Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-01-11
XXXIXth Congress
HOUSE.

HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, January 1O.-Mr. WILSON
introduced bill to increase and fix the mil
itary peace establishment of the United
Ssates army. 1t provides that the United
States army shall hereafter consist of regi-
ments of artillery, 10 regiments of cavalry
and so regiments of infantry. In addition
to five regiments of artillery now organized,
there shall be two new ones TO be composed
of colored and one ofwhitepersons, ofhcered
by selections from the volunteer officers.
Two new regiments Of cavalry to be of white
and two of colored persons. In the infantry
there shall be eight regiments composed OF
men from the veteran reserve cOrpss, and
officered by officers of that corps. There
shall be one Lieutenant General, Eve Major
Generals and ten Brigadier Generals. The
bill was referred to the Military Committee.
Mr.. WILSON offered petition from the
colored citizens of Savannah, asking the
right. of suffrage. Referred to the Special
Committee on Reconstruction.
A resolution was passed authorizing the
printing of 5000 copies of General Grants
military report.
Mr.. MORRILL, moved to take up the bill
to regulate the elective franchise in the
District of Columbia. The bill was read.
Mr.. RIDDLE asked that the considera-
ton of the bill be postponed until next
Tuesday.
Mr.. YATES moved to recommit the bill
to the Committee on the District of Colum-
bia. Adopted.
Mr.. HOWE offered resolution declaring
that the States lately in rebellion had for
feited their rights as States, and it was fol
Congress to say when these rights should
be restored.
The House proceeded to discuss the ques-
ton of State Rights and Secessionism, and
affirming that by the acts of secession and
rebellion the Southern States have destroyed
their functions of civil government.
A Navy Appropriation Bill was reported
from the Committee on Appropriations.
The record of the proceedings of the To
baeco Convention at New York, was referred
to the Committee on Ways and Means.
The.Committee on Ways and Means were
instructed to consider the expediency Of
dispensing with the income tax entirely, OF
assessing only on incomes of over 81 ,200,
and of reducing the present percentage.
The Committee on Freedmen's Affairs was
instructed to inquire into the truth Of the
alleged injustice of the South Carolina
planters towards the freedmen in their en-
ploy.
instructed to inquire into the expediency of
exempting manufacturers Of crutches and
artificial limbs from the Internal Revenue
A bill was introduced to punish counter
feiitng With death.
A resolution was adopted calling for in
formation in reference to the Imperial Ex-
press Company, organized in New York,
and under the authority Of the so-ealled
Emperor of Mexico, to carry on contraband
or other trade between Mexico and the Uni
ted States.
Several resolutions heretofore offered
were referred.
On motion of Mr.. C0NKLIN, Of New York
the President was requested, if not incem-
patible with public interests, TO inform tbs
House why Jefferson Davis, Mr.. Clay and
others, were kept in confinement.
Mr. DAVIS, of New York, introduced &
resolution pledging the House to the sup
portsofnthe Presidents plan of recSnstrue-
ton which was referred to the COMMITTED
on Reconstruction.
Mr.. WILSON, of Iowa, made speech II
favor of extending the suffrage TO the blacks
IN the District of Columbia.
Mr. BOYER, of Pennsylvania, replied
eontending that this is a white mans gov
ernment and defending the people of the
District of Columbia from charges Of dis
loyalty.
Messrs. SCH0FIELD and KELLY spok'
in favor of negro suffrage.
Adjourned.