his opinion upon this subject. Some
twelve months ago he became cognizant of the fact
that the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr.
Williams) had a bill prepared like the ono intro-
duced to-day. The bill in its inception struck him
, I (Mr. Spaulding) as one that would be beneficial to
the country at large, but he objected then, and he
objected now, to a law which would require all the
members of the Supreme Court to unite in a judg-
ment calculated to impair an act of Congress. He
recommended that two-thirds of the bench should be
made the number of judges necessary. He was there-
; fore prepared to vote for the bill as reported by the
Committee on the Judiciary, and he came to the con-
I elusion to vote for it after a full analysis of the Con-
; I stitution itself. Mr. Wilson, of lowa, here offered
another amendment, providing that if the Circuit
or District Courts of the United States should ad-
. judge an act of Congress to be unconstitutional, and
it should be carried to the Supreme Court for re-
view, and two-thirds of the Supreme Court should
not ratify the action of the court below, then such
decision of the lower court should be declared re-
versed. Mr. Wilson, of lowa, at this point de-
manded the previous question upon the bill and
amendment, and it was seconded. Mr. Woodward,
of Pennsylvania, argued against the bill. Mr.
Wilson closed debate by speaking in favour of the
Ibill ; after which the question was taken, and Mr.
I Williams' amendment was rejected by yeas 25, nays
124. Mr. Wilson's amendments were then agreed
to, and the bill passed by a vote of 116 yeas to 39
nays. Mr. Garfield, of Ohio, introduced a bill to
reduce the military peace establishment by dropping
one of the major-generals—the one to be dropped to
be the one last commissioned prior to Jan. 1, 1868.
Mr. Garfield moved a suspension of the rules to
have the bill considered at this time, but as it was
evident that this would be prevented by debating
motions, the bill was withdrawn, Mr. Garfield giving
notice that he would call it up next Monday. The
House then adjourned at 6.30 p.m.
Jan. 14.—Mr. M'Cartby, of New York, offered a
resolution declaring that the right of expatriation
bad always been the doctrine of the people and Go-
vernment of the United States ; that all citizens are
I entitled to protection by the Government ; that the
, failure to protect our citizens is due to the want of
I energetic action on the part of the executive
branch of the Government, and that Congress
I will sustain the Executive in all efforts to pro-
! teet citizens abroad, &c. Mr. Dawes—" I ob-
I jeet. We have bad enough of these resolu-
tions." Mr. Schenck, of Ohio, from Committee
of Ways and Means, reported back the Senate
amendments to the House Bill repealing the tax on
cotton, with a r. commendation that the House non-
concur in the Senate amendments, and ask a com-
mittee(The Senate amendin fits of conference.
propose to suspend the tax only for the year 1868 )
The amen linents of the Senate were non-coneerrod
in. Alr.
es Phelps,oltiou ,
n of Maryland, introduced the fal-
lowing which was referred to the Corn-
llino. r
mittee of Ways and Means :—" Resolved—That
the Committee of Ways and Means be instructed to
inquire into the expediency of so amending the
revenue laws as to authorize a drawback for expor-
tation upon copper smelted by the infusion of
foreign ores, to the extent of the duties naid by such
imported ores." Mr. Eggleston, Ohio, offered a resolu-
tion, which was referred, directing the Committee of
Ways and Means to inquire into the expediency
privi-
lege to eliingtothehighest bidder the exclusive
manufacture distilled spirits in the United
States and Territories for the term of ten years for
the sum of 75 million dollars per annum. Mr.
Stevens asked consent to offer certain amendments
to the District of Columbia School Bill, and have
them printed. Mr. Wood, of New York, asked Mr.
Stevens if he proposed to urge this bill to its pas-
sage at this session ? Mr. Stevens said he should
like to have the bill discussed and considered at this
session. The amendments were then offered and
ordered to be printed. Mr. Washburne, of Illinois,
from the Committee on Appropriations, reported a
bill to prevent the payment of the following classes
of claims until after further action by Congress,
"viz.:—Claims on account of seizures or damages
to vessels, cars, &c., used for the transportation of
troops in the Southern States during the war ;
Waggon, &e., in the
Southern2d for other
States
ng it by a r ;
and 3d, for theh
e .w
occupation of land in the Southern States for erec-
tion of fortifications, Sic. Laid over for future
consideration. The House proceeded to the con-
sideration yesterday from the
the Committeeof the
of
bal reported
Reconstruction. Mr. Brooks, of
New York, submitted a minority
report, signed by
Kentucky. himself, and Mr. Beck, of After the
report had been read Mr. Boutwell, of Massachu-
setts, asked if the paper just read was a minority.
report ? Mr. Brooks replied affirmatively. Mr.
Brooks, of New York, addressed the House very
briefly, and said this whole bill was got up as a po-
litical measure, for it was intended to give up the
whole power to the General of the army. He
asserted that it Was but an effort to make
fair weather for the General of the army for the
Presidency as
against the Chief Justice of
the United
States. He concluded by con-
tending that the whole bill was -unconstitutional.
Mr. Bingham, of Ohio,
then proceeded to address
the House in support of the bill. Mr. Logan, of
Missouri, addressed
the House in advocacy of the
bill, and said its
introduction was a clear indication
that all previous I
avfs upon this subject had been
inoperative and •
void. The passage of this bill
would, however, redeem the country and restore
the Union. Mr. wood, of New York, claimed the
floor, but yielded to a number of gentlemen to offer
bills, &e. The Speaker
laid before the House a
communication from the General of the army, en-
closing the following telegram from General Meade,
commander of the third military district. The
communication of General Grant is as follows:

