The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-03-01
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
SENATE Feb. 49,

PoSSS, anu providing llidl stll iejtefS
sent to fictitious addresses Shall DC re-
turned to the dead letter office. Mr..
Irlmbull introduced a joint resolution
OF thanks to the rescuers OF the officers
and soldiers OF the wrecked steamship
San Francisco, which was referred to
the Committee on Military Affairs Mr..
Howard presented Il memorial from
hundred ana fifty persons. whom he
styled "citizens of Alexandria, Nir-
sinia, asking for /; Territorial Govern
ment for that State. Mr.. Biddle pre-
sented a memorial from the citizens of
Jefferson County, Virginia, protesting
against the ccssion of that county to
West Virginia, and asking that the
question may be left to the votes oil the
citizens Of that county. The bill to ex-
tend the benefits of the pension laws to
artificers in the army, was taken up and
passed. The bill in relation to the Court
OF Claims, was also taken up and passed.
1t allows an appeal to the Supreme
Court, and provides that the regular ses-
siOns OF the Court of Claims shall COM
mence on the first Monday in December.
The enate then took up TIE Consti-
tutional amendment, when Mr. Hen
bricks took the floor against it. He was
repeatedly interrupted in his remarks
by the members on the opposite side,
but acquitted himself with great ability.
He especially aroused the ire of the
" Union-not-worth-a- curse" Chandler, OF
Michigan, who took the floor at the con-
clusion OF his remarks, and dealt pro-
fusely enough Oh the name OF "traitor,"
to verify the old scriptural adage, that
out of the abundance of the heart, the
mouth speaketh.o The Senate adjourned
until Monday.
HoUsEoF REPRESENTATIVES, Feb. 16.
In the House, Mr.. Blaine, of Maine,
reported from the Select Committee on
the subject of a bill to reimburse the
loyal States their expenses in raising
troops to put down the rebellion. Mr..
Baldwin, of Massachusetts, offered a
resolution instructing the Committee on
the District of Columbia to inquire into
the eXpediency of SO amending the OK
isting acts OF Congress as to provide for
the reincorporalion of the Cities of
Washington and Alexandria into one
political body. Mr.. Washburne. eff Hi
nois, made report from the Joint Com
mittee on the Memorial Services to
President Lincoln, that in compliance
with the request of Congress, Mr.. Ban
croft had furnished Il copy Of his Grafton.
The House ordered twenty thousand
copies OF it be printed. The House
then proceeded to the consideration OF
the Pennsylvania contested election ease
of koontz and Cofl'roth. The committee
made two reports: That by the mas
jority, which Wasagainst the p1in{a Iucia
right of thesittting member, Mr.. koontz,
Republican, to his seat and ti.:st OF
the minority, which insisted upon there
mn,
time spent in discussion the subject was
postponed until Monday Mr.. Ofth, ef
indiana, asked leave to eiler a reso-
luton instructing the Committee on
Reconstruction to report an amendment
10 the Constitution, providing that no
person who held any civil OF military
office, under the late so-eaicd Coniede-
racy, shall ever be eligible to hold an
office OF honor or emolument under the
Government of the United States But
objection Was made, and the resolution
went over. The House then took 10
the Senate bill providing for the exhi-
bition Of mineral specimens in the Patent
Office, and the procurement of proper
eases for their reception by thesecretary
OF the Interior, and finally relelres, the
matter to the Committee OH Mining.-
After some further unimportant pro-
ceedings the House adjourned.
House or REPRESENT TIvIs.-- FEB. II.
The Senate was not in session on Set
urday. In the House the time was de-
voted principally 10 the delivery of
speeches. A remonstrancc was presented
from envelope manufacturers Oh New
York State against the proposed law to
authorize the Postmaster General 10 sal
stamped envelopes at the value OF the
stamps thereon. Resolutions were offer
ed by Mr. BromalI, of Pennsylvania, to
t III, effect that the rebellion having de-
prived the communities which took part
in it of ali civil rights, it becomes Ike
duty Of Congress 10 guarantee sh0 rebel
lious States republican gevcrnments,and
by Mr.. Lawrence, OF Ohio, approving
the Presidents course in continuing the
military forces and the suspension Of the
habeos corpus writ In said States. and |
declaring him entitled to the thanks Of
the nation therefor. The balance of the
session was consumed by Cook and Gull /
lon, OF Illinois, and Mr.. Lawrence, re- /
publicans, in speaking on the condition
of the Southern States, OF reconstruc-
ton, and the powers and duties of the
President and Congress connected there
with