Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-02-10
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
WASHINGTON, Jan. %.

CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 90.
SENATE-Grimes offered resolution
rendering thanks of Congress to Rear
Admiral Farragut and the officers and
men under him, Tor their gallant con-
duct In the engagement in Mobile Bay,
on the 10th of August, 1864 Referred
to the committee ON naval affairs.
Sherman offered bill, which was re.
ferred TO the military committee. au-
thorizing the President to appoint, at
the request of any college capable OF
educating one hundred and fifty young
men, military officer to act as Presi-
dent or Superintendent, and to give in
structions in the military service.
Sherman, from the committee on
public lands, reported bill TO grant a
million of acres of the public lands for
the use of the public schools of the
District of Columbia.
Ramsey, of Minnesota. presented a
memorial from the st. Paul board of
rade, asking for the improvement of
the upper Mississippi river and such
commercial arrangements with the
British provinces as will secure the free
dom of the Welland and st. Lawrence
canal to American vessels, and enlarge
ment of these canals by the Canadian
government to a capacity sufficient to
pass vessels of one thousand tons, from
Lake Superior or Chicago and the ocean;
also that the joint commission repre-
senting the governments of states and
provinces, shall be authorized with the
view to liberal and satisfactory system
of a reciprocal treaty. Referred to the
committee on commerce.
Yates introduced the following which
was referred to the joint Committee on
Reconstruction:
WHEREAS, The Constitution of the United
States abolishes slavery in all the States and
Terri les of the United States. whereby all
constitutions, laws or regulations OF any
State or Territory in aid OF slavery. or grow
ing out of the same, are null and void; and
whereas, by virtue OF said abolition OF
slavery, all men in all the States and Terri
tories are citizens entitled to al the rights
and privileges of citizens, subject only to legal
disabilities and applicable to white persons;
and whereas, also, 1T Is expressly PROVIDED
that Congress shall have power to enforce, by
appropriate legislation, the aforesaid power
slavery, which can not be done
without protecting all citizens against all
restrictions, penalties or deprivations of right
resulting from slavery, and securing 20 them
all their civil and political rights, including the
elective franchise.
Therefore be it enacted, &C.. That no Stat
or Territory of the United States shall by any
law or other regulation whatever,
heretofore in force or hereafter to be adopted,
make or enforce, or in any manner recognize
any distinction between the citizens OF the
Efaf 0F nf am State TERRITORY.
account ofrace or color, or condition, and that
hereafter all citizens, without distinction OF
race, color or condition, shall be protected In
the full and equal enjoyment and exercise OF
al their civil and political rights, including
tn right of suffrage.
Wilson. from the military committee,
joint resolution authorizing
the Secretary TO grant the use of por-
ton of the military reserve ON. the st.
Clair river, in the State of Michigan,
for railroad purposes. Which was
passed. '.
HoUsE-Farquhar offered reso
luton which was agreed to, instructing
the committee on the District of Column
bia to report bill to amend the cleo
ton laws of the district, so as to exclude
from the exercise of the right of suf-
frage therein all persons who have
borne arms against the United
States, or have accepted Office from
rebels, during the late rebellion.
The house resumed the considera-
ton of the amendment to the constitu
ton, apporiioning direct taxation and
as reported from the
select committee on reconstruction.
Raymond, of n. Y, spoke upon the
subject. Gen. Sherman here entered
the hall and received great attention.
Three cheers were proposed for Mai.
Gen. Sherman. They were enthusias-
ticalIy given. Gen. Sherman acknowl-
edged the compliment by saying: 81
am more accustomed to cheering, such
as has been given by you, than to pitch
ing my voice to reach all parts of this
room whiee never entered before, save
in those galleries. l can simply say. L
thank you from my heart for this recep-
ton. Ihope j may continue to deserve
the good wishes you express-l shall
endeavor to do all / can to that end"
The speaker then introduced to Gen.
Sherman the members. Fgta 1a.
The house then resumed its business.
Raymond's speech lasted two hours. 4
He was followed by Julian, when the
previous question was ordered.
: - IWAsHINeFoN, Jan. 20.
SENATE.-Mr. Fessenden introduced
a resolution, which was adopted, au-
the payment of ten thousand
dollars, or SO much thereof as is neces-
sary to defray the expenses of the Joint
on Reconstruction. 80
Wilson introduced bill providing
for national defense, by establishing an
active volunteer militia throughout the
United States. All able bodied citizens
between the ages of 20 and 45 to be en-
rolled, with the exceptions similar to