South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1866-01-19
CONGRESS-.

In the Senate, on the 9th, Mr.. Sumner O,
Tered the following: Whcras. i: is rrportc
That persons declared free by the proclaim,
ton and constitutional amendment, arc no,
kidnapped and transported to Cuba an,
Brazil and there held AS slaves:
! l;csolvcd, That the Committee of the in
ld'elary be directed to inquire if any further
Legislation Is necessary to prevent this r.
tvivat Of the slave trade on the Southcr,
Acoast.
lie read letter from person in Ala
1oama relative to this subject, and state,
Ethat Federal officers were among the guilty
parties.
Mr.. Davis said he had no doubt thc
Yankees were cndcavoring to open the slave
radc. lie knew they would do so, if they
S"id make money. The resolution was Il
loptcd.
y resolution was passed declaring that
nc troops should not be withdrawn from
tlc rebel States until the two Houses of
congress shall have aSccrtaincd and dcclar-
their further presence there is no lon.rr
fccssary
In the House, Mr.. Voorhees,, in support
| The resolutions heretofore offered By him
9d"rslns the Presidents pnlicy, made 4
1ccch c"ntcnding that the war havin. ccas-
2 obedience to the laws should be the on
,IrcquIremcnt fur representation.
mr. Bingham replied, controvertin. the
ONIONS expressed by Mr.. Voorhees,, and
dElaring that such sentiments ms he uttered
hefc'thnse which g-v" life 49,. 49, --L~,,:~-
In the Senate, OH the 10th, Mr.. Wilson
introduced bill to increase and fix the
peace establishment of the United States
army. 1t provides for seven regiments Of
arillery, ten Of cavalry and sixty of inf;,n-
try, each arm to have proportion of col
Iored troops, of1iccred by whites. Referred
TO the Military Committee.
The President to-day, in response to q res
"lution Of the Senate, transmitted Il mes
sage enclosing the reports of the Secretary
of War and Attorney General in reference
to what charges Jefferson Davis is confined
Oh and why he is not brought to trial.
lie invites the attention Of the Senate to
that portion of his annual message referring
to Congress the question relating to the
holding IF the Circuit Courts in the districts
where their authority has been interrupted.
Ehc Secretary Of War states that Mr.. Davis
has been indicted by the Supreme Court of
The District of Columbia for hish treason;
also with the crime Of melting the assassi-
nation of President Lincoln, and with the
cruel treatment Of Union prisoners of war.
&C also says that the President, ,lccming it
|expcdicnt that Mr.. Davis should first be
put upon his trial before a competent court
and jury, lie was advised by the law officer
of the Government that the most proper
place for such trial was in the State If Vir-
GINA. That State is in the judicial circuit
assigned to the Chief Justice of the Su-
prcme Court, who has held no court there
since the apprehension Of Mr.. Davis, and
who declines for al indefinite period to do
50. Other prominent parties are mention
cd in the Sccrctary's report, charged with
various reasonable offences against the Gov
crnmcnt, some of whom have been clasScd
by, tl,O.ts..=~..'nrrnt TO await trial for tn" n
ncsty and pardon, the Attorney General
says he has ever thought the civil courts
have alonc jurisdiction of the crime OF high
treason, and Pronounccs the opinion that
Mr.. Davis and others Of the insurgents must
appear before the bar Of justice to answer
for the violation Of the plain meaning of the
Constitution, and infringing the living spir-
it uftlnt instrument.
Mr.. Howe offered resolution declaring
that the States lately i'll rebellion had for
fritcl their rights rs States, and it was fur
Congress to say when these rights shall DC
restored. Mr.. Howe advocated the appoint
mcnt of Provisional Governors and Judges
for them, givin. Congress the power to We
to all acts calculated to injurc any class
He you'll also give them delegates.
In the House, several resolutions were
offered, concerning Mexico, jeff. Davis. etc,
but the greater part Of the session was de-
voted To- tho consideration of the House bl ,
No. ], extending the ri ght Of suffrage in the
District Of Columbia. Speeches were made
by Mr.. Wilson, Of Iowa, Boyer, Of Pa,
Hale, Of y. y, and ScgGcld and Kelley, OF
Pa.
In Tic Senate, on the 1tl,, the bill con-
ccring tho appointment of additional ASSis-
tant Assessors was passed i'll the Senate,
Mr. Summer cnlcavorlug to insert an amend
mcnt that all persons appointed under II
should take the test oath.
On the resolution of Mr.. Howe for the ap
pointmcnt of Provisional Governors i'll tn,
Southern States, lengthy speech WAS
made by Mr.. johnson.
4 bill was reported from the Committee
of the judiciary. giving tho aoso"t Of Con
gross to the transfer Of Berkeley and .Jcflcr
sou counties from Virginia to West Virgin
ia. The bill was rccolnmittcd.
In the House resolution was offered by
Mr.. Raymond, calling upon the Prcsidcn
for Information on the subject ofrc construc
ton, including all messages and orders o
the Provisional Governors.
The subject of negro suffrage i'll the Dis
trict of Columbia occupied the attention o
the House.