The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1865-12-22
Destructive Fire in St. Louis
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 81, 1855.
SENATE


On motion of Mr.. Howard. the Presi-
dent was asked to report to the Senate
upon what ground JEFF. Davis was con-
fined, and why he was not brought to
The Chair appointed the following
Committee on Reconstruction:
MesSrs. Fessenden, Grimes, Harris.
Howard, johnson and Williams.
Mr.. Sumner presented q petition of
colored citizens of Tennessee, asking
Congress not to receive the delegation
rom Tennessee till the State recognized
the rights of the colored citizens. Also
petition of white citizens of the Dis
trict of Columbia, for the extension of
the right of suffrage to the colored peo-
pie.
Mr.. Howard presented a petition of
300 colored citizens of South Carolina,
for such legislation as will insure them
their political rights. Reported to the
Committee on Reconstruction.
Mr.. Davis offered resolution calling
on the heads of departments for list
of persons indebted to the United States.
Objected to and laid over.
On motion of Mr.. Lane, the Commit
tee on Post Offices were instructed to
inquire into the expediency of abolish
ing the ranking privilege, except upon
written communications.
Mr.. Wilson introduced asbill, which
tee, to maintain and inforce the free
dom of the inhabitants of the United
States.
Mr.. Stewart called up the Senate bill
to secure the freedom of citizens of
States lately in rebellion, and addressed
the Senate in reply to Mr.. Summers
remarks of yesterday, controverting
the theory that Southern States are
out of the Union and been reduced to a
territorial condition. He also urged
that the North was not justified in
forcing negro suffrage upon the South
while they withheld political rights
from negroes in the Northern States.
Mr.. Wilson replied at length in favor
Mr.. Hubbard, OF Conn.,, offered a
resolution that the government of the
United States ought never to recognize
any government imposed upon any
nation on the continent by the aims Of
any European Power. Referred to the
Committee of Foreign Affairs.
Mr.. Voorhees,, of Ind, offered a reso-
luton endorsing the Presidents annual
message and asking the support of the
House to the principles enunciated. On
his motion 1t was postponed till the 9th
of January.
ton directing inquiry to be made into
the expediency of admitting delegate
70 Congress to represent the District of
Columbia.
Numerous resolutions of inquiry
were passed.
The House went into Committee of
the Whole on the Presidents annual
message.
Mr.. Fink, of Ohio. made a speech
controverting Mr.. Stevens position.
and denying that the Southern States
were ever out of the Union, and urging
the admission of Representatives from
that section, SO as to secure a restora-
ton of the friendly political relations
Mr.. Raymond, of New York, was
glad to see the indication on the oppose
ton side of the House to support the
Union. If these indications had been
exhibited during the war, we should
have been spared the loss of thousands
OF men and the expenditures of rivers of
blood andItreasure.
Mr.. Raymond said that the ordinance
of secession was simply declaration
of purpose and a determination to
succeed. Whether practical effect could
be given to the purpose depended on
their ability in the field. The effect was
not success but a failure. Who did
not wish that the day might speedily
come when we shall have a great re-
public-one and indiVisible; stronger
than has ever been before2 He contro-
verted at length the position of Mr..
Stevens, of Pa, denying that the States
lately in rebellion were eyer out of the
Union. AT the conclusion of Mr.. Ray
mond's speech
Mr.. jerks, of Rhode Island, said he
did not wish to be compromised by any
speech here when no question was pre-
scented for their consideration. The
Committee then rose when the resolu-
tons referring to the various branches
Of the Presidents message were passed.
The House then adjourned.