Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-01-11
News by Telegraph
ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCHES
Proceedings OF Congress.


WASHINGTON, Jan'y 10.
SESArE.-Mr. Wilson introduced a bill to increase
and fix the peace establishment of the United States
| army.
1t provides for seven regiments of artillery, ten Of
cavalry and sixty of infantry, each arm 10 have
proportion of colored troops Differed by whites
Referred TO the Military Committee.
The bill TO regulate the elective franchise in the
District of Columbia was read and referred to the
Committee on the District.
| Mr.. Howe offered q resolution declaring that the
States lately in rebellion had forfeited their rights
States, and it was for Congress to say when these
rights should be restored
lie made Il speech denying the indestTuctibity Of
the State Governments. He said they were things Of
human origin and were made and emade by men.
He denied the right Of the President to restore the
rebel States. His duties were only executive. Mr..
Howe advocated the appointment of Provisional
Governors and Judges for them, giving Congress the
power to veto all acts calculated to njure any class
lie would also give them delegates.
HOUsE.-Mr Davis of New York, offered a reso-
luton expressing confidence in the President, and
pledcng the House to support him in his general
prnciple of restoration in all the modes authorized
Ly the Constitution, consistent with the security of
Republican institutions Referred TO the Committee
I on Reconstruction.
The House proceeded to the consideration of the
bill to extend the right Of suffrage in the District of
| Columbia
Mr. Wilson, of Iowa, made a speech in favor of
the bill. In the course of which, he said that the
social element here losterel secession, and he had
no doubt that u large majority of those who, the
other day, voted against negro suffrage, would have
voted for slavery.
| Mr. Boyle, of Pennsylvania, opposed the BILL not
only on local grounds but on the ground of princi-
pie This is n white mans Government. He said
the bill inaugurated the first act in the political
drama to eliminate in the equality of the races.
Mr.. Scolicld, of Pennsylvania, expressed views
against the colonization of negroes lie said there
was no better place to begin the work OF free sul
frage which would inspire the coorcd race with
selr.rcspect, than the District Of Columbia.
Mr.. Keely, of Pennsylvania, also made speech
in favor of negro suffrage.
The President to-day, in response to resolution
of the Senate, transmitted a message enclosing the
reports of the Secretary of War and Attorney Gene
ral in reference to the charges which Jefferson
Davis is confined, aud why he is not brought to
trial.
He invites the attention of the Senate to that por
ton of his annual message referring to Congress the
question relating to the holding of the circuit courts
in the districts where their authority has been in
terrupted. The Secretary of War states that Davis
has been indicted by the Supreme Court Of the Dis
trct of Columbia for high treason; also with the
crime of melting the assassination of President Lin
coin, and with the cruel treatment of Union prison
ers of war lie also says that the President, deem
ing it eXpedicnt that Davis should first be pm upon
his trial before 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 of Virginia That State is in the judicial cir
cult assigned to the Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court who has held no court there since the appre.
hensiOn of Davis, and who declares for an indef-
mite period to do So Other prominent parties are
mentioned in the Secretary's report, charged
with various reasonable offences against the
Government, some Of whom have been classed
by the Government TO await trial for
the alleged offences. On their application for am
nesty and pardon the Attorney General says he has
ever thought the civil courts have alone jurisdiction
of the crime of high treason, and pronOunces the
opinion that Davis, and Others of the insurgents,
ought to be tried in some one of the States or Dis
trcts in whickthey in person especially controlled
the crimes with which they may he charged Though
active hOstilitcs and fragrant war have not for some
time existed between the United States and the in
surgents peaceful relations between the Government
and the people in those States have not yet been
fully restored. None of the Justices of the Su-
preme Court have held Circuit Courts in those States
and Districts since hostties ceased. When the
courts are open and The laws can be peacefully aG
minstered and enforced in those States whose
people have rcbelled against the Government
when this peace shall come in fact and in law, the
prisoners now held in military custody as prisoners
of war, and who may not have been tried and COM
mtted for offences against the laws of war, should be
transferred into the custody of the civil authorities
of the people of the districts to be tried for the high
crimes ana misdemeanors as may be alleged against
them. He thinks it the plain duty of the President
criminal proaoeutons to be instituted before
the proper tribunals at the proper time against some
Of those who were mainly instrumental in inaugu-
rating, and most conspicuous in conducting the late
hostilities.
IL wOuld regard il as a dmeful calamity il many
whom the sword has spared the law should spare
also, but would deem it a most direful calamity
STILL if the Executive in performing his Constitu-
tonal duty in bringing these persons before the bar
of justice to answer violates the plain meaning Of
the Constitution or infringe in the least particular
the living spirit of that instrument.