Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-12-15
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.

MI wilson presented the petition OF $500
colored men Of the District of Columbia,
asking the right of suffrage. The Commit
tee to act with that of the House in reference
to the death of President Lincoln was ap-
pointed The Sisters of Mercy of Chicago
petitioned for an appropriation for the en-
largement of the Mercy Hospital in Chicago.
The North Carolina Legislature memoralized
for the repeal of the test oath. The National
Frecdmen's Commission asked for Congress.
sional support. The Union State Central
Committee of Pennsylvania asked for an
amendment to the Constitution prohibiting
the payment of the rebel debt; that Congress
shall never repudiate any part of the national
debt; that Congress shall have power to levy
and collect duties on exports; that Represen-
tatives in the lower House shall be based up
on the number of qualified voters in each
State, and that no State shall ever be per-
mitted to withdraw from the Onion A bill
giving consent to the annexation of the
counties of Berkeley and Jefferson, of the
State of Virginia, to the State of West Vir-
ginia, was introduced and referred TO the
Committee on Territories. Mr. Wilson in
troduced bill to prevent the sale of eonied-
crate bonds or currency. Mr. Morgan,
bill to increase to twenty dollars the pensions
of such pensioners as may have lost both
feet in the service, Mr.. Sumner, a bill to
confirm the titles to the Sea Islands and 9th
er lands in Georgia and Florida granted by
General Sherman. Mr.. Nye gave notice of
a bill to change the eastern boundary of Ne
vada. Mr.. Stewart, of California, intro
duced bill to establish mining bureau
Mr.. Wade introduced preamble and resou-
tions declaring that Congress contemplates
the present condition of affairs in Mexico
with profound soicitude that the attempt
to subjugate republican government on
this continent by European Power is op-
posed TO the declared policy of the United
States government, offensive to our people,
and contrary to the spirit of our institutions,
and requesting that the President take such
steps as will indicate the recognized policy
and protect the honor and interests of our
government BY resolution the President
was requested to furnish all correspondence
relative to Mexico. The resolution relative
to certain employees OF the Treasury Depart
ment not having taken the requisite oath
was called up, and pending its consideration,
the Senate adjourned.
In the House of Representatives, Mr..
Blaine, of Maine, introduced a resolution
reimbursing the loyal States for the advances
of money made, and the debts contracted
for the preservation of the Union. Mr..
Eliot, of Massachusetts, a joint resolution
declaring the condition OF the States recently
in rebellion, and the position of Congress in
relation TO them. Mr.. Jenckes, joint reso
luton proposing that the President and Vice
, President shall be elected by direct vote o
the people. Mr.. Ward, a bill granting
e bounty land and money to United State
G soldiers who served during the rebellion
t Mr.. Stevens, Joint resolution proposing al
e amendment to the Constitution Of the United
States, that all national and State laws shal
be equally applicable to every citizen, with
out distinction Of color. Mr. Garfield, a bill
= to facilitate commercial, postal and militar
u communication among the several States.-
/ Mr.. Schenck, a joint resolution declarin,
> against the attempt to establish monarch,
d in Mexico, and requesting the President /
y take such steps as will vindicate the Amer
= can policy, and protect the honor and intt
II rests of the United States. Referred to tn
= Committee on Foreign Affairs Mr. Jencke,
bill to establish a uniform system of banl
:, ruptcy. Mr.. Wentworth, bill prohibitin
? the importation of cattle from foreign coul
= tries, in order to prevent the spread of tn
~ disease Passed. Mr. Van Horn of Mi,
y souri,, offered resolution instructing III
u Committee on Foreign Relations to inquir
what measures and means arc necessary o
the part of the United States to restore
y Mexico the free and unrestricted right to
" republican government. The "previol
- question on the resolution was not secont
II ed, and so it lies over. The Speaker the
10 announced the Standing Committees. III
p Committee on Military Affairs was instruete
y to inquire into the expedicncy of re-estal
y fishing the Harpers Ferry armory. Res
~ lutions requesting the President TO furnis
information relative to the present state
affairs in Mexico, and also in reference
the decree OF Maximiian re-establishir
-, slavery in Mexico, were adopted. TT
Committee on Commerce was instructed
!, report what legislation is necessary to pr
\ tect persons travelling on railroads in ii
United States. A suspension of the rul
! for the consideration of resolution gran
~ ing the privileges of the floor to persoi
elected from the southern States, was refus,
,s by vote of 40 yeas to Ill nays. Adjour
u ed.
l9 =, In the United States Senate on Tuesda
petitions were presented for equal bounti
- to soldiers who enlisted early to those su
a le sequently given, and for high tariff on ii
~. ported goods, to protect domestic manufa
N' turers; bill giving the right 10 construct
telegraph line from New York to the We
Indies. A resolution restoring the writ
= habeas corpus was introduced The Hou
he resolution for joint committee on rebellio
Oh States was considered, and caused a length
debate. A number of amendments we
Of, offered; some were adopted and others 7
nd jecled As amended the resolution W
IT. finally adopted. Mr. Cowan's resolutio
r. calling upon the President for informatit
at as to whether the rebellion has been su
nut pressed, the post-ofilces re-cstablished, &,
i'll was amended so as to include the reports