The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-27
CONGRESS .


WASHINGTON, February 27.-Mr. Sumner
(Mass.) presented the petition of the American
Equal Rights League of Philadelphia, asking
that republican form of government be secured
to each State. Referred to the Special Commit
tee of Fifteen.
Mr.. Wilson (Mass.), from the Committee on
Military Affairs, reported resolution expressing
the gratitude of the nation to the officers sol
dieN, ana seamen of the United States, which
was passed.
Mr. Wilson, from the Committee on Military
Affairs reported bill to provide for q uniform
system OF militia in the United States, with slight
amendments.
Mr.. Morgan IN. W introduced bill, which
was referred to the Committee on Finance, to
exempt from taxation, by State or local laws,
lands granted to colleges for educational pur-
poses
Mr. Sumner introduced resolution calling
upon the President for information relating to
the appointment of Provisional Governors in the
South, under what law they were appointed,
how they were paid, Whether they took the
oath of Office, etc. 1t was passed.
Mr.. Davis (Ky.) asked that the resolution re-
Gently offered by him for the appointment of
committee to investigate the frauds of the Cot
ton Bureau, ETC.. be taken up.
Mr.. Davis caused to be read q lengthy COM
munlcaton from former Provost Marshal of
Natchez, Miss, detailing number of alleged
cotton frauds coming under his notice in the
Department of the Southwest.
HOUSE Of Representatives.
MIR. Newell IN. J.) presented DOluG reSOlu-
tion from the Legislature OF New Jersey, in re-
gard to the Veteran Reserve Corps.
Mr.. Wilson (Iowa) introduced bill to fix the
number of the judges of the Supreme Court of
the United States and to change certain judicial
districts. Referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. 0'Neill (Pa,) introduced bill in regard
to the fees and costs OF clerks, marshals, and at
torneys In the Courts OF the United States. Re.
ferred to the Judiciary Committee
The House resumed the consideration of the
Joint resolution reported yesterday, to amend
the Constitution.
Mr.. Highly (Cal.) spoke in support of the pro.
posed amendment, He did not believe generally
in making amendments going by very slow de-
such amendments as will occasion division in
the public mind, but the amendment would
only give effect and vitality, and life to
portions of the Constitution which were
intended from the beginning to have
lie and vitality, but which had received q con-
struetion by which they had been entirely ig-
nored. The amendment was reported as coming
mttee appointed not to have the power OF a
Star Chamber but to get information and light
for Congress and the Executive. He argued
that if under the fifth clause OF
the first article of the Constitution each
branch of the Government were, as the
President had intimated, to decide the question
of the readmission of members from the Rebel
States, they would be usurping the powers OF
the Government. The grand and distinctive
difference between Congress and the Executive
was this: Congress insisted that il is a work oi
the Legislature to place the Rebel States in the
condition of loyal States entitled to representa-
tion, whilst the President of the United States
insisted there should be no legislation on the
subject.