Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1866-12-19
CONGRE ss.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Monday, Dec. 1O-Mr. Sumner moved
to call up the Senate bill No. |, an act
I to regulate the elective franchise In the
Dis. of Columbia motion lost. Mr. Sber-
man presented bill to prevent illegal APP
pointment of officers of the United States;
laid on the table Mr., Williams intro
duced bill to regulate the tenure OF Of
fee; laid on the table.
Tuesday Mr.. Chandler called the bill
passed by the House on Monday, repeal
ing the 18th section of the Contiscation
Act, which gives the President power to
grant a general amnesty to those lately
engaged in rebellion after much debate,
the yeas and nays we're demanded, and
the motion was lost.
Wednesday-Mr. Wade introduced
bill for the admission of Nebraska into
the Union as state; laid over. The
standing committees were chosen by reso-
luton. A resolution was adopted inquir-
ing into the power of the President to re-
store confiscated property. The House
bill to repeal the act granting the amnes-
ty and pardon power to the President was
taken up and discussed at some length.
pending which discussion Mr.. Sumner Of
fered resolution relative to the jurisdic.
ton of Congress over the reconstruction
of the Southern States and the ilegality
of the present governments in those states
which was ordered to be printed. The
resolution declares the Importance of the
work Of reconstruction on q secure and
permanent foundation, aud that that end
can only be accomplished by following the
guiding principles Of our institutions as
declared by the fathers of the Republic;
that this work Of reconstruction must be
done by Congress that Congres, Is SOL
emily bound to assume the responsibility.
and that in the performance Of this duty
it must see that everywhere throughout
the rebel communities loyalty is protected
and advanced, while the new governments
arc fashioned according to the require.
ments of Christian commonwealth, so
that order. tranquility, education. and hu.
man rights shall prevail within their Dor
ders: that the new governments must be
founded on the two fundamental truths
thst all men are equal in rights, and that
all just government stands only on
the consent of the governed that all pro-
ceedngs with view to reconstruction
Originating in Executive power are in the
nature of usurpation; that all govern.
mcnts having such origin are necessarily
illegal and void +; and that Congress must
proceed with the work Of reconstruction,
and to that end must assume jurisdiction
over the states latel y in rebellion, and
must recognize only those states having
legal and valid legislatures. as entitled to
representation in Congress or to voice
in the adoption of constitutional amend.
ments Mr. Wade moved to take up the
joint resolution to amend the Constitution
so as to make the President ineligible for
reelection; referred. lhe House reso.
luton for the continuance of the Recon-
structiJn Committee was concurred in.
Thursday MIR. Trumbull from the
Judiciary Committee, reported favorably
on the House bill to repeal the amnesty
clause of the COnfscatiOn Act. Adjourn.
ed till Monday
HOUSE.
Monday, Dec 10--A bill was intro.
duced to repeal the amnesty clause in the
Confscation Act of 1862. and. the rules
being suspended for the purpose, was read
three times and passed. Ill to 80. A bill
providing for the assembling of Congress
on the 18th of March was made the spe
cial order for Dec H. Mr.. Stevens in.
troduced bill to regulate removals from
office, which was postponed. The Presi-
dents Message was received and read.
7nesday.-Mr. Washburne reported
new rule TOR the appointment at the com
mencement of each session of standing
committee on freedmeu's affairs adopted
The bounty bill of the last session was
referred for amendment. A bill for the
repeal of the increase of members paw
was referred. A resolution was adopted
instructing the Committee on Territories
to inquire into the cxpediency of provid-
ing territorial governments for the late
rebel states. A resolution insisting on
the adoption Of the Constitutional Amend.
ment by the late rebels states as a condi-
ton precedent to congressional represent
tation was agrued to without division.
|. Wednesday.-The motion to reconsider
the vote by which the bill for the regula.
ton Of appointments to and removals from
office was recommitted to the Judiciary
Committee last session was reconsiderei,
and the bill was made the special order
for Thursday. A bill was passed to de.
bar any defense by virtue Of the authori.
~ Of the late so.called Confederate States
IN civil suits wherein one of the parties is
loyal.
1hursday.-A bill fixing the election
OF members of Congress for the Tnesa M