The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-01-26
CONGRESSIONAL.
WAsHINGToN. Jan. :

Mr. Grimes was excused from service
on the committee on Public Lands.
Mr.. Sumner presented a petition from
the citizens ofPennsylvania, of asking that
the guarantee of q republican form OF
government be enforced, which was re.
ferred to the committee on Reconstruc.
| ton
Mr.. Harris presented the petition of,
Carl S. Forbes asking for relief from a
contract for the building of a vessel
which was referred to the committee on
Naval Affairs. .uifa.r -
Mr.. Cowan presented the petition OF
citizens of Pennsylvania, asking for such
action as shall prevent the States from
making distinction in civil rights on ac-
count of color Referred to the speciI
committee on Recoqstruction.
Mr. Cowan also presented petition
in favor of a protective tariff, which was
referred to the committee on Finances.
Mr.. Hendricks, from the committee on
Public Lands, reported bill to establish
all additional land Office in the State of
Oregon, which, at the request Of Mr.
Williams, was taken up and passed.
Mr., Wilson called up the bill to restrict
the expenses of collecting soldiers
claims and making it a penal offence to
charge more than ten dollars for collect
ing soldiers claim. t4Gi..f
Pending the consideration of the
above, the morning hour expired and the
bill to enlarge the powers ofthe Freed
mems Bureau was taken up.
Mr.. Davis took the floor against the
bill.
Mr.. Dixon reported the bill In relation
to the sale of postage stamps and stamp
ed envelopes on credit with an amend
ment limiting its operations to the 3Oth
of June, l26U He asked for the print
ing of an explanatory letter from the
postmaster general which was ordered.
Mr.. Morrill, introduced bill in addi-
ton to several acts for establishing the
temporary and permanent seat OF gov
ernment of the United States, which was
referred to the committee on the District
OF Columbia 1t repeals the acts incor
porating the cities of Washington,
and Georgetown, and declares that the
legislative powers delegated to said cit
les are hereby to be exercised exclusively
by Congress and all other men provided
by law The executive officers or the
District are provided as follows: Three
commissioners, private secretary to the
PRESIDENT for the District, solicitor for
the District collector, treasurer, engi-
nser and scaYenger, board OF health,
| consisting Of the commissioner and tour
| physicians; board of education, con.
sisting of the commissioner and 5ecre-
tary and 4 superintendent Of Weights
and measures; board ofpolice, consist
ing OF the commissioner and six citizens
md officers of the fire department, etc :
The principal of these officers are to be
appointed by the President, and con
firmed by the Senate for the term OF four
wears, All the others are to be appointed
by the commissioner The commission
er, secretary, attorney and marshal are
salaried at $1,000 per annum each.
Mr. Wilson called up the Senate bill
to restrict the expenses Of collecting sol
diers claims, making it penal offence
to charge more than ten dollars for the
collection of soldiers claim for back
pay or bounty Mr. Wilson explained
that the bill had been amended by ma
king it applicable to the claims of sol
diers and officers, He said none were
better capable of protecting themselves
| than soldiers, besides many officers had
accounts to settle with the Departments
which might involve good deal of la
| Dor
Mr.. Salisbury denied the right "t
Congress to regulate the compensation
between clients and attorneys, or be
tween employers and employed
Mr.. Wilson said the fees for collecting
pensions are regulated by law wnen not
the fees for collecting bounties and back
pay. He had received letter from
soldier who had been charged one hun
dred and fifty dollars, for collecting
claim of three hundred dollars, and 9th
er letters stating that the widows and
heirs of soldiers were being defrauded in
the collection of back pay &C.
The morning hour expired and the
| Chair announced that the bill to enlarge
the power of the Freedmen Bureau was
before the Senate and Mr., Davis was en-
titled to the floor.
Mr.. Davis spoke against the bill He
objected because majority in the sen
ate excluded the senators from eleven
! States from their seats in the Senate for
the purpose of securing the passage OF
this and other unconstitutional meas
| nres because the measure was unconsti-
tutional in proposing tOinVest the Freed
mems Bureau with judicial power ;
because it authorized the President
to assign to any army ofhcer
the exercise of judicial power; be
cause il broke down the partition OF
power of the government made by the
constitution; because it deprived citizens
of the right of trial by jury or civil
courts because it was scheme devised
to practice injustice and oppression upon
| the white people of the late slave States
for the benefit of freedmen and negroes,
and to eneender strife between the two
races; because it involved prodigately
wasteful aud unnecessary expenditure OF
public treasure, and because it was one
of the reckless and unconditional series
of measures devised by the radical party
to enable it to hold power and place.
Mr.. Sherman said the Governor OF
South Carolina had written lengthy
letter on the subject OF the section con-
ferrirg land titles made under General
Sherman's order. The people Of South
Carolina had no representative here
He submitted whether the Senate had
not better postpone its final action until
the letter referred to was laid tefore
them. which would be tomorrow.
Mr. Trumbull said that the Senate
could not alter or amend the bill now
that it had been read three times, with.
| ont q reconsideration Of the votes and