Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-24
WASHINGTON NEWS AND RUMORs


In the Senate on the 21st Mr. Howard pre-
scented n report TO the Senate upon what grounds
JEFF Davis was confined and why he is not
brought TO trial.
The chair announced the following Commit
toe on Reconstruction: Messrs. Fcsscnden,
Grimes, Harris, Howard johnson, and Viii
liams.
Mr.. Sumner presented petition Of the color
ed citizens Of Tennessee that the Congressional
delegation Of Tennessee be not received till the
State recognized the rights Of the colored citizens
also petition OF tho white citizens of the District
Of Columbia for the extension Of the right Of suf
frage TO the colored people.
Mr.. Howard presented a petition Of 800
colored citizens Of South Carolina for such cgisa
ton will insure them their political rights.
Referred to the Committee on Reconstruction.
The President on Friday sent TO the Senate
the name Of Gen. Vanvalkenburg Of New York.
ms Minister TO Japan. This position was offered
70 Mr.. Dcpew, who, some days ago. declined it,
in the hope Of getting the New York Collector
ship.
Both Houses Of Congress adjourned early on
the 2lst, until the 9Th of January. Nearly all of
the Congressman left on tho evening trains, ac.
companied by the usual crowds that are attracted
during the session. The. city looks deserted
already.
Mr. Manning. Senator elect from South Caro-
lima, called upon, and spent some time with the
President on Friday last
Mr.. Wilson introduced bilI.to maintain and
enforce the freedom of the inhabitants of the
United States, which was referred to the Judiciary
Committee.
The preamble recitesthat Congress has submit
ted the amendment Of the constitution, and that
official proclamation has been made that such
amendment has been ratified by three-fourths Of
the States. The bill provides that all laws ordin-
ances. and regulations in any State or Territory
recognizing the inequality of civil rights or i'm
munities among the inhabitants in consequence of
race or color shall be null and void and rendering
IL illegal 10 make or enforce any such law here
after. Section 20 provides that the inhabitants of
any State. without distinction of color shall be
entitled TO make contracts. sue and to be sued
testify in courts purchase sell real estate and
have equal benefit Of all laws for the security of
gerson and property. Section 3 provides that any
person violating the provision Of this act shall be
guilty of a misd cmeanor, aud be punished by fine
and imprisonment Proceedings, under this sec
ton. in insurroctonary States may be made in
military courts until the civil courts arc rc-estab
lished. Section provides that the defendants in
any suit in any courts who shall claim any right
under this act by way of defence such defendant
may remove by petition such suit into the proper
District or Circuit Court
Mr. Ward On. Y has introduced resolution
declaring that notwithstanding the law against
polygRmy, that abominRblc institution still exists
and is on the increase in Utah that il is the re-
naming barbarism Of our age and country and
like its twin sister, slavery. il should be swept
from the Territories of this Republic, if It takes
the whole power of tho Government to do so. and
10 that end be IL
Rcsolred, That the Committee on Territories
take the whole subject into consideration and in
Quiro INTO the conduct of the United States Off
cials in that Territory, and report by bill or other
wise such law or remedy rs the eXigency of the
case demands.
Mr.. Price Ua) introduced bill to amend the
act TO provide n national currency by adding a
pro7iso TO section sixteen, permitting any Nation
al Banking Association to withdraw from the
Treasurer Of the United States the securities de-
posted with him. after giving public notice of
such intention in newspaper in New York.
Bosten Philadelphia. and the place Of its loca-
ton, calling upon all parties who may have any of
the circule ting notes Of such Banking Association
to return them for redemption. Referred to tho
Committee on Banks and Banking.
On motion Of Mr.. Wilson, resolved that IN q
Committee on Banking and the Currency be in
structed to inquire and report TO the House
whether any order has been issued or arrangement
made whereby National banks in the Southern
States shall have preference in the proportion and
delivery Of their circulation over the National
banks in other States. and report all the facts con
nectod Herewith.
The House is still anxious for light spon the
Mexican question. The President has again been
requested 10 furnish information as to the steps
Macmillan has taken to secure a recognition from
u.s. and what reply has been made.
Secretary Seward on the reception Of the Off
eisl copy Of the decree Of Macmillan establishing
peonage in Mexico, asked the opinion Of Attorney
General Speed on that subject. The latter replied
the decree constituted a law which dcprivos the
working class Of rights which are regarded every
where rs inostimAble, and makes them slaves
Secretary Seward wrote Mr.. Bigelow on the 10th
Of November. saying the decree had received the
attention Of the Government, and repeating the
opinion of Attorney General. Mr.. Bigclow fur
nished n copy of the opinion TO the French Gov
enmcnt but no response has been received as vet
Thy Committee on Foreign Affairs now have this
matter before them.
Mr.. GRISNELL introduced a bill providing
that no commission shall hereafter be issued to any
civil or military officer Of the Government resi-
dent in Utah until he has e led in the Office where
such commission issues. disavowal Of tho doc
trinc and practice OF polygamy, and that no com
pensation shall be allowed TO any such officers in
that territory without such disayowal Tho bill
was referred TO the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr.. BLAME has offered the following in the
House,
WAorsos. Class rule and ariStocratic princirlcs
ofgovemment have burdened well nigh all 1su-
rope with an enormous public debt and a stand
ing army, which press ~ n prOdgious incubus on
the people, absorbing their substance impeding
their culture and imparing their business. and
trhcrcas the class rule an aristocratic element
Of slaveholding which found place in our Re-
public, has proved itself IN a like manner hurtfnl
60 our people by degrading labor and prohibiting
popular education in n large section Of the coun-
try. by striving 20 rend our Union into fragments
by causing the blood Of hundreds Of thousands Of
patriots 20 dow. and 10y compelling the people 20
impose on themselves debt Of European magni-
tude in defense Of liberty, nationality and ciyia-
alton, on this continent; therefore
Be Il rcsairoa. As the sense of this House that
once for all we should have dono with class rule
and aristoeracy asa priviicdgcd power before the
form they may appear, and that In restoring the
nominal relations Of the States lately IN rebellion,
Il Is the high and sacred duty Of the representa-
tivcs ol FREQ people to proceed upon the true n
Distinguished from the false demorratie pripcinic
and TO realize and secure the largest attanable lib
erty TO the whole people Of the Republic, ire
Spcctive Of class or race.
On mpion 81 Mr.. lNcFEsoLL it was resolved.
that the Committee Military Affair be in
structcd 20 Inquire into the expedioncy Of proyid
ing by law for the equitable distribution Of the
surplus arms among the S,aiesHwhich have never
been in rebellion,
Gen. Howard has received a report from Gen
Saxion, reviewing bis operations as Assistant
Commissioner Of the Freodmons Bureau lfor the
States Of Georgia and South Carolina. from the
date Of his appointment Under the Confis-
cation Act, Sl2.0ii acIts cf land have been seized
by the Bureau, most oi which. however. has been
returned TO is former owners by orders from the
War Department The relations existing between
the Whites and the Freedmen Of the States men
toned. are still unsatisfactory. owing to lack Of
confidence in each ether on both sides.