The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-03-20

Mr.. Sumner presented the petition of
citizens of New York respectfully ask
ing that no State that rebelled shall be
admitted as governing partner into
the Union without adequate security
for the future. Referred to the Commit
tee on Reconstruction.
Mr.. Sumner also presented the petit
ton of the citizens of Jefferson county,
Pennsylvania, asking for an amend
ment TO the constitution prohibiting any
State from making distinctions in civil
rights among the naturaliZed citizens,
or AMONG persons born on American
soil, on account of race or color. Re-
ferred to the Committee on Reconstruct
ton.
Mr.. Sumner presented two petitions
in favor of an introductionary copy
right law, which was referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
MIR. Wade offered a petition from Ohio
wool growers asking for an increase OF
duty on imported wool, which was re-
ferred To the Committee on Finance.
Mr.. Wilson presented petition to
increase the pay of army officers, which
was referred to the Committee on Mill
tary Affairs.
Mr.. Wilson presented petitions of
several colored men who represent that
they were once slaves of Geo. Il. W.
Custis, who in his will freed them and
provided for their support from the
property left by him, They ask that a
portion of the Arlington estate be pro-
vided for their benefit. The petition
was referred to the Committee on Judi
ciary.
Mr.. Fessenden rose to an explana-
ton. He found in the National Intel
Iigencer OF the 18th inst, a letter from
VIM. A. Graham, a claimant for seat
in the Senate from North Carolina, in
reply to his (Fessenden's) remarks of a
few days ago, concerning the nature OF
the investigation carried on by the
committee of the 18th. This letter of
Mr.. Graham'S was intended to convey
the i'm pression that the Investigations
were not impartial. Mr.. Graham had
written to him (Fessenden) making two
re0uests, one that witnesses suggested
by him (Graham) should be examined,
and another that the Representatives
and Senators from the Southern States
should be allowed to be present to cross
examine witnesses. This was not GUS
tomary in cases of investigation by
committee, and because the proceedings
aUf the committee were not in the ma
ture of a criminal investigation where
cross examinations were neceSsary.-
He (Fessendenl did not regard the late
ly rebellious States in the light of Grim
inals on trial, nor was he acting in the
capacity of prosecutor. The error OF.
Mr., Graham was his belief that the tes-
timony had closed because II had been
ordered to be printed. 1t had notclosed
except in the case of Tennessee. In the
case of North Carolina no testimony
had vet been printed, it all being in the
hands of Mr.. Howard, of Michigan,
now absent on account of domestic at
Fiction.
Mr.. Davis, in reply to Mr.. Fessenden,
advocated the right of the claimants as
Southern Senators and Representatives
to be present and cross examine witness
es, Mr.. Davis proceeded to read Mr..
Graham's statement in the Intelligen-
Ger. Having read for half an hour he
was called 10 order by Mr.. Chandler,
who insisted that there was no question
before the Senate.
Mr.. Feascnden said it had yielded to
Mr.. Davis for him to read Mr. Gra-
hams letter, but it was evident now
that he was reading the editorial and
news columns of the paper.
Mr.. Davis said that he was reading
an explanation of the case by Mr.. Law
renee.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Davis read
ing, Mr.. Fessenden said that if Mr..
Graham desired to introduce further
testimony in the case of North Carolina
he could do so.
Mr.. CONFESS introduced the following
resolution, which was adopted:
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the
Navy furnish a thorough report OF the
naval observatory, the summet, levels
and distances by surveys of various
proposed lines for inter-Oceanic canals
and railroads between the waters of the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and also
their relative merits as practicable lines
for the construction of ship canal and
especially as relates to the honduras,
Tehuantepec, Nicaragua, Panama aud
Arrat lines, and also whether in the
opinion of the Superintendent the Isths-
mus of Darien has been satisfactorily
explored and If SO furnish in detail
charts and plans OF levels and all in
formation connected Herewith and
upon what authority they are based.
HOUSE.
The Speaker announced that the first
business in order was for bills and
Joint resolutions.
The joint resolution introduced last
Monday by Mr.. Ashley, of Ohio, in re-
gard to reconstruction, was taken up,
read twice and referred to the Commit
tee on Reconstruction.
Mr.. Bundy, of Ohio, introduced a
bill to amend the Pension act of July
IA. 1862, which was read twice and re-
ferred TO the Committee on Invalid
Pensions. ~
Mr.. Randall, of Kentucky, introduced
a bill further TO provide for the pay
ment of certain demands for quarter
master stores, de-, furnished to the
army of the United States, which was
read twice and referred to the Commit
tee on Claims.
resolution proposing an amendment to
the Constitution, which was read twice
and referred to the Reconstruction Com
mittee and ordered to be printed.
Mr.. CuIIom, of ILL.,, introduced sim
liar Joint resolution upon which there
WINS similar action.
Mr.. mcclure, of No., introduced a
Joint resolution for the representation
in Congress of the States lately in re-
bellion, and tor the resumption of the
practical relations of said States to the
United States, upon which the same
action was taken.
Mr. Hooper introduced the following
"Be it enacted, &C.. that the act enti-
tied an act to provide ways and means
10 support the Government, approved
March Sd, 1855, shall be intended and
construed to empower the Secretary OF
the Treasury to sell any description of
bonds authorized by said act at such
rates not less than par us he may think
advisable for lawful money of the
United States, or to receive in payment
any treasury notes, compound interest
notes. certificates OF indebtedness or of
deposit with the interest accrued there
on which have been or which may be
issued under any act of Congress. II
shall be the duty of the Secretary of
the Treasury to retire and cancel an
amount OF the treasury notes, certiti-
Gates or other obligations bearing in
teTest equal in amount to the bonds
disposed of and the public debt shall
not hereafter be Increased by authority
Of this or any previous acts of Congress
and from and after the LIST day of July
next the interest on certificates of de-