Daily national Republican., 1866-01-15
THIRTY NINTH CONGRESS
First Session.
MONDAY, January Is, 1855.
SENATE,

Mr.. Wilson introduced bill 10 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 satisfactory
examination shall be put upon the retired
list or dropped from the rolls, and the vacan-
cies thus created shall be filled by selection
from those who have passsd the most salts
factory examination, Without regard to
seniority or arm Of the service. Referred to
the Military Committee. -
Mr.. Wilson introduced the bill recently
offered by him, fixing the strength and or
ganization Of the army, with certain amend.
ments; and, on motion, II was recommitted
to the Military Committee. As amended, it
provides that the army shall hereafter consist
Of five regiments Of artillery, twelve Of cav
airy, and ffty-ivs Of infantry. Ten regi-
ments Of infantry shall be Of colored troops,
and eight Of veteran reserves.
A Communication was received from tho
Mayor Of Georgetown, on the subject Of the
late election on colored suffrage; which was
referred to the Committee for the District Of
Columbia.
Mr.. Chandler offered a resolution ldeolar-
ing that, whereas the British government
has refused indemnity for damage done to
American commerce by her subjects in the
late war, therefore the President be requested
to withdraw our Minister from the crown Of
St. James, and to declare national non-in-
tercourse between the two nations.
Objected to by Mr.. Dixon, and goes over.
Mr. Howard offered n resolution-which
was objected to-oalling for the trial Of JEFF
ferson Davis and Clement G. Clay on charges
on which they are confined, by q military
commission or oourt-martial.
Mr. Nye called up the bill TO facilitate
commercial, postal, and military intercourse
between the States and upon this bill Mr..
Foot took the floor.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
On motion Of Mr.. Rice, Of Maine, a resolu-
tion was adopted instruoting the Committee
on Public Buildings and Grounds to inquire
as to the healthfulness Of the President 3
House; If II shall be found to the contrary,
then the committee to inquire as the pro-
curing 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 Com
mittee on Reconstruction.
Mr.. Woodbridge introduced a bill granting
certain public property to the National Mill
tary and Naval Asylum; which was referred
to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Conkling offered an amendment to the
Constitution Of tho United States, providing
that representation and taxation shall be
based ON the whole number Of people, but
whore black men arc not allowed to vote that
race shall be excluded from the basis.
Mr.. Broomall, of Pennsyl ylvania, introduced
preamble setting forth that as the white
men Of tho District Of Columbia lately voted
that the black man shall not vote therein
therefore
RssOlved, That the COMMITTEES for the Dis
trict Of Columbia be instructed to inquire
into the oxpediency Of ordering an election
by the black men Of this District, who shall
decide by ballot whether or not in their
opinion white men shall be allowed the right
of suffrage. [Laughter.l
Mr.. Finck moved to lay the resolution on
the table. This was agreed to-yeas 1888,
nays IL.
On motion of Mr.. Kelley, it was resolved
that the use of the Hall Of Representatives
be granted for the use Of the United States
Christian Commission on Sunday night, Feb
ruaay IL, for the purpose Of holding its an
niversary meeting.
Mr. Stevens offered resolution instructing
the Committee on the Judiciary to inquire
into the expediency 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, on an equal footing
with all other professions.
Mr.. Stevens said that by the act referred
to, which was passed during the war, at
torneys were prohibited from practicing
without taking that OATH but as since the
war many men who were engaged in the re-
bellion are trying to make living but are
prohibited from practicing law, he did not
see why they should not be placed on a
footing with other professions, Therefore
he proposed the inquiry. The resolution
was adopted 82,against II.
The House resumed the consideration of
the bill extending suffrage in the District of
Columbia.