The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-12-11

the late Confederate States.
MEETING OF RADICAL MEMBERS OF Con-
GREss.-W ashingto Dec. 5.-The caucus of
the Republican members of the House, held at
the Capital this evening, was very large, nearly
one hundred members being present. The fol-
lowing measures reported from the Select Com
mlttee, were agreed upon:
First, to pass bill regulating the organization
of the House, directing the Clerk to place no
names on the roll from States not represented
in the preceding Congress or declared entitled
to representation, and providing that cleo
toral votes shall be counted from any State not
represented at the time in Congress.
Second, to pass bill remedying the defect in
the law which may prevent any State canvass
ing the votes for Electors Of President and Vice
President
Third, to pass law changing the time of the
meeting Of Congress, with a view to assembling
on the fourth of March,
Fourth, to raise a special Committee FOR the
rigid investigation Of the New Orleans riot, the
number of lives destroyed, the property burned
and to what extent Government officials were
included therein. The Committee to have power
to send for persons and papers, to be accompa-
MED by the Sergeant-at- Arms, and to report APP
proprate legislation.
Fifth to order Select Committee to investi-
gate the proceedings under the laws for the col
lection of direct taxes in rebel States and the
securing and sale of abandoned and confscated
lands and other property.
Sixth, the Committee On Pensions to inquire
whether any pensioners 10 the disloyal States,
struck from the pension rolls, have been restored
in violation of law.
Seventh, special committee to investigate
the facts connected with the release of the MUIR
derers of Union soldiers in S, q recently set at
liberty by the Delaware Judge.
A resolution passed unanimously that the
members of the caucus biud themselves to sus-
tain the propositions as party measures. Mr.
Ashley of Ohio, said he noticed, present, gen
tleman who had drawn the address of the Phil
adelpha convention, aud asked ifhe as menu
Der of the Union party, and had right there
The Chairman, Mr. Morrill, of Vermont, replied
amid laughter, awhile the lamp holds out to
burn the viiest sinner may return" Raymond
on being asked whether he did not participate
in the Philadelphia Convention, replied, he had
but not in any spirit of hostility to the Union
party; that he entered the Convention to
strengthen that party, thinking it should be
more conservative than it was, but when be
found it likely to lead to the defeat of the
Union party, he abandoned it, and had ever
since done his best to maintain and support the
Union party. He also said he approved of the
measures reported here this evening. Mr.. SEQ
field moved that the gentleman be allowed to
remain in caucus or not at his option, and judge
for himself whether he was a member of the
Union party or not. Mr. Lawrence, Of Ohio,
asked Mr.. Raymond whether be adhered to the
doctrine Of the Philadelphia address, particu-
larly to the clause that the rebel States could
not ratiiy the constitutional amendment with
out dishonor. MIR Raymond was understood to
deny there was such clause in it, said he ad-
hered to that address according to his own con-
struc:ion Of it, but not according to he construc
ton sometimes put on it by others. Mr..
Stevens could not see how Mr. Raymond could
pretend connection with the Union party after
membership in the Philadelphia Convention,
and his authorship of the address put forth by
that body. Messrs. Darling and Hall, of Ne.
York, and Mr. Garfield. of Ohio, favored MIR.
Raymonds remaining in caucus, and Mr.. Nor
ris, of Ohio aud Mr.. Cook were against it, Mr..
Raymond made further explanations with regard
to the Philadelphia address, whep the caucus
adopted Mr.. Sco6cld's resolution.