The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-01-23

XIX cOHGRHss-rnsT sEssI0H
WAsHIsoros, January 70, 1865.
SENATE.
Mr.. Sumner pselentsd the ipemusial Of ths
Boston Board Of Trade, asking for the pas
sage of law to exempt Norshsrn creditor,
from the operations Of Southern Statutes o.
of Limitation, which was referred to the Ju.
dietary Committee.
| Mr.. Clarke called up the bill in relation Ia
the quali6cations for jurors, providing that
no juror shall be disqualified from acting on q
grand or petit jury BY reason Of his having
formed or expressed an opinion upon the
matter to be submitted 70 such jury, founded
on public rumor, newspaper stAtements, &c.
The bill was made the special order for
Thursday. T rfsss
The bill for the enlargement of the Freed
mems Bureau was taken up; the pending
question being upon Mr.. Collins amendment
to limit the Jurisdiction Of the Burean TO the
States lately in rebellion.
After debate, Mr.. Cofiin's amendment was
rejected.
Mr.. Fessenden, from the Special Comnit-
tee on Reconstruction, reported joint reso-
luton to amend the Constitution by providing
apportioned among the several States which
may be included within this Union, according
to their respective numbers, counting the
whole number of persons in each State, ex-
cluding Indians not taxed, provided that
whenever the elective franchise shall be de-
MED or obstructed in any State on account of
raes or eolef, all persons of such rsce or
color shall be excluded from the basis of
representation.
Mr.. Davis moved to strike out the provis-
ion extending military jurisdiction and pro-
lection to agents and employees of the
Bureau; rejected, against 81.
An amendment was adopted restricting
military jurisdiction to offenses pertaining 70
the Bureau.
Several other amendments we're offered and
rejected.
The Executive session then adjourned.
Mr.. Fessenden, from the Joint Committee
on the condition Of the RebelIious States,
reported the iol1owiag Joint Resolution:
ResolrcA By the Senate and House of Rep
resentatives Of the United States Of America
in Congress assembled, two-thirds of both
Houses concurring, that the following Article
be proposed to the Legislaturss OF the several
States as an amendment to the Constitutions
Of the United States, which, when ratified by
three-fourths of said Legislatures. shall be
voted as part of said Constitution, viz
Article. Representatives and direct
taxes shall be apportioned among the several
States which may be included within this
Union, according TO their respective numbers,
counting the whole number Of persons in each
State, excluding Indians not taxed, provided
that whenever the elective franchise shall be
denied or abridged in any State on account of
race or color, all persons of such race or
color shall be excluded from the basis of
representation.
Mr.. Clarke called up the bill in relation to
the qualification of jurors, and in relation to
writs Of error in certain cases, which provides
rs follows
SECTION l. That no person shall be disqual-
ifed to act upon any grand or petit jury by
reason OF having formed Or expressed opinion
1t the matter or cause to be submitted TO such
jury, founded upon public rumors, statements
In pablo journals of common notoriety; pro
vided that he be otherwise competent, or it
shall appenr to the satisfaction Of the Court,
upon his declaration under oath or otherwise
that he can and will, Notwithstanding such
opinion, act impartially and fairly upon the
matter submitted to him.
SecrIoN 2. That any question oflaw arising
upon the trial of any person in any District or
Circuit Court of the United States or IN the
Supreme Court of the District of Columbia,
for foE sn,.s any Sfsnss that pgnishysH yAe{sof MY
Court of the United States by a writ of error
to be sued out within sixty days after the en-
try of final Judgment in such case in courts
below, and thereupon proceedings shall be
stayed in said courts, and the questions of law
heard and determined in the Supreme Court of
the United States and such order sent to the
court believing Affirming or Feverting the
judgment as the determination Of such ques-
tons of law may require.
Mr.. Sumner thought there were serious OBJ
jections to the above. it was an exposte facto
law. He thought i YES contrary 10 the fu.
iing OF Chief Jsstice MAshah ID the case of
Aaron Burr.
Mr.. Davis'concurred In the opinion of Mr..
Sumner. DE had TO sympathy for Jefferson
Davis, whose case the bill was intended to
cover. He did not think, however, that any
lover of the Union ought to have unkind feel
ing for the distinguished criminal, because to
his conduct more than any thing else we were
indebted for the failure Of the Confederaey.
On motion, the bill was postponed until
Thursday.
Mr.. Anthony called up resolution to refer
a!s Eapsrs anq:docpaents on the Shb4ect d. ffA.
presenting the lately rebellious States, to
The special Committee On Reeoastruction.
The question was ON amendment Of M.
Doolttle, IA insert after werd papers, the
words except credentials.
NJ. Doolittle said that explanations had
been made to him aimee the offering in this
amendment, that satisfied him it vas not the
intention Of the resolution to include creden-
tiah. He therefore withdrew, and the
amendment resolution was then passed.
Mr.. 1rumbull called up the bin to enlarge
the powers Of the Freedmen Bureau.
The question was upou the amendment Of
Mr.. Cowan, to limit ths i1gisaich0ti a0f ttNe
RuEa44 to ths States lately in rebellion. q =
M Cresxell, Of Aarylsnd,, hoped the
amendment would not be adopted, II would
excempt Maryland from the operations of the
bill, and would therefore have = bad effect.
He had bsen relishly informed that returned
rebel soldiers werd prosecuting the freedmen
In Maryland, and the intefventi0n of the
Freedmen Bureau was necessary to prevent
thia. ~ @4kII SsS q
Mr.. Wilson said it would be remembered
that from the time Mr.. Trumbull, ON the 22d
of July, 1861, reported IN favor Of making free
the slaves used by the rebels for military, par-
posesy up 10 the psss6ge thfongh he Hease of
Representatives the other day Of the suffrage
bill for tbs plstI1ift n cSlppbis, Il had
the Aosioa Of the Union party on those sub
iects, and although in every sinels case tbeir
predictions have been false by the fact, and