Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-05-10
CONGRESS.

In the SENATE, on the ID instant, Mr.. Dix
on, lrep.l of Conn.,, asked leave to give notice
Of his intention to offer an amendment to the
bills and resolutions reported by the joint Com
mittee on Reconstruction, and as substitute
the iollowing:-
Resolved, &C., that the interests of peace and
the interests of the Union require the admission
of every State to its share in publiclegislation
whenever it presents itself, not only in an atti-
tude Of LOYALTY and harmony, but in the per-
sons Of representatives whose loyalty cannot be
questioned under any constitutional or legal
test.
Upsn this Mr.. Dixon asked leave to make a
few remarks, and prefaced them witha leading
article on reconstruction from the New York
EceRiRg Post. He then said, What ] have read
seemed to me so wise and just that Ihaveadop-
ted it as the best expression which | can make
of nv own Vows. 1t is the leading article in
the New York EreniRg Post of May Ia jour
nal which is certainly not excelled in ability,
patriotism and influence by any newspaper in
the country. Coming from such source l
cannot but hope that these wise, calm andstates-
manlike views may have some influence even on
this body, as they certainly will have among
intelligent people of the United States. They
express in my, judgment the resolute convic-
tons of thinking men, and will SO soon as pub
lie opinion can legitimately declare itself, take
the form and be clothed with the authority of
public law.
Mr.. FeSsenden, who is the Senate's chairman,
was not at all satisfied with Mr. Dixon's move
ment. but admitted that the child of fifteen
fathers was somewhat ricketty and ill-shapen,
but was the hkeliest that could be produced
after five months arduous labor.
Mr. Dixon properly Characterised the report
as a scheme to prevent restoration. He showed
its absurdity by single illustration; "After the
States have accepted these terms; after they
are represented in this body and in the House
of Representatives, for period of nearly four
years, if they accept the proposition next fall,
they are to be denied the right of voting for
their own representatives in Congress -
The Senate last week confirmed the nominal
ton of LEWIS d. CAMPBELL formerly repre-
sentative from Ohio as Minister to the Repub-
lie of Mexico. The nomination of Gen. Frank
P. Blair as collector of the port of St. Louis
was rejected Gen. Grant says the country
was indebted more to Blair than to any
other man that Missouri did not secede.
TTy9ta Senate passed bill to reimburse the
State Of West I'ii,r~.,iinia for moneys expended
for the U. s. in enrolling, equipping end pay
ing military forces to aid in suppressing the re-
bellion.
On Friday the House passed bill, with only
IL votes against it, to revive the grade of Gen
eral in the Army, with pay and emoluments
amounting to about $147O per month. 1t is
intended for Gen. Grant, who was highly eulo-
gised by both parties, and Mr.. Stevens waswil-
ling, when the time came, to give hima higher
office. Mr.. S. may not, however find the Gen
eral a fit subject for Radical uses if made Pre-
sident.1
Schencks army bill was defeatedb by very
decided vote. But reconsideration is moved
to make it more acceptable.
The Senates joint resolution appropriating
s., 100000 for the expenses of collecting the
revenue from customs has been passed.
The bill appropriating nearly twelve mil
lions of dollars fnr tho useS of the Freedmen's
Bureau was alsopassed.