The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1865-12-16
CONGRESS.

possessid IN of the radicals, the proceedings
open and close with the negro, in whose be-
half meas ures of every conceivable kind are
proposed In the Senate, Mr.. Wilson presen-.
ted petition from 2D0) negroes ,7of the Dis
trict OF Columbia. asking to be admitted TO
the. right Of suffrage; and Mr. Sumner a
memorial to give congressional aid to the
Frecdmc his Commission.
In the House Mr. Patterson introduced
bill to snnul all distinctions on account OF
color in he District of Columbia and other
territories; Mr.. Delano intro luced resolu
ton to amend the constitution SO as to secure
to negroes protection ''in the rightful pursuit
o. happiness" Mr.. Stevens proposed like
resolution so to amend the constitution as to
allow no state to pass laws recognising any
distinction on account of color; and Mr..
Julian bill TO allow negroes to vote in the
District of Columbia. As secondary TO the
negro, the Mexican question received atteh-
ton. Mr.. Wad. Introduced a series of res
olutions, protesting against the establishment
of monarchy on this continent by Europ
can bayonets and insiructng the President
to take "such steps in this grave matter as
will iniicate the recognised policy Of our gov
ernment;" aad in the house similar resolu-
tons, but more pointed IN language, were
proposed by Mr.. Van Horn. A ere.olu,ion
WAS adopted calling on the President for al
correspondence in his possession calculated
to th:ow any light on the present condition
Of affairs in Mexico. Aside from the negro
and Mexico, the only notable business to day
was the passage of bill in the house, pre-
scented by Mr.. Wentworth, prohibiting the
importation of cattle from Europe. The house
standing committees were announced. Morrill,
OF VT, Is at the head OF the ways and means
committee, in place of Stevens Banks has
fore IN affairs Moreheaa, Of Pa, manuiac-
lures and Stevens Appropriations. The only
committee on which we notice the name o!
''orr member" Mr. Cook, is the judiciary.
Dee. I'm the senate Mr.. Davis % Ky.
offered resolution to dec air the wri, Of
hate1s corpus Restored in every state in the
strucrion resolution which was passed b. the
house on the first dag of the session, - refer
the matter OF ihs admission of soEtherI
members to a committee oil -, wa. 50 amend
ed as 10 IN AXE it concurrent Instead of "a
joint res button, to svold the danger vi - pres
idential veto, as the Presidents approval is
cot nee led to ''concurTent" resolution /; and
furthur BY emitting the clause that, until TIE
- ---r -, .----.---- -----.-..
should he admitted. These amendments had
been agteed upon IN the republican caucus
on Satut lay night, Thus an ended, the res
oution passed, Dixon, Co~hn and Doolittie
voting with the Democrats against it.
In the House, the credentials ofthe represent.
atires elect from Tennessee were presented.
Mr. Stevens objected that the state Of
Tennessee was not known TO the house. The
speaker overrul"d the objection. the creden-
tials we're received and referred to the select
committee OF fifteen, the members elect from
Tenn. being invited in the meantime, to take
seats within the bar of the house The house
refused TO entertain resolution approving
tbe presidents reconstruction policy.
Dec. BIN the Senate. Wentworhs house
bill. prohibiting the importation of cattle,
wa, taken up aad passed.. So the resolution
OF Mr.. SUmncr, enqn,rug whether any dis,oy>
al persons were employed in the Treasury
department. Mr.. Wilson's bill, "to MAINTAIN.
the freedom OF the inhabitants of the rebel
. ,tes," was taken up and discussed. The
bill simply proposes to repeal all laws of the
rebel states which recognise, in any shape or
form, any distinction on account of color
The bill! was approved by johnson, Cowan,
Sherman, snd others, on the ground that,
until demonstrations amendment was adopt
ed, congress had no right to interfere with
| such laws of the southern states. If those
states were out Of the Union, contended Mr
johnson, the constitutions! amen I'm ent has
certainly not yet been adopted by the requis-
tie three fourths Of the sta.es; and if MT out
Of the Union, as he cpntended they were not,
congress had no right to repeal the laws OF
states 10 the union. The senate adjourned
With yut CO mining to q vote.
\
In the no ise the only business done was
to concur in the senate amendments to the
resolution raising = joint committee of fifteen
| on reconstruction.
| Dec. lin the Senateirquiry was direct,
ed to be made as to the expendiency ofadopt-
ing the 8 hour system tor government labor
| The de 9TH of Senator Collamer, of VT, was
announ ced and the session spent in euiogi-s:of
tie edeased. In the house the speaker
| ,nnoun ced the committee of IS on 'R econ
structio a. Thaddens Stevens is chairman,
Washburn is on the committee from Illinois.
A resolution was adopted to adjourn from
next Thursday to Jan. oh. $4,000 we're ap
propriatcd to refurnish the Presidents house.
and sl5,000,0oo to pay invalid pensions.
Il resolution was adopted unanimously declar
ing treason crime that ought to be punished
Also that no representatives, from rebel a:es
shall be admitted until congress shall declare
such states entitled to representatives. The
death of Mr.. Morrill, was ANNOUNCED, and the
balar ce OF the days session spent il. eulogies.
TEMPERANCE FEsrIvAL.-The Sons of TEN
perance. an order which seems to be in very
furnishing condition in this city at present,
had festival at Washington Hall on Thur
day evening, which proved adecided success.
There was an oyster supper, music, &c.
We understand over $l0) were realized az
profits, which are to be appropriated in pay
ment of cabinet organ for the use OF the
order.
The dance which took place after the fes-
tival, we are requested to say, was an after