Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1865-12-05
CONGRESS- AND 1EGEshATURE.

RCD out TO the leCter, ana thOuSn strongly
protested against, the House was organized
upon thoroughly radical and Abolition prin-
ciples, disregarding all sense of equality or
right.
The old officers of the Senate and House
were reelected, aud the Presidents Message,
which We had hoped to lay before our read
eEs this week, was not sent in until Tuesday.
We have purposely kept our paper back, to
present CUR readers with the proceedings at
Washington and Richmond on Monday, which,
we herewith append:-
Proceedings Of Congress.
WASHINGTON, MONDAY, DEC. 4, 1865.
SENATE.-Thc Senate met at noon to-day,
forty-tour Senators being present.
Dir. Wade presented bill to regulate the
franchise in the District Of Columbia. The
bill grants the right ofsutfrage to every male
negro twenty-onc years ofage, who has resided
in the District for six mouths, and prescpibes
unusual pains and penalties to be Inflicted
upon any one who shall disturb or interfere
with such voter in the exercise Of his rights.
Mr.. Sumner introduced the following bills:
y bill providing that neither race nor col
or shall be a bar to the exercise Of the right
ofsGiirage in the District of Columbia, where
the person is otherwise qualified to VOTE
This bill also provides extraordinary pains
and penalties for refusing to accept negro
votes, and prcscribcs that if the case be
brought to trial one half the jurors shall be
culOrcd men.
The second bill introduced by Mr.. Sumner,
provides that where IN 1859 one-sixth or more
OF the population WAS Of African descent, The
negroes Shall compose one half OF the grand
and petit jurics where Il negro is concerned in
the matter t" lie tried.
The third bill pruscribes a new oath of al
lcgiance, which not only binds the party to
maintain Il R~cpubliean form Of government
in the State in which the party is resldent
and in the United States, but also obligatecs
the swcarcr to resist any attempt torepudiAte
or postpone the payment of the public debt,
and to d:scountenance amy laws making any
distinction of ccicr or race.
The fourth bill is designed to enforce the
Constitutional amendment 10y furnishing amy
attempt to control the services Of any person
contrary to the provisions against 1t. The
PENALTY for so doing IS Il tinc which is not to
exceed a thousand dollars, or Imprisonment
for ten years, or both fine and imprisonment
at the discretion Of the Court.
y JOINT resolution was also introduced by
Dir. Sumner to amend the Constitution so as
to make voters, instead Of population, the bu-
sis of representation in Congress. Alter the
introduction Of other bills of Il minor char
actor, bat OF equally radical tendencies, Mr..
Wilson introduced Il bill to maintain the
freedom OF the inhabitants Of the States for
mer!y in instruction, under the emancipa-
ton proclamation Of July. 1862.
House OF REpRESENTATIV After the
House had been called to order by the Clerk,
lI5 members responding to their names, a
motion was made to 90 into an election for
Speaker, butpendIngt the question, Mr.. Brooks
Of New York, arose ard protested against the
action of Congress in refusing to admit to
their seats the representatives from Tcnnes-
see and other States, and also demanded to
know the reason Of the arbitrary rulc adopted
by the Clerk. After several calls to order,
Mir. Brooks proceeded with his remarks, but
was frequently interrupted, and finally yield
cd the floor to admit Of the nomination for
Speaker. Mr.. Colfax, the former Speaker
OF the House, was then put in nomination,
and also Mr.. Brooks. One hundred and
thirty-uiue votes We're cast for Mr.. ColfnX,
and thirty~five for Mr.. Brooks-eighty.cight
being necessary to a choice. Mr.. CoItax be-
ing declared duly elected took his seat, and
after the customary address, the old officers
Of the House were nominated and promptly
chosen.
y joint committee was appointed to wait
on the President and notify him that the
House was organized, after which EIr. Ste
VEINS introduced a resolution, which was pass
cd by Il vote Of one hundred and thirty-tkrce
to thirty-siX, calling for the appointment of
Il joint committee of fifteen MISUNDERSTANDING
OF the House and six OF the Scnatc-to in
quire Int, the condition OF the late Confed-
crate States, and report whether they or any
% them are entitled to Ic represented in
either House OF Congress. y resolution was
offered giving the privilege Of the floor to
the re representatives. Of States formerly in in
suyGecsio9, but it WIS voted down.
Mr. Sc!cuck introduced Joint resolution
TO amend the Constitution so as to apportion
the representatives according TO the number
OF voters, and not according to population as
1t present.
\ bill was also introduced to extend to
negroes the right Of suffrage in the District
Of Columbia. Mr.. Ashley introduced 4 bill
10 2Uargut, c to the Southern States Il rcpub-
lean l.'m Of government BY the appointment
o. irs, ,uu-l Governors and for other pur-
poses; @,.o q joint resolution to amend the
Constitution.