Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1866-05-04
CONGRESSIONAL pRocEEnINGs.

CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
WASHINGTON, May I.-Sendte.-Mr.
Trumbull presented a petition of I45 cit
liens of Stanton, Va, representing that
the troops have recently been withdrawn
from that place, that the Union men are
being prosecuted by rebels, and praying
for the return of the troops for the pro-
lection of loyal men. The petition was
referred to the committee on military
affairs.
Mr.. Johnson read a letter from Gen.
Wade Hampton, -contradicting the
charge Of Gen. Sherman thathe (Hamp-
tom ordered the burning of Columbia,
5. c., and asking the appointment of a
special committee to investigate the
subject.
Mr.. johnson moved its reference to
the committee on military affairs, but
subsequently said the senate oughtnOt to
receive it.
Mr.. Trumbull presented a petition
from the citizens of Augusta county,
Va, asking for the return of Union
troops recently withdrawn, for the pro-
lection Of loyal men. 1t was referred to
the military committee.
Mr.. Howard, from the Pacific railroad
committee, reported a Joint resolution to
extend the time for completing the first
100 miles of the eastern division of the
Union Pacific railroad to the 9th of
June, 1866. Passed.
The special order, which was the ap-
preparation bill, was then taken up. Tie
pending question was upon the amend
ment Of Mr.. Trumbull, that no person
exercising or performing the dI ties of
any Office which by law IS required to be
filed by and with the advice and consent
Of the senate shall, before receiving COM
pensation for his services, unless he be
commissioned by the President TO fill a
vacancy which has occurred during the
recess Of the senate and since its last ad-
journ. dent, and happened by death, res
ignation or expiration Of the term and
the cause Of removal to be reported to
the senate al its next session.
Mr.. Henderson took the floor in con-
%tinuation of a speech begun yesterday,
contending for the constitutional right Of
congress 20 adopt above amendment. In
conclusion he said he knew very well
that the amendment would be attacked
all over the country as an unconstitu-
tional curb upon the President. He be-
lieved if offices were to be given out for
political purposes it would end IN the dis
ruptiOn of the government. He believed
the policy of the President was Well cal
culated to blast the hopes Of Union men.
He did not believe the President intended
to join the rebel party, but that was the
inevitable tendency Of his policy. If the
President attempted 10 carry out the ad-
vice given him BY Mr.. Davis, of KEN
tucky, and certain democratic 11swspa-
pers west, ii would Inevitably lead 10
war, and would be the same as that be-
tween King Charles and the English
parliament.
H0Use.-In the house Mr.. boutwell,
sent to the clerks desk an amendment
which ne proposed to offer to one of the.
bills reported yesterday by the commits
tee on reconstruction, and which was
ordered to be pFlntsd.
Mr.. Bingham also sent up a substitute.
which he proposed to offer for the bill,
aud which was ESQ ordered to be printed,
It provides that whenever any state
lately in Instruction shall have ratified,
in good faith and irrevocably, the above
recited amendment, and shall modify its
constitution and laws in conformity
herewith, the senators and representa-
tives from such state, if found duly
elected and qualified, may, after having
taken the oaths of office required by law,
be admitted into congress as SUCH
Mr.. Stevens, from committee on APP
preparations, reported back senate joint
resolution making appropriations for the
expenses of collecting revenue from
customs; which was considered and
passed.
Mr.. Eliot offered a resolution, which
was adopted, reciting an alarming con-
dition Of destitution is reported as exist
ing among the white population and
freedmen, extending to Arkansas, Ala
hama ndSOuth Carolina, and that with
] ont rowan aa,H "a I~,r9orl= -.,rH @1-s-l.
by starvation before raising other crops,
and directing the select committee on
freedmen to inquire into the expedieney
Of recommendingan appropriation Of one
hundred thousand dollars for the fmme-
diaterelief by rations of food for the des-
ttute, giving the preference in such relief
to those whose personal property and
supplies Of food have been DESTROYED by
the Tavages of war, and to be expended
under the direction of the commissioner
Of the freedmen's bureau, with leave to
report at any time.
Mr.. Stevens suggested that the inquiry
was not necessary, as the committee on
appropriations had Yesterday reported
a bill appropriating Sl1 100000 for the
freedmen's bureau.
Mr.. Rice, of Massachusetts,. from the
committee on naval affairs, reported back
the senate amendments to the house bill,
for the better organization of the pay de-
partment Of the navy. The amendment
was concurred In.
The house then proceeded TO the con-
sideration Of the bill reported on the 18th
Of April, from The committee on COM
merce, amendacoFy of act of July II,
1854, to encourage immigration. and the
act Of March Sd 1865, to regulate the car
riage of passengers in steamships and
other vessels. The bill, after amend
ment in some Of its details, was passed.
Mr.. Kelly offered The following reso-
luton, which was adopted:
WHEREAS, 1t is reported by citizens of
Alabama in a formal memorial to the
two houses of congress that MANY Of the
people of the mountain districts of that
state are suffering from want, and con-
siderable numbers of them have died of
actual starvation, therefore
Reso1red, That the President be- re-
quested to instruct the proper officer or
officers of the bureau of refugees and
freedmen to inquire into the condition Of
said districts, and any other districts Of
the insurgent states 10 which such suf-
fering may be said TO exist, and to re-
lieve the people thereof, and 20 provide
them with corn and other seed fer plant-
liz a hANH EAAAtNANAA VA ~ ALntlal clDDlN
af each family requiring such relief.
Mr.. Ross introduced u bill to construct
a ship canal for the passage Of armed and
naval vessels nom the Mississippi river
TO Lake Michigan.
Read twice and referred to committee
on roads and canals.
Mr.. Schenck, from committee on mill
tary affairs, reported back the senate
joint resolution, passed by that body on
the 9th Of February, expressive of the
gratitude Of the nation TO the officers,
Esoldiers and seaman of the United States,
hsby whose valor and endurance ON land
and sea the rebellion has beed crushed,
and its pride and power have been hum
bled by whose. fidelity 10 the cause of
freedom the government Of the people
has been preserved and aaaintainea, and
by whose orderly return from the fire
and blood q civil war to he peaceful
pursuits Of private life the exaltiEg and