Ifeadquartem Armies of the United States,
Washington, Jan. 14, 18G8.

lion. S. Colfax,

Speaker of tho House of Representatives—
Sir, —I have tho honour to inclose herewith copy of a
telegram received from Major-General George G. Meade,
commanding third military district.—Very respectfully,
U. S. GRANT, General, &c.

Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 12, 1863.
General U. S. Grant
Unless the pending 'bill in Congress, directing military
commanders to fill all the offices in the States under their
Tut-nand rescinds the test oath, and provides for the selec-
tion from the qualified voters, I am informe.l its execution
In this district will be entirely impracticable.
GEORGE G. MEADE, MajfflGen.
Mr. Brooks, of New York, asked where that de-
spatch came from ? The Speaker said it was from
the General of the army. Mr. Brooks—What, a
despatch sent here from a military commander to
influence legislation in this House ? Mr. Eldridge
asked whether the despatch came through the
War Department or direct from the General of the

army. The Speaker replied that it came from the
General of the army. Mr. Brooks thought it. a
strange proceeding that the General should thus
communicate with the House. The letter should
have come through the proper channel, which was
the War Department. The communication was re-
ferred to the Committee on Reconstruction, and
ordered to be printed. Mr. Ashley of Ohio, read
an amendment which be proposed to offer to the
pending Reconstruction Bill, and which authorised
the several Conventions now in session in the South-
ern States, to enfranchise such citizens of the United
States as were disfranchised on account of treason,
who may co-operate with loyal men in said States
to restore them to the authority of the United States.
Ordered to be printed. The House then adjourned,
January 15.—The House resumed the considera-
tion of the Reconstruction Bill, upon which Mr.
Wood, of New York, was entitled to the floor. Mr.
Wood, of New York, then proceeded tr address the
House, and was referring to the acts that had
passed Congress since Monday last, among which
he enumerated the Supreme Court Bill, and the bill
that he said had been proposed, and which was cal-
culated to disgrace one of the most honourable offi-
cers of the army by striking his name from the roll
of major-generals, because he was not in accord
with the majority in Congress. After referring to
the action of the Senate in the Stanton matter, Mr.
Wood proceeded to speak to the bill under conside-
ration, and characterized it as a bill without a
name, a child without a parent, a production with-
out an author, a monstrosity, and the most infamous
of all the infamous acts of this infamous Congress.
Mr. Bingham, of Ohio, called the gentleman to
order, and demanded that the words just spoken

