Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1865-12-21

SENATE
WASHINGTON, Dec. %.
BALTIMORE FRIENDS AND THE FREEDMEN.
Mr.. Wade presented memorial from the Society
of Friends, adopted at meeting recently held In
Baltimore asking some legislation the part Of
Congress to remedy the evils of the freedmen in the
South Referred to the Committee on Freedmen.
RELIEF OF MRS LINCOLN.
Mr.. Lane, Of Kansas, moyed to take up the House
bill for the relief of Mrs. Mary Lincoln, which
Mr. Foote moved to amend by inserting the words
for the current year. after President OF the United
States, in the bill which was adopted,
The bill rs amended was then passed.
Itprovides for the payment of $4,000 to thewidow
LANDS FOR SOLDIERS.
Mr.. Sherman presented the petition of number
of citizens, asking the grant of lands to the United
States soldiers who served in the late war Referred
TO the Committee on Public Lands.
PROTECTION TO FREEDMEN.
Mr. Sumner presented petitions of citizens of Mas
saehusctts New ork, Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio and
Illinois, asking legislation of Congress to protect the
freedmen in the States recently in rebellion, and
praying universal suffrage. Referred to the special
committee of fifteen.
BASIS OF REPRESENTATION IN REBEL STATES.
Mr.. Sumner presented 4 petition from DR.. Cheeycr,
aud Others, asking that no State lately in rebellion
may be allowed representation except upon a gene
raj basis. without distinction OF color and asking
amendment to the Constitution to secure to the freed
men the right of suffrage. Referred to the select
committee OF fifteen.
ELECTIVE FRANCHISE IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Mr.. Morrill,. from the Committee on the District of
Columbia, reported back the bill to regulate the
elective franchise in the District of Columbia, with
amendment.
years Imprisonment for the rejection of any vote
account of color, and provides that person shall
be allowed the right OF suffrage unless able to read
Mr. sumner asked thegentleman when he proposed
to consider the bill?
Mr.. Monill-At an early day. but not before the
Temporary adj, NuInment.
Mr. Su:aner-l I'm glad to hear the gentleman say
% IT od for r of Hoi in the inc
Mr.. Davis-I call the gentleman TO order, as there
is bill before the Senate for debate sustained
HOLIDAY RECESS.
Mr.. Cresswell moved to take up the House resolu-
ton of adjournment, which agreed to. lie then
moved that the Senate recede from its amendments
the resolution; upon which the yeas and nays were
called and the motion was lost by vote OF IL ayes to
Mr. Toote moved that the Senate insist upon the
amendments. and committee OF conference be ap-
pointed. Agreed 10.
FREEDOM OF IYHABITANTs OF REBELLIoUs STATES.
MIR. Wilson moved to take up Senate bill to main
tain the freedom of the inhabitants of States lately i'll
rebellion, and to refer the resolution to the Committee
Mr. Sumner said when he thought upon what trans
PRED in the chamber yeSterday-an attempt white
wash the rebelOus States-hc ought to speak of no
thing else to-day. He remembered, many years age,
when small number of people were surrendered 10
the Lharshas of slavery and the action ''whitewash
cd by the then President Of the United States. Now
corning the states recently in rebellion lie alluded
to the proclamation Of the Emperor of Russia upon
the occasion of the aboshment of slavery in his do
niniOns, and the acknowledgment of the entire serf
population in that empire. and contrasted them TO
the slaves Ofths country OF few years ago. He also
alluded to the West Indies; proceeded to explain
the object of the bill how it intended to benefit
the freedman and secure to him the right Of citizen
ship and place him upon an equality with other cit
liens politically and otherwise. He advocated the
bill at some length and hoped itwould be acted upon
Immediately.
lie dwelt upon the condition Of the States recently
in ebeon, and read letters from friends Of his in the
Sout, informing him that Wade Hampton and r. L.
