The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-21
7 II e N e w S /.
CONGRESS.

I n ( N & w s.
~~~
CONGRESS-
In the Senate yesterday petitions presented by
Mr. Sumner from tho Rev Dr. Cheever and from citizens
OF New York, Massachusetts, Ohio Indiana, Missouri,
Kentucky Illinois and New Jersey for the appointment
OF provisional governors for the lately rcbeous States
and the equality before the law Of all their in
habitants The petitions referred to the Committee
OF Fifteen on the Southern States numerousy signed
petition asking land grants for soldiers also pre-
scented The House bill to pay tho widow OF President
Lincoln twenty-five thousand dollars passed The
bill granting the elective franchs coored In the
District OF Columbia reported favorably from COM
mttee, with amendment requiring the elector to be
ablo and write, and then after short de-
bate. laid The bill 10 maintain the freedom
OF the negroes the Southern States multiplying all State
laws making distinctions Of civil rights account Of
color called up when Mr. Sumner took occasion to
again aude to the Presidents Message the condition
OF the South presented the previous day, at
tempt whitewash affairs in that section, and read
tracts from newspapers and letters to show that the
Southern people still strongly dsloya and that they
constantly perpeatng the grossot cruecs and out
RACES the freedmen. He replied TO by Messrs.
Cowan, Of Pennsylvania. and salisbury Of Delaware,
the latter Of whom think no could dimly dis
csrn, through the rift caused by the fracture in the
publican party, pleasing apparton of the democracy
restored power in the future Further consideration
Of the bill postponed till to-day The death of Mr.
Kellogg, late member Of the House from New York,
announced, and q eulogy the deceased was pro-
nounced by Senator Haris after which the Senate ad
journed
Tin the House Of Representatives resolution congrau
laag country ratification of tho antislavery
constitutional amendment offered and referred to
the Committee Reconstruction. Mr. Broomail asked
tc introduce resolution which objected TO- declar
ing that Congress should not restore their
political privileges latcly rebeous populations until
they shall have given proper guarantees for tho procc
ton Of the rights Of the freedmen. Bills passed
authorizing the Secretary tho Treasury to make tho ep
pontments of assistant Of internal and
establishing certain post routes Tho Secretary Of War
was requested TO furnish report OF the proceedings OF
Che court martial which tried and convicted Congressman
Harris, OF Maryland, Of aiding the rebels There
WAS considerable debate . proposed amend
naent 70 the rules TO make tho Globe newspaper
reporters or the proceedings officers OF the House,
subject 70 appointmcnSland removal by tho Speaker
The finally referred 10 the Judiciary Commit
tee TO report any relations In the way Of . contract
for publishing the reports exist between tho House and
the Glo,s proprietors The credentials Of Mr.. Kyle,
elected Representative from Arkansas presented
and referred 10 the Reconstruction Committee WAS
also an application OF Judge Yarmouth be admitted
as delegate from tho Territory of louisiana" Mr.
Fhaddeus Stevens introduced bill TO double the pen
sons Of Union soldiers and to pay them well loyal
citizens who suffered damages from the rebel govern
mont and RAIDERS out Of conscaons Of the property Of
rebels which, aor colloquy between Mr. stevens and
Mr. Brooks referred TO the Committee Of the Whole
Bills wers introduced limit the liability Of ship
owners aud establish court for the Northern District
Of Pennsylvania series OF resolutions, which were
ordered DO printed and laid the table, were intro
duced by Mr.. Lawrence, OF Ohio, declaring that JEFF
Davis the other principal leaders OF tho rebellion, and
all those suspected Of completely in the assassination of
President Lincoln should have early trials and, con
voted, should suffer the penalty Of thor crnios On
motion Of Mr. Stevens, General Howard Commissioner
Of the Freedmens Bureau requested TO inform the
House any lands OF rebels set apart for the freedmen
have been restored TO their former owners and II So
for whsl reason. message was received from the
President enclosing statement OF the Secretary OF State
relative 70 the projected Paris Universal Exhibition The
death Of Mr. Kellogg was announced and after appro.
pirate remarks OF members the House adjourned
Both houses Of Congress have agreed a from
to-day un,l the 5h OF January
In response to the resolution OF the House Of Repre-
OF MAMMALIAN establishing pconage In Mexico Secretary
sewsrdas furnished an opinion OF Attorney General
Speed and accompanying correspondence, which
are now In the hands Of the Foreign Az.
fairs Committee. Tho opinion Of the Attorney
General that the result OF tho decree alluded TO- IL
should become cHectual, would be 10 establish a
system Of slavery In Mexico. Mr.. Seward some time
ago forwarded copy OF this opinion with other relevant
matter to Mr.. Bgcow, Minister In Paris requesting
him 10 cali the attention OF the French Foreign Affairs
Minister 10 the subject which he did bat there has yet
been no reply thereto from the French government
The Secretary Of the Treasury reply to the sena,os
inquiry by resolution adopted the 18th inst whether
any employees OF the Treasury Department who
have not taken the prescribed oath whose positions
are no, provided for by law responds that there
none Of the latter class, but admits that there
are some Of the former The appointment Of
these he explains, necessitated by the
impossblty in certain portions OF the States lately in
rebellion 70 find persons properly qualified to oil the
necessary Offices who could oonsciontiousy take said
oath Those persons appointed he says under the
presumption that Congress would modify tho OATH and
he thinks Immediate action the matter necessary,
none Of these employees have yet received any recon.
psuse for their services
MIsCELLANEOUS.
me war Department has lust issued an order muster
i,g out Of the volunteer service thirty three additional
regiments Of white and coorcd infantry, cavalry and srt
asvy Of the various military departments their services
being no longer required.
Eater South and Central American news Of interest Ia
Furnished Panama and Callao letters by The steam
ship Henry Chaunccy, which arrived here yesterday,
from Aspinwa on the 18th inst The Chauncey brought
20 this port eight hundred and eighty nve thousand