Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-05-26
CONGRESSIO
xXxvIIIrl CON GREss.-rIRsr SESSION
THURSDAY. May &c.

SENATE-Mr. Anthony reported bill to in :
crease the eempensation for reporting and
was taken up. He gave brief history Of the
arrangements from the first sitting of Congress
IN Philadelphia down to the present time under
which debates OF Congress have been pub
hsned The propriety Of having the debates
reported was recognized in 1795. After the re-
moval Of Congress to Washington, an arrange
ment was made with Samuel Harrison Smith,
who started the National Intelligencer, who
engaged with Joseph Gales, a capable steno-
graphical reporter, for the purpose.
It was not till 1888 that the late John G.
reports in the Globe, under contract with
Congress, which had been continued up to
this time, though latteriy at q loss. He said it
was obvious that the publication OF the Globe
ulations, and MI Rives had made the publ.
cation the past few years only because he had
made 1t the pride OF his life; and because, also,
he had an expectation that there would be
some increase hereafter in the compensation.
Mr.. Collamer thought the cost Of the reports
could be lessened much by excluding many
especially in the other House.
The subject was laid over.
Mr.. Morrill,, from the Committee on the Dis.
trict OF Columbia, reported bill for the vision
OF the laws of the District. 1t was ordered to
be printed.
Mr.. Powell submitted the following, which
was also ordered 70 be printed:
RESOLVED, That the conduct Of the exec utive
authority OF the government in recently closing
the Offices and suppressing the publication Of
the World and Journal OF Commerce newspa-
pers in the city Of New York under circum.
stances which have been placed before the
public was an act unwarrantable in itself, dan
gerous to the cause OF the Union, in violation
principles Of civil liberty, and as such is hereby
censured by the Senate.
Mr.. Henderson, from the Committee on the
incorporate the "Home for Friendless Women
and Children" with amendments.
Mr. Wade called up the joint resolution to
amend the charter Of the city Of Washington.
Mr.. Sumner said this was very important
understanding the charter of Washington.
The language Of the resolution was very broad,
covering the whole question of the political
franchise. The person desiring to vote is to
swear that he has been a resident for certain
period, and to certain other things in regard to
registration, and then If he has complied with
ba Of the and
may vote. This Is that tail of slavery remain.
ing here OF which he had before spoken-stiil
preserv wing that disqualification Of color, left to
MS unhapplly by the former slavery in the
National Capitol.
Did the committee who reported the measure
intend to keep alive that odious distinction
The language Of the resolution ought to be made
clear, and leave NO doubt On that subject. He
therefore moved to amend the resolution BY
adding the following:
person from the register on account Of color.
Mr.. w ade said that the committee had only
designed in accordance with the wish Of the
whole people, to do that which was necessary
to get fair election. 1t was not designed
either to widen or narrow the elective fran.
chise, but simply to provide that mere techni-
cality of the old law should not prevent per.
sons having all the substantial qualifications
from voting. The old law as to registration
having been differently construed at different
times, this was the moro necessary. He did
not consider 1t necessary to define his position
on the subject of excluding men from voting
on account of color, but he did not see why that
should be into every bill, this bill was Simply
for the purpose which he had stated.
MIR. Sumner was about to reply, when y
Mr.. Fessenden said as the bill was 10 excite
debate. he should object to its further consid-
Grafton to the exclusion Of the Tax bill.
Mr.. Hendricks did not see the use of any dis.
cussion. He presumed tbs Senate knew wha,
Judgment 10 give on the subject Of negro voting
WashoRs 1ur,ner elaboration.