Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-02-20
5s.s. S2:Ef
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.

ley and Jefferson counties to Virginia, against
the cession of those counties West Virginia:
From a negro convention in Florida, asking
for grant Of homesteads, educational, assis-
lance, and the privilege Of the franchise
The House bill consentlng to the annexation
Of Berkeley and Jefferson: counties to West
Virginia, was reported, with amendments.
Mr.. Wilson offered joint resolution to dis
band the militia forces in the eleven 'Rebep'
States. During his speech IN advocacy of the
resolution, he was asked by Mr.. Salisbury,
whether Congress has power to disband the
militia OF Massachusetts,. Mr.. Wilson replied
that he was not prepared to answer that ques-
ton, but commended that Congress had an ab-
solute right to disarm the people Of the South
ern States. A message was received from the
President, returning the Ereedmen's Bureau
bill without his assent. When the reading Of
the message was concluded the galleries broke
out into amingled storm of applause and dis
appreciation. They were ordered to be cleared
and were cleared accordingly. 4 discussion
then epsued as to whether The Senate would
act upon the message at once or postpone the
vote upon it until to-day. After some debate,
it was concluded to adjourn, with the under
standing that the question should come up to-
day as unfinished business.
cation from the Secretary OF the Treasury
stated the aggregate of taxes collected IN the
Southern States, from April lst, 1865, to Feb
urary LIST, 1866, amounts to tWenty-seven mil
lion, nine hundred and forty-fve thousand,
seven hundred and forty dollars. A bill to
amend the Internal Revenue law SO as to con-
strain all railroad companies charging more
more than three cts. per mile FOR wheat, corn,
oats, &C., to pay fifteen per ct. tax On their
gross receipts, was referred. 4 bill authorlz
ing the Secretary Of War to transfer to beneyo
lent Institutions in any State, materials Tor
constructing barracks or hospitals: not exceed
ing cost of S., 900, was referred. \ ConstlJ-
tional amendment was offered by Mr.. Mckee, Ct
Kentucky, prohibiting any person who was In
any way connected with the Confederate States
Government from holding any office under the
u. S. Government It was referred. 4 bill
protecting from illegal arrest all persons who
made arrests during the war, under Govern
ment authority, was referred. Resolutions
were introduced by Nj. Longyear, of Dlichi-
gan, that the present condition of the Southern
States .justihes the suspension Of the writ Of
habeas corpus and the maintaining of military
possession, and thanking the President for en-
ploying military force 10 protect Union citizens
and freedmen in those States. The resolutions
were voted on separately and agreed so. 4
joint resolution was reported from the Commit
tee on Foreign Affairs requiring the Secretary
of the Navy to furnish vessel to assist in lay
ing telegraph line across Behring's Straits
was passed The Committee on Elections re-
ported that Mr.. HenryIL. Washburne is enti-
tied to the seat now held by Mr. Voorhees,,
from the Ninth Congressional District Of lndi
ana The report was laid over. The consider
alton CT the contested election case Of the Six
tenth Congressional District Of Pennsylvania,
Coforth vs.. Koontz, was then resumed, and
after long debate Alexander Il. CoHorth
(Democrat) was declared entitled to the seat By
vote Of ayes IS, nays 81, and was sworn in.