be taken down at the clerk's desk as required by the
rules. The rule applicable in din case of words
objected to was read. Mr. Ross, of Illinois—l sug-
gest that the gentleman modify his language by
saying the " so-called" infamous Congress. (Laugh-
ter.) The words objected to, " a monstrosity and

the most infamous act of all the infamous acts of

this infamous Congress" were then read from the
clerk's desk. The Speaker declared the language
out of order, and said under the rules the gentle-
man could not proceed except by unanimous con-
sent. Mr. Bingham—l object to the gentleman
speaking at all unless he takes back those words.
Mr. Kerr, of Indiana, asked if all the
words read were objected to, or only that por-
tion relating immediately to the House. The
Speaker said all, as a member could except to
any words. The gentleman from New York can
have an opportunity to explain if he desires it. Mr.
Wood—Mr. Speaker, I have no explanation to
make. The Speaker—Then the gentleman can
only proceed by consent of the House. The ques-
tion was then put upon allowing Mr. Wood to pro-
ceed, and consent was refused by a viva voce vote.
Mr. Oldridge demanded the yeas and nays. The
House refused its consent by a strict party vote--
yeas 39, nays 108. Messrs. Pruyn, of New York,
and Phelps, of Maryland, who voted yea, asked
leave to explain their votes, but consent n as refused.
As soon as the vote was announced, the Speaker
recognise] a member from Kentucky (Mr. Beck), and
at the same time recognized Mr. Dawes, of Massa-
chusetts, who said he rose to a question of privilege.
Mr. Dawes then offered a resolution that Fernando
Wood, a member of this house from the State of
New York, had this day used in debate on the floor

of the House the following language—(here the

language given above is recited)—and that he de-
serves the censure of this House ; and the Speaker
Is required forthwith to censure him at the bar of
the House. Mr. Holman, of Indiana, made the
point of order that under the rule the resolution was

