Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-12-21
Both Congress--lst Session.
WAsHINaroN. "Wednesday. Dec. Ii.

portation OF cattle, so rs to prevent the
spread.of the cattle disease. The bill was
passed. This was the first bill passed by
this Congress.
Mr.. WILSON, Of Mass, called up q bill
to maintain the freedom of the inhabitants
OF States declared to be in insurrection and
rebellion by the proclamation of tho Presi-
dent Of the lst Of July, 1862. 1t declares
null and void all laws heretofore 10 force in
inequality Of civil rights or immunities are
granted on account of color. Sir. Wilson
said the most cold dblooded atrocities were
being perpetrated upon these freedmen. and
II was TIE duty Of Congress to interfere at
once. The guarantees of the Government,
in the proclamation of July and Jan.
should be made good.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Md, said there we're Sc
rious legal objections to the bill under con-
sideration.
Mr.. CowAN. of Pa, did not believe the
bill would accomplish what its author desT-
ed. An amendment to the Constitution wa
the only way 10 reach the matter, aud he
believed such an amendment would pass
Congress within a month.
Mr.. WILSON referred TO certain laws pass
ed in the Southern States since the aboli-
ton Of slavery, which he said subjected the
freedmen to worse bondage than slavery
itself.
MIR. SHERMAN, ofOhio, ,ympnthized with
the objects of the bill. He Thought Con.
gress ought to secure freedom to the eman-
cipsted slaves, but he believed such legisla-
ton ought to be postponed until the proc
lamation of the Secretary of State announc-
ing the adoption of the Constitutional
Amendment by the required number of
States
Mr.. TRUMBULL, OF ILL.,, thought the bill
premature in the sense stated by Mr.. Sher-
man.
The Senate adjourned.
In the House, Mr. SCHENcK, Of Ohio, re-
ported joint resolution requesting the Presi-
dent to suspend any order mustering out the
officers of the Veteran Reserve Corps, until
Congress shall have time to consider what
disposition shall be made of the Corps. The
resolution was passed.
-. Mr.. iNGERsoLL, Of ILL.,, offered resolu.
ton directing the Joint Committee hereto
fore appointed on the death of President
Lincoln, to take into consideration the ex.
pedieDcy Of the completion Of the Washing
, ton Monument, with view to it's dedication
:! to the commemoration Of the virtue and
, patriotism Of thsse great and good men
J George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Mr.. KUYKENDALL, of ILL.,, introduced 9
bill. which was referred to the Committed
on Military Affairs, extending the benef
of the 2 unity Land act to all soldiers aut
sailors wht served during the late war.
% motion C.f Mr.. BIDwELL, Of CAL, i
, was resolved that the Committee havint
! charge of the Pacific /, all Road be instruct
ed to inquire what action, if any, is required
to expedite the work.
Mr.. FARNswoRTH, of His, introduced
resolutions, declaring it the sense OF th'
, House that the Government should seC'ur'
. TO its colored soldiers their equal rights ant
privileges as citizens of the United States
The House adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Thursday, Dec IA.
In the Senate, Mr., BRowN, Of Mo, in.
troduced . resolution nstructipg the Judici
ary Committee to inquire into the expe
, diency and rigitfulness Of providing by Law
for The adoption Of the eight hour system
! OF labor in all departments Of the Govern.
ment, wherever practicable.
Mr. FOOTE, Of Vermont, announced the
death OF his late colleague, Senator Cola
, mer. Appropriate eulogies were deliver
I ed by Mr.. FOote, Mr.. Harris, OF N. Y, and
MIR. johnson, of Nd.
'Fhe customary resolutions of respect were
then passed, and the Senate adjourned until
Monday.
In the House. the SPEAKER announced
the following Committee on Mr.. Blaine's
(Maine) resolution relative to re-imbursins
, the loyal States TOR money expended in put
ting down the rebellion: Blaine. of Maine
Hooper. of Mass Loan, Of Missouri; Boy
, er, of Pa; Darling, of N. Y; Plants Of
Ohio; Newell. Of New Jersey Smith of
Ky. Terry, of Michigan.
The following is the Committee to inquire
into the condition Of the so called Confeder
ate States: Stevens, of Pa ; Washburne. OF
Ills; Morrill,, of Vermont; Grider. Of Ken
tucky; Bingham, of Ohio; Conkling of N
Rogers, of N. j.
Mr.. WAsuBURNE, of Ills, introduced a
| resolution providing for an adjeurnmen,
over the holidays This was, after debate
, amended, fixing the time from the Goth of
: December to the 9th of January. The reso
| luton, as amended, passed.
, Mr.. STEVENS, Of Pa. introduced bill
/ approprating $50, 900 for repairs on the
Presidents house, and also $l5, ,44O, 900 70,
, invalid and other pensions.
Mr.. CLAhK, of Kansas, introduced bill,
which was referred to the Committee on
: Military Affairs, to equalixe the bounties OF
soldiers, by providing uniform bounty OF
800 per year, computing for the whole
/ period of service and counting of the whole
terra of enlistment. ...
The House adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Monday, Dec. lS.
In the Senate, Mr.. WILSON, of Mass. i,
presented resolution providing for reiev-
ing officers of the Regular army who have
not rendered meritorous services during the
late war, and to gil their places.
Mr.. GRIMES, of Iowa, presented q peti.
ton from Naval officers, asking for increas-
ed pay. :
In the House, Mr.. MoULroN, Of Ills,
offered q resolution. wwich lies over. cal
ling on the President to inform the House
why Jefferson Davis has not been brought
to trial for treason.
Mr.. ORTIZ, of Ind, called for informa.
tion concerning the efforts Of the o.called
Mexican Empire to obtain recognition.
Mr.. WILSON, Of Iowa, reported bill
extending the right of suffrage in the Dis.
trict of Columbis, which was made the
special order for January 10th.
Mr.. STEVENS, of Pa, made speech on
the subject Of reconstruction, arguing that
the lately rebsllious States must come back
into the UAion ss New States or remain as
conquered provinces. In his view. the
whole subject is Ia the power Of Congress-
The House eonourred in the Senate's
resolution for suitable Observance of the