Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-06-01
From Washington.

WASHINGTON, May OIL Us saiu that
the report of the Secretary OF the
Treasury will show that the total sales of
gold since the LIST are nearly $50, 900, 900,
at 3O3, and that no gold was sold in
March or April for less than q.
Among the recent pardons granted is
that of W. L. Simpson, Confederate
Congressman from South Carolina,
The following combinations have been
made by the Senate: James Wilson, OF
Indiana. as Minister to Venezuela; VIM.
Faxon, of Connecticut, and Captain e.!
" Fox, as Assistant Secretaries OF the
Navy; and James Ready, of New Or
leans. as Assistant Assessor of Internal
Revenue.
1t is untrue, as published, that the
President does not object to the recon-
struction amendment now pending in
the Senate. He advocates his own pro-
eramme of reconstruction.
The Secretary Of War sent to the
House to-day, in compliance with res.
olution, Gen. Whittlesey's reply to Full
lerton and Stedman s report to the Freed
mems Bureau. Whittlesey says that their
report is unfair and unjust, and denies
that they made thorough investigation
or represented the good it had done.
In the Senate, Wilson, from the Conn
mittee of the two Houses, reported a joint
resolution of respect and veneration; and
out of respect for the memory of Gen.
Scott that the two houses, when they
adjoured to-day, should adjourn to NEE
on Monday, and that a committee Of
seven Senators and nine Representatives,
be appointed to represent Congress at
the funeral tomorrow. The resolution
was unanimously adopted by the House.
The third section of the Reconstruction
resolution was passed as originally re-
ported from the Senatorial caucus. Sew
eral amendments were reported by Mr..
Doolittle, but each was rejected by vote
of 80 to 10, which was the vote on the
adoption. fHE AtN|t
In the House, Mr.. Stevens bill con-
structing railroad line from Washing
ton to the Northwest, and also one to
build railroad from Pittsburg to Cleve;
land was passed.
Mr. Leland, of Ohio, spoke against the
bills as an infringement on State rights.
A further report from Fullerton and
Steadman on the Freedmen Bureau was
read and referred. .tqg
A bill to reduce the pay of officers and
regulate that of the soldiers was dis
cussed. After which the House adj.
journed
During the consideration of the Recon
struction resolution in the Senate to-day,
Doolittle objected to the proposed third
section, furnishing alike those who vol
unteered in the Confederate service and
those who were forced into the measure,
as unjust and ought not to be, and would
not be ratified by the Southern States as
it was. 1t was probable that the resolu-
ton would pass, he said, as had been
agreed on in the caucus, but the Senators
should pause before involving the limo
cent with the guilty 1t also annulled al
pardons and amnesties Of the President
whose pardons restored to the beneficial
ries their full rights and privileges.
Mr.. johnson said that the Supreme
Court had substantially so directed.
Mr.. Sumner said that the objee; Of the
section was not a punishment for past
oifenses, but a preventative for future
ones, and those who rebelled once would
do so again without prosecution to pre-
vent them.
Mr.. Doolitile said that if the Repre-
sentaiiyes from the South had been per
mitted to take their seats our lands would
be ten per cent higher, and, moreover,
Macmillan would have been out Of Mex
leo, and he therefore moved that the sec
ton should only apply to those who vol
unfairly engaged 10 the insurrection
Mr.. Wiley said the adoption Of Mr..
Doolittle's amendment would emasculaie
the section, and if it was adopted il
would be impossible to End a man IL the
South who had gone voluntarily into the
rebellion.
Mr.. Salisbury said he thought il a
monstrous injustice that they should be
punished who had been forced into the
commission Of crime He said he would
speak hereafter at length on the subject,
and proposed to show that Whenever a
government de factO was set mp, though
il may be de jUre, every one holaing
obedience TO the former is excused, can
not be punished, and no man could be
convicted Of treason for holding obedi-
ence to his State after it seeded
Mr.. Doolittle's Amendment was re-
ieeted: yeas 10, nays 30
Mr. Doolittle also moved, a. an
amendment the insertion after ibe
words enemies thereof, excepting
those who have received pardon AID
amnesty under the laws" which was