Lee were regarded as the most popular men in the
country the Southern people but that they prefer
Andrew johnson for President to General Lee; that
the feeling oh the part Of the former masters of the
freedmen is mos yindctvc to the colored people of
that section, and predicting that IN i've years they
former, God help New Elgland that the attempts
the part of the rebel communities to break down
the progressing that protestatons of loyalty
may be heard upon every side but when once they
they will pour out the walls of their wrath upon The
heads of their opponents; that is not safe for one 10
hatred towards the Union men, both white and
black, than there one year ago; that
the cruetes practse9 upon the freedmen are OF every
conceivable shape, and horrible to contemplate;
mentioning instances of whipping, and branding by
magistrates and murder by outlaws OF the unpro
tected freedmen of the South, and stating that there
Is utter contempt expressed Tor the laws OF the
Government, and perfect disregard Of all authority
throughout all the Southern States. lie further pre-
dicted that unless these cTueteS cease theg will goad
the freedmen to that point when patience ceases
be virtue, and an Instruction Will consequently
Mr. Salisbury said he would not be guilty of the
indiscretion OF entering into discussion at this time
but he felt constrained to that it evidently
fact from the speeches that had been made both in
tic House and in this chamber that there was de-
eided antagonsm between Mr.. johnson, President Of
the United States and the party that elected him.
lie therefore moved the reference Of the bill to the
judiciary Committee.
Mr. Cowan said he was not disposed to allow Mr..
Summers speech TO be promulgated TO the country
without reply. stating that the gentleman had read
several anonymous letters from friends in the South.
probably cotton agents cotton steaers who circu
Lated IN limited section and communicates that the
people set Of hypocrites. He was in favor of
reconciliation, not .! suhection. he then dwelt
upon the assertion Of whitewashing," saying that
word; but. he understood it, it meant that the
President in an official message to the Senate Of the
United States lied-that is the plain English ofit.'
HI read extracts from the Presidents message re
iuting the assertions of Mr.. Sumner that the South
ern States were in state of disorder aud turmoil
regardless of law and government. HI enqEired if
they were to accept laws from those who hated tho
and sight of the Southern people, and who had
made this personal war; or from those who had
conducted the conflict in spirit of lenency with
view to reconstruction?
Mr. Trumbull, from the committee of conference
on adjournment, reported the following
adjourn on Thursday the list inst, it be to meet
again on Friday the 9Th of January, 1866. which
adopted.
ANSWER TO RESOLUTION OF INQUIRY.
communication was received from the Secretary
of the Treasury in reply 20 the resolution of inquiry
as to whether there were any persons employed in
that department who had never taken the oath. He
replied that there were such persons employed but
with one exception none had been paid. That in
were capable who had not held position under the
government IN the South and that il became neces-
sary, to enforce the revenue laws and collect the
TOMS to appoint such men for the time being.
PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENTS.
Mr.. SIMMER presented petition of citizens of Mis-
souri, praying that measures be taken to provide
provisional governments for the States lately in
belion and as security for the future to exact ire
versible guarantees cmong which should the unity
and sovereignty of the States. Eniranchisement and
SqIaty before the laws s on IhG @
tranquility by impartial suffrage Referred to select
committee of fifteen.
DEATH OF HON. MR.. KELLOGG, OF NEW YORK.
Mr.. Harris announced the death of the Hon. Elr
Kellogg member elect to the House OF Representa-
tves from New York, and offered resolution ex-
the usual marks Of respect to the memory Of the de-
ceased and that the Senate do now adjourn. Adopted
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
APPOINTMENT OF ASSISTANT ASSESS ORs.
MIR. Aorrill, from the Committee on Ways and
Means. reported bill authorizing the Secretary of
the Treasury to appoint Assistant Assessors of the
Internal Revenue Passed.
THE HARRIS COURT MARTIAL RECORD.
Mr. Dawes reported from the Committee on Elec
lions resolution instrneting the Secretary of War
to communicate 70 this House the record of the court
martial before which Benjan in G. Harris, member
of this body from the State Of Maryland was tried.
lion included the testimony in the case, and if not, he
moved to amend by inserting the word testimony
Mr. Dawes accepted tie amendment and the zeso-
luton passed.
OFFICIAL REPORTERS.
Mr.. Banks, of Mass. introduced resolution from
the Committee Rules that the official reporters OF
clared officers of the house. and the appointment and
removal of such reporters shall be subject to order
from the Speaker.
Mr. Hale, of New York, thought this question in
vowed personal and private rights between employer
and employee, and should not be considered with dis
paSsio nate Judgment.
Mr.. B1nks said it did not effect any relations be
tween the House and the proprietor OF the Globe but
it only asserted the rights of this House He moved
the previous question, which was disagreed to-ayes
50, nays II.
On motion of Mr. Hale, the subject was sent to the
Committee the Jul iciary to inquire whether any
contract exists between the House and the publishers
of the Globe
REPRESENTATIVE FEGN ARKANSAS.
Mr.. RAYMOND, of New York, presented the creden-
tais OF u. IL. kijat, member elect from the State of
fhn ntiInn e tnrrnr md