Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-12-28
ssTH ooNGREss--isT SESSION
wAsHIsaroS, Dee. 20,
SENATE.

SENATE.
A bill for the payment of twenty-five
thousand dollars to the widow Of Presi-
dent Lincoln was passed,
A bill was reported removing the dis.
tinctions of color from the elective
franchise in the District OF Columbia,
Tha Senate refused to recede from its
action as to the recess and appointed Il
conference committee
The bill to maintain the freedom of
the inhabitants in the states .ately in
rebellion was taken up, Mr., Sawyer
favored it,
NJ. Sumner said that when he thought
of what occurred in this chamber yes
terday in the attempt to whitewash the
unhoppy condition of the rebe. states,
he felt that he ought to speak Of moth
ing else to day. lie proceeded 20 speak
of the right of Congress to pass the bill,
and read number of letters from the
Southern States, private and public to
show that the spirit Of rebellion still
existed there, and that the rights of the
freedmen were being disregarded in all
the Southern States.
~
for the appointment of Provisional Gov
errors over the states lately in rebellion
waf presented and referred to the com
mittee on reconstruction.
Mr.. COwan responded to Mr.. Sumner
defending the President from the white
washing charge.
HOUSE.
A resolution COngratulating the cOun-
try on the adoption Of the anti-slavery
amendment to the constitution was Of
fefed, and referred to the reconstruction
committee.
A bill authorizing the appointment of
an assistant assessor Of internal revenue
was passed.
A bill to pay for damages to the prop
erty of Union people by the rebels was
referred to the committee Of the whole.
A resolstion that JEFF. Davis should
be tried and punished for treason and
inhumanity to starved prisoners was
ordered printed.
Mr.. Banks reported an amendment to
the rules, recognizing reporters of Off
cial proceedings as officers of the House.
Referred to judiciary committee.
The clerk of the House of Representa-
tives has received certificates of election
of Southern members only from North
Carolina, Louisiana 4, Mississippi .,
Tennessee :, Virginia 6. Some of these
have been referred to the select commit,
tee, and also one certificate from Ar
kansas.
A conference resolution to adjourn to.
morrow till January 5th was conquered
in.
Mr.. Alley reported a bill to establish
certainapost routes and it was passed.
Mr.. Elliott introduced a bill to limit
the liability Of ship owners concerning
maritime news and for other purposes
Referred to committee on commerce.
Mr.. Stevens presented the petition o.
Judge Yarmouth, asking to be admit.
ted as delegate from the Territory Of
Louisiana, purporting to be signed by
$4,000 voters. Referred to committee or
reconstruction.
The House passed the Senate joint
resolution, advising the President to di,
vert certain bonds, heretofore otherwise
appropriated, for tho immediate susten.
ance Of destitute Indians and Indian
tribes.
On motion of Mr.. Stevens, it was
Reslged, That the superintendent Of
the freedman's bureau, Maj. Gen. How
ard, be directed to inform the House
whether any real estate seized under the
act of July 18th, 1862, as enemy's prop
erty, and the title of which, by tina
act, was vested in the United States, haC
been assigned or allotted to freedmen
for residence and homestead by orde
of any department Of government an(
if so, whether to the rebel owners, ant
the people of color ordered off, and b,
whose authority; and also whethe
abandoned plantations had been thu
occupied and thus restored; and,
known to said superintendent of tn
freedmen's bureau, to state under wha
pretence Of authority the property one
vested in the United States under tn
confscation Of enemy's, not as traitor;
property, was thus taken from the Unit
ed States and bestowed to conquere
enemies.
The Speaker laid before the House
message from the President, enclosin
the report of the Secretary Of State i
relation to the universal exhibition t
be held in Paris in 1867, and in whic
the United States are invited by tn
Government Of France to take part
The subject is commended TO the earl
and favorable consideration Of Cor
gress.
Mr. Raymond presented the certifcat
Of election of Mr.. Kyle Of Arkansas
Referred to committee on reconstruC
ton.
The death OF Mr.. Kellogg OF Ney
York was announced, and the Customar
eulogies and resolutions were passed an
the House adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Dec. q.
On motion Of Mr.. Howard the Pres
dent was asked to report to the Senat
upon what grounds jeff Davis was COZ
fined, and why he was not brought
| trial.
The chair announced the followin
committee on reconstruction: Messrt
Fessenden, Grimes, Harris, Howard
Johnson and Williams.
| al