Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-01-15
xxxIxTH CONGREss-FIRsr SESSION

SRNATE.-Mr. Wilson introduced a bill TO
provide for the appearance of every officer in
the army. in the cavalry, artillery and infantry
service, before board Of examination to be
convened and appointed by the Secretary of
War. Officers who fail to pass a satisfactory
examination shall be put upon the retired list
or dropped from the rolls, and the yacan cies
thus created shall be filled by selection from
those who have passed the most satisfactory
examination, without regard to seniority or
arm OF the service. Referred to the Military
Committee.
Mr.. Wilson introduced the bill recently Of
fered by him fixing the strength and organize
ton OF the army, with certain amendments:
and, on motion, IL was recommitted TO the Mil
itary Committee. As amended. il provides
that the army shall hereafter consist OF five
regiments of artillery, twelve Of cavalry, and
fifty five OF infantry: Ten regiments of in
fantry shall be colored troops and eight Of vet
eran reserves.
A communication from the Mayor of George
town on the subject OF the late election on coll
ored suffrage was received and referred to the
Committee on the District of Columbia
Mr.. Chandler offered a resolution declaring
that whereas the British Government has
refused indemnity for damage done to Ameri-
can commerce by her subjects in the late
war; therefore, the President be requested to
withdraw our Ministers from the Court of St
James and declare national non intercourse
between the two nations. Objected " by MI.
Dixon, and gees over.
Mr.. Howard offered a resolution, which was
adopted, calling Tor the trial of Jefferson Davis
anu Clt1ntnt L.. SIdy on Charges on winch they
are confined, by military commission or
court mortal. Objected to and goes ever.
Mr.. Nye called mp the bill TO facilitate COM
mercial, postal and military intercourse be-
tween the States. and upon this bill MIR. Foot
took the floor.
Houston motion OF Mr.. Rice. Of Maine a
resolution was adopted instructing the Com
mittee on Public Buildings and Grounds to
inquiry as 10 the healthfulness of the Presi-
dents House; If il shall be found 10 the con-
trary. then the Committee TO inquire as 10 the
procuring of other grounds on which to erect
an Executive Mansion.
Mr.. Delano presented the credentials of the
representatives elect from the State of
Arkansas. which were referred TO the Commit.
tee on Reconstruction.
Mr. Woodbridge introduced a bill granting
certain public property 10 the National Militia
~ and Naval Asylum; which was referred TO
the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Conk Killing offered an amendment to the
Constitution of the United States providing
that representation and taxation shall be laid
on the whole number Of people, but where
black men are not allowed to vote that race
shall be excluded from the basis.
Mr. Broomall, of Penna, introduced a pre-
amble, setting forth that as the white men OF
the District OF Columbia lately voted that the
black man shall not vote therein, therefore re-
solved that the Committee for the District of
Columbia be instructed to inquire into the ex-
pedlency of ordering an election by the black
men of this District, who shall decide by bal
iot, whether or not, in their opinion, white
men shall be allowed the right OF suffrage
Mr.. Finck moved to lay the resolution upon
the table; and tins was agreed to-yeas, l3s;
nays, IL.
On motion OF Mr. Kelley, it was resolved that
the use of the Hall of Representatives be grant
ed for the use Of the United States Christian
Commission on Sunday night, February 1lth
for the purpose OF holding its anniversary
meeting.
Mr.. Stevens offered a resolution instructing
the Committee on the Judiciary to inquire into
the e3pediency OF so amending the act of 1864
relating TO the test oath, as TO allow attorneys
AT law to practice their profession without
taking said oath. en- an equal footing with all
other professions
MIR. Stevens said that by the act referred TO-
which was ssed during the war, attorney.
We're prohibited from practising without IA
KING that oath; but as since the war many men
TO make living, but are prohibited from prac-
tlslng law, he did not see why they should not
be placed on footing with other professions:
therefore he proposed the inquiry.
The resolution was adopted-S2 against 81.
Mr.. kassoE made a statement, DENYING the
charge of the New York Nelos that Mrs Lin
coin had taken from the White House articles
paid for by the United States. She was per
mitted TO take, however, with the consent of
the Commissioner of Public Buildings and the
Secretary of the Interior, of an article to which
the late President attached much value. worth
$50.
The House resumed the consideration of the
bill extending suffrage in the District Of CO.
lumbia.