Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-03-19
XxxIxTH cONGREss-FIRsrs SESSION.

MONDAY, march ~.
Mr.. sumner presented the petition OF citizens
of New York, earnestly asking that no State
that rebelled shall be admitted as a governing
partner into the Union. without ADEQUATE Sc
curity for the future also, the petition of cIu-
zens of Jefferson county, Pa, asking for an
amendment to the Constitution, prohibiting
any State from making distinctions in civil
rights amongst the naturalized citizens of the
United States. or among any persons bora on
American soil, on account of race or color. Re-
ferred to the Committee on Reconstruction.
Mr.. Sumner presented two petitions in favor.
of an International copyright law, which was
referred TO the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tons.
Mr.. Wade presented a petition from Ohio
Wool growers, asking for an increased duty en-
imported wool; which was referred to the Com
mliiee on Finance
Mr.. Wilson presented a petition TO increase
the pay OF army officers which was referred to
the Committee on Military Affairs.
Mr.. Wilson presented the petition Of several
colored men, who represent that they Were
once the slaves of George w. +. Gusts, who,
in his WIZ, freed them, and provided for their
support from the property left by him. They
ask that a portion of the Arlington estate be
set apart for their benefit. The petition was
referred 10 the Committee on the Judiciary.
MIR. Wilson, from the Military Committed
reported the bill to establish home for totally
disabled soldiers and sailors of the United
States, with a recommendation that certain
House amendments be concurred in The
amendments strike out the provisions with re-
gard TO seamen, and make IL applicable only to
CURED in, and the bill now goes TO the Presi-
dent for his signature.
Mr.. Fessenden rose to a personal eHplana-
nation. He found in the National IHteljgeacer
Of the Eth instant a letter from VIM. 4. Ora.
ham, claimant for seat in the Senate from
North Carolina. in reply TO his (Fessenden's 81
remarks of a few days ago concerning the ma
ture OF the Investigations carried on by the
Committee of Fifteen. This letter of Mr. Ora
hams was intended TO convey the impression
that the investigations were not important
Mr. Graham had written TO him (Fessendenl
making two requests-one that witnesses sug-
gested by him ((IrahIm) should be examined
and another that the Representatives and Sem
atCrs from these States bc allowed to be pres
ent to eross-examine the witnesses. The last
request was not complied with, because il was
not customary in cases of Investigation by q
committee, and because the proceedings of the
committee were not in the nature of i criminal
investigation. where cross-examinatlons Were
necessary. He (Mr. Fessenden) did not regard
the lately rebellious States in the light of
capacity Of prosecutor. And this error of MIR
Graham's was his belief that the testimony h ad
closed because ii had been ordered to be printed
1t had not closed, except in the case of Ten
nessee. In the case of North Carolina no testi-
mony had yet been printed, II all being in the
hands of Mr.. Howard, of Michigan, now
absent on account of domestic affiction.
MIR. Davis, in reply TO MIR. Fessenden, adyo-
Gated the right OF the claimants for seats as
southern Senators and Representatives TO be
present and cross examine witnesses.
Mr.. Davis proceeded TO read Mr.. Graham's
statement in the Ipteli9encer. Having read for
half an hour he was called to order by
MIR. Chandler, who insisted that there was
no question before the Senate.
Mr.. Fessenden said he had yielded to Mr.
Davis for him to read Mr.. Graham's letter, but
1t was evident now that he was reading the
editorials and news columns of the paper.
MT. Davis said he was reading an explana-
ton of the case by Major Lawrence.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Davis reading, MT.
Fessenden rose TO say that if Mr.. Graham de-
fpS in no 10
of North Carolina, he could do so.
Mr.. Wilson presented a bill to equalize the
bounties of soldiers in the late war. 1t gives a
bounty of eight and a third dollars per mon tn
to all soldiers, deductng all bounties hereto
fore paid, and excludes from the benefits of
the act all deserters and all men DISCHARGED
at their own request from the service. Re-
ferred to the Military Committee.
HoUsE.-The House was called upon for bills
and resolutions.
Mr.. Dawson, Of Pennsylvania, introduced
cannot guaranty the bonds of Mexico or any
other nation. and endorsing Mr.. jefferson :
principle Of avoiding s'entangling alliances"
The House having refused to second a de-
went over under the rule.
MT Ancona,! OF Pennsylvania, offered ioin.
resolution providing for an adjournment of
Congress, to be arranged by the presiding off
GERS OF the two houses for the - day of MAY,
1850. The resolution was agreed to.
MIR. Cullom, Of H.. offered joint resolution
making an amendment to the Constitu ton
which provides that no person except a citizen
OF the United States. who has at all times borne
true allegiance thereto, shall ever hold office
under the United States. The resolution was
referred 10 the Reconstruction Committee.
Several other bills and resolutions were pre-
sented and referred, and the morning hour
having expired, the motion of Mr.. Beaman. OF
Mich, to lay on the table the motion Of Mr..
Garfield, of Ohio, to reconsider the vote by
WI .ch the loan bill was rejected on FRIDAY
night, came up as unfinished business.
As the vote on this motion was generally ex-
pected to involve the fate Of the loan bill. the
call OF the yeas and nays was attended with
considerable interest. At the conclusion of the
roll call, the result was announced as follows:
Yeas. 20: nays, 7s.
So the House refused TO lay on the table the
motion to reconsider the vote by which the bill
was rejected.
Messrs. Broomall, OF Penna, and Boutwell,,
of Mass, addressed the House in opposition TO
the bill, and Mr.. Garfield, of Ohio, the mover
Of the resolution to reconsider, followed in
some remarks in favor Of the bill.
The vote was then taken on the motion TO re-
consider the bill, and at 25 minutes after two
o'clock the result was announced as follows
Yeas, 81; nays, 81.
So the House decided to reconsider the vote
rejecting the bill.