not in order, as other business had intervened since
the obnoxious words were spoken, the Speaker hay-
ing recognized Mr. Beck, of Kentucky. The
Speaker decided the point not well taken. He had
; recognized the gentleman from Kentucky upon the
reconstruction question, but the gentleman from
Massachusetts had at the same time risen to a point
of order upon this question. Mr. Kerr, of Indiana,
moved to lay the resolution of censure upon the table.
—Not agreed toby a strict party vote—yeas 38, nays
115. Theresolution was then adopted, also by a strict
party vote—yeas 114, nays 38. The Speaker then,
in pursuance of the order of the House, called Mr.
Wood to the bar and -addressed him as follows :
Mr. Fernando Wood,--May's treatise on laws,
privileges, and wages of Parliament, from which we
derive the fundamental principle of our Parliamen-
tary law, in speaking of occurrences like that which
has caused the vote the result of which has just been
announced, thus speaks—"lt is obviously unbe-
coming to permit offensive.. expressions against the
character and conduct of Parliament to be used
without rebuke, for it is not only a contempt of the
high court, but is calculated to degrade the Legis-
lature in the estimation of the people. If directed
against the other House, and passed over without
censure, they would appear to implicate one House
in discourtesy to the other. If against the House
in which the words are spoken, it would be
impossible to overlook the disrespect of one of
its own members. Words of this objectionable
character are never spoken but in anger, and
when called to order the member must see the error
into which he has been misled, and retract or explain
his words and make a satisfactory apology. Should
he fail to satisfy the House in this manner, he will
be punished by reprimand or commitment." Hav-
ing this recognized rule of Parliamentary law, the
House has ordered a censure to be pronounced upon
you by its presiding officer. This duty having been
performed, you will resume your seat. Mr. Wood
then returned to his seat. Mr. Ross, of Illinois,
asked if Mr. Wood could not now proceed with his
remarks, the censure having purged him of his
offence. (Voices on the Republihan side—"Oh, no,"
and laughter.) The Speaker said the House had
determined that he could not proceed, and the only
thing now would be to reconsider the vote. Mr.
Eldridge, of Wisconsin, said he had been pro-
mised one-half of Mr. Wood's time, and he was now
deprived of the opportunity to speak. The Speaker
asked if there was objection to Mr. Eldridge having
half-an-hour of what would have been Mr. Wood's
time. Mr. Garfield objected to giving any part of a
time that had been taken away from a member. Mr.
Boyer, of Pennsylvania, asked if Mr. Wood could
have leave to print the remarks ha had intended to
make ? (Republican side generally—" Oh, no ! that
won't do.") Mr. Beck, Kentucky, then proceeded
to address the House-in opposition to the bill. Mr.
Farnsworth, of Illinois, next obtained the floor, and
said the bill was calculated to secure personal
liberty and freedom of the press and of the jury.
He remarked that he understood why General Han-
cock was so much admired on the other side of this
House, for when he commends himself to the affec-
tions of the rebels down South, he commended him-
self equally to the affections of their rebel brethren
upon this floor. Mr. Mungen, of Ohio, rising to a
question of order, objected to the last remark,
and demanded that the words be taken down
at the clerk's desk. While this was being
done 111 r. Farnsworth remained standing, and
Mr. Ross insisted upon his taking his seat.
After the words had been repeated by the clerk,
the Chair decided them out of order, and said the
gentleman could not proceed with his remarks if
there was objection. Mr. Mungen objected, and
moved a resolution of censure. Mr. Farnsworth
desired to make an explanation of the language
used. Mr. Mungen —I don't want to bear any ex-
planation. By a vote of the house, Mr. Farns-
worth was granted leave to explain. Mr. Farns-
worth said he did not intend any personal applica-
tion to any member on the other side of the House in
the remarks madebv him ; and if they were objection-
able lie would strike out the words " on this floor."
Mr. Ross, of Illinois—lf the gentleman applied his ,
language to the other side of the House, I have no
objection. (Ip.ughter.) Mr. Randall, of Penn-
sylvania, desired to know whether the words
" Rebel brethren on this floor" were withdrawn.
The Speaker—The gentleman strikes out the ,
words " on this floor," leaving the " rebel brethren."
(Laughter.) The words objected to were again
read. Mr. Mungen insisted upon offering his reso-
lution of censure, as he deemed the apology worse
than the insult. Mr. Boutwell moved that Mr.
Farnsworth be allowed to proceed in order. Mr.
Mungen here ordered a resolution that Mr. Farns-
worth be reprimanded by the Speaker for the words

