Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1866-02-23
CONGRESSIONAL SUMMARY.

FEBRUARY l3th.-In the Senate, MIR.
Morgan, of New York, presented the Gre
dentials of Gov Parsons, Of Alabama.
They were received and at Mr.. Morgan's
request were laid upon the table. Several
petitions for the equalization ofthe bounty,
an increase Of the duty on inspected arti
cles, and for equality of civil and political
rights, were presented and referred. Mr..
Fessenden reported joint resolution from
the Committee on Reconstruction TO amend
the Constitution by this article: Congress
shall have power to make all laws necessary
and proper 10 secure to the citizens ofcach
State the privileges and immunitics Of the
several States, and to all persons Of the
several States equal protection in the rights
of life, liberty and property" The joint
resolution for amending the Constitution
was taken up, and Mr. Henderson proceed
cd to make long and interesting speech.
In the House little was done save listening
to the report of the Committee on Elections
in regard 10 the contested election case
from Michigan. The majority report was
in favor ofMr. Trowbridgc, while minor-
ty report in favor of Mr.. Baldwin, a motion
having been made for the admission Of one
of the Arkansas delegation to the privileges
OF the floor of the House Quite long
and animated discussion took place.
FEBRUARY l4th.-In the Senate Mr.
Grimes presented the petition of Messrs.
Cooper, Stokes, Maynard, and others, from
Tennessee, asking that the existing State
Government be recognized as the legitimate
one, aud that the State be admitted to her
former rights. Referred to the Committee
on Reconstruction, as also were number
of petitions praying for an equality Of.
political rights, without distinction ofcolor.
Mr.. Sumner presented petition from New
England women praying that no distinction
in sex be made in the bestowal of the cleo
tive franchise. The petition was referred
amendment was then called up, and Mr..
Henderson,, of Missouri finished hisrcmarks
of the day before. Mr.. Clark, of New
Hampshire. advocated the enfranchisement
Of the blacks. Bills were introduced ma
king appropriations for the improvement
of navigation in the Mississippi river, and
also the Minnesota. The House passed
bill placing at the disposal of the New York
Commissioners Ct Quarantine, in anticipa-
ton of cholera, such vessels or hulks as are
not required for the service of the Govern
ment. A bill was introduced by Mr.
Garfield, providing for national bureau
of education. The Postofiice Committee
reported bill authorizing the Postmaster
General to deposit postage stamps with
certain persons, taking security for pay
ment. The Michigan contested election
case was finally settled in favor Of Mr..
Trowbridge.
FEBRUARY 15th.-In the House bill
was reported from the Committee on
appropriations, for the service of the
Postoftice Department from the lst fJune
next. 1t was made the special order for
next Thursday. a petition was presented
from the photographers, praying for an
amendment to the excise law relating to
their business and from citizens of New
York, praying for protection to American
industry by a duty on imports. The bill
to allow stamps and stamped envelopes to
be sent South in charge of persons, desig-
mated as receivers, was then taken up, but
without taking action postponed further
consideration for two weeks. A bill, pro-
viding for sundry amendments in the
existing postal law, was reported. In
Committee of the Whole, the House con-
sidered tho Miscellaneous Appropriation
bill. In the evening three or four speeches
were made on the reconstruction question.
In the Senate, bill was introduced by
Senator Brown, Of Missouri, providing for
the payment to that State Of about seven
million dollars for the expenses of troops
called out to aid in supprcssing the rebel
hon. Petitions were presented for an
equality in political rights, for q bridge
across the Mississippi at st. Louis, for a
reduction Of excise duties on agricultural
implements, and for an increase ofpay from
officers of the army. The joint resolution
Of the Ohio Legislature, against the as
sumption by the General Government Of
any part ofthe war debt of any ofthe States,
was presented by Mr.. Wade, The consti-
tptional amendment was then debated.
After en- executive session, tho Senate
adjourned