Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-02-21
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

Morgan presented the credentials OF Lewis
L. Parsons, claiming TO be Senator from
Alabama, which were laid on the table.
Petitions were presented and referred for
equalization OF bOuntles, for increase OF du-
ties on inspected goods. for equalrgh civ
il and political, and from colored soldiers
for the rig ht of suffrage. Mr.. Fessenden,
from the Committee on Reconstruction, re-
ported joint resolution for an amendment
to the Constitution. y resolution was "a
dopted, directing an inquiry as to what leg
Islatl0n Is necessary TO protect passengers
on Western steamboats,. The Warehouse
bill was called up, debated. and postponed.
Mr. Wilson reported the bill TO fix the mill
tary peace establishment, with various chan
ges The pending Joint resolution to amend
the Constitution was taken up and debated
by Messrs Henderson, Sumner. Wade and
Wilson, and after an Executive session,
the Senate adjourned IN THE House,
resolutions were offered reaihrming the
Monroe Doctrine, protesting that the c0un-
try will never submit to the French intru-
sion into Mexico, and proposing to solicit
an alliance Of all the American Republics.
The previous question was demanded and
refused by Is to %, and the resolutions
then went to the Committee on Foreign
Relations. \ resolution was offered to pro-
cure a large number OF copies Of a memori
al volume of President Lincoln, which was
referred 1t was resolved that the escutch-
cons Of West Virginia and NaVada be pain
ted on the glass panels Of the Hall ceiling.
\ resolution to admit James II. johnson,
| claimant Of seat from Arkansas, to the
| privilege of the floor, was debated by Mesrs.
! Smith, Stevens and KassOn, and laid
on the table IS to 20. Mr. Bingham re-
| ported from the Reconstruction Committee
| the same resolution for an amendment to
| the Constitution which was presented by
| Mr.. Eesseuden in the Senate. After some
debate it was, on Mr.. Bingham motion,
recommitted, and ordered to Je printed. 4
| resolution was offered and referred requir-
ing brevet commissions hereafter to state
| why they were conferred. The Michigan
! election case, Baldwin agt. Trowbridge was
| taken up Mr.. Tr0Wbridgc, the sitting
member, had a majority, including the sol
diers' votes. Mr. Baldwin, the contestant,
had majority Of the home vote. The
| question is whether the soldier votes were
| legally given, and the majority Of the Com
mittee report that they were, and that Mr.
Trowbridge is entitled to his seat. \ mi
| nority report was made in favor Of Mr. Bald
win, and without taking vote the House
| adjourned.
In THE SENATE, on Februry 14th, peti
| tons were presented from citizens of Ten
nessee asking the recognition of the present
State Government; by Mr.. Chandler and
others for the abolition of civil disquaiilica-
tions on account of color; from assistant as
| SCISSORS for an increase of salary; and from
women Of New England for the elective
! franchise without distinction of sex The
pending amendment TO the Constitution was
taken up, and Mr.. Henderson resumed his
speech of Tuesday. \ debate ensued be-
tween Messrs. Henderson, Fessenden and
Yates Mr. Clark followed in a speech for
impartial suffrage. Mr.. Ramsey introdu-
ced bill for the survey for the Upper Mis-
sissippi and the Minnesota Rivers, which
was referred, and the Senate, at ) p. M, ad-
journed In TIE HOUSE, memorials were
presented from photographers for a repeal
of the stamp tax on photographs; and from
the Chamber of Commerce of San Francis
co for an appropriation Of $500, 900 TO remove
rocks from the harbor of that city. The
bill authorizing the Secretaries of War and
Of the Navy to place United States vessels
or hulks at the disposal of the Quarantine
Commissioners of New-I ork was reported
from the Committee on Commerce and pass
ed. \ bill was introduced to establish a
National Bureau of Education, appointing
a Commissioner Of Education, and other
wise providing for the promotion of educa-
ton throughout the country; which was or
dered to be printed and referred to a select
committee of seven. Resolutions were a
dopted directing an inquiry into the expedi-
ency OF excepting interest bearing legal ten
der notes from the lawful money required
to be held by National Banks, and OF grad
uating the tax on tobacco with reference TO
the relative value Of cigars or other manu-
Pictured tobacco, or to make an advalorem
tax. The Senate bill to increase the num-
Der Of clerks in the POST Office Department;
was reported from Committee 4 reSolu-
ton was adopted appointing the Mayor aud
Postmaster OF New \ ork, the United tates
District-Attorney, the President of the
Chamber Of Commerce, and Mr.. jackson
). Schultz of the same city, Commission
to select a proper site for a Post-Office
and Courthouse, and report thereon to
the Post -Master-Generala and Secretary of
the Interior; which was debated at some
length, and passed. 4 bill was reported
authorizing the Post Master General to de-
poslt Postage stamps fer sale on commission
the object being to enable the Depart
ment to circulate and sell stamps in the
Rebel States. After debate, the bill went
over. The Michigan contested election
case was resumed, and the minority report
IN favor OF the contestant, Mr.. Baldwin
Dem, was rejected by soto los. The ma
jority report, affirming Mr.. Trowbridge' S
right to his seat, was then passed, and a
resolution adopted to pay Mr.. Baldwin
81, 500 for his expenses in contesting the
seat. Mr.. Stevens asked leave to offer a
resolution against the reduction of the tax
on whisky or distilled spirits, but objection
was made. A memorial was presented from
234 COMMITMENTS of an African church in
Atlanta, Ga, for an appropriation to rebuild
their church, destroyed by Union soldiers.
IL THE SENATE, on February l5th, the