last used by him, as reported by the clerk. Mr.
Washburne, of Illinois, desired to know what were
the words last used, and asked if they were the
words in which he withdrew a portion of what he
bad just said ? Mr. Mungen said the words he meant
Were " rebel brethren on this floor." The resolution
was finally put in proper shape, when, on motion
of Mr. Dawes, it was tabled without a division, and
Mr. Farnsworth was allowed to proceed in order.
Mr. Butler, of Massachusetts, offered an amend-
ment to the bill, • and it was ordered to be printed.
The House then adjourned.
Jan. 16.—After transacting some business, the
House resumed the consideration of the Reconstruc-
tion Bill. Mr. Paine was entitled to the floor,
bid he yielded to Mr. Eliot, of Massachusetts, who
said he had not a doubt of the right of Congress to
pass the bill as it came from the committee, and he
proceeded to argue i❑ favour of the position thus
assumed. On the motion of Mr. Bingham, of Ohio,
it was ordered that the House take a recess at 4.30
until seven o'clock, and that the night session should
be devoted to debate only upon the subject of re-
construction. Mr. Bingham indicated his purpose
of calling the previous question upon this bill to-
morrow, after the morning hour. Mr. Loughridge,
of lowa, then addressed the House upon the pend-
ing bill, and said there were but two questions to be
considered. If the Southern States had Republican
Civil Governments then Congress had no right to
pass this bill, but if there were no such Govern-
ments, then Congress had a clear right, and he pro-
ceeded to argue in favour of the latter proposition.
Mr. Kerr, of Indiana, addressed the House in op-
position to the bill, and said he opposed it be-
cause he believed it was inimical to the best inte-
rests of the country. Mr. Farnsworth, of Illinois,
asked, but failed to obtain, leave to offer a resolution
directing the committee on post-offices and post-
roads to inquire into the expediency of adopting a
postal telegraph system in connection with the post-
office department, and that the committee inquire
also into the expediency of modifying or repealing
altogether the franking privilege. The House at
4.30 took a recess till 7 p.m. Evening Session.--
The House resumed its session at 7 o'clock, and Mr.
Dawes, of Massachusetts, proceeded to address the
House in favour of the Reconstruction Bill.* Mr.
Burr, of Illinois, spoke in opposition to the bill.
Mr. Wood, of New York, argued that the bill un-
der consideration was in perfect accordance with
the Constitution. Speeches were made by Messrs.
Higby, of California, and Niblack, of Indiana, after
which the House adjourned at ten minutes after
ten o'clock.

*THE NEW RECONSTRUCTION BILL.
The bill alluded to is of so important a nature
that we give its provisions in full :
The House Reconstruction Committee held a long meet-
ing on Saturday morning, and after some discussion it was
agreed to report the following bill, which will probably. be
laid before the House to-day:—
Be it enacted, &c., That in Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana,
'Texas, Florida, and Arkansas, that the civil State Go-
vernments, in said States respectively, shall not be reco,g-
nis3d as valid or legal State Governments either by
Executive or judicial power or authority of the United
States.

Sec. 2. BO it further enacted, That for speedy enforce-
ment of the act entitled "An act to provide for more effi-
cient government of Rabel States, passed March 2, 18G7,
and the several acts supplementary thereto," the
General of the army of the United States is hereby
authorised and required to enjoin by special orders
upon all officers in command within the several
military departments within the said States per-
formance of all acts authorized by said several laws above
reeited, and to remove by his order from command any or
all of said commanders, and detail other offices of the
United States army, not below the rank of colonel to per-
form all duties and exercise all powers authorised by said
several acts, to the end that the people of said several
States may speedily reorganize civil governments Repub-
lican in form in said several States, and be restored to
political power in the Union.

Sec. 3. it farther enacted, That the General of the
army is authorised to remove any or all civil officers now
acting under the several Provisional Governments within
said several disorganized States, ana appoint others to dis-
charge the duties pertaining to their respective offices, and
may do any or all acts which by said several laws above
mentioned are authorized to be done by the several com-
manders of military departments within said States;
and so much of said act or of any act as authorizes the
President to detail military commanders to said military
departments, or to remove any officers which may be de-
tailed as herein provided, is hereby repealed.
Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That it shall be unlaw-
ful for tide President of the United States to order any part
of tLe army or navyof the United States to assert by force
3f arms the authority of either of said Provisional Govern-
ments in said disorganized States to oppose or obstruct the
authority of the United States, as provided in this Act, and
the Acts to which this is supplementary.
Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, That any interference by
any person, with intent to prevent by force the execution
of the orders of the General of the army, made in pur-
suance of this Act and. the Acts aforesaid, shall be held to
be a high misdemeanour, and the party guilty thereof shall,
upon conviction, be final not exceeding five thousand
dollars, and imprisoned not exceeding two years.
Sec. G. Be it further enacted. That so much of all Acts
and parts of Acts as conflict or are inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed.