Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-12-11

personal explanation, said that he had reason
to believe that as early as May last the Execu-
tive Department of the Government knew Of
the whereabouts of John I'll. Surratt, and that
the House, representing the people, would in
quire whether the President had taken the pro-
per steps in the matter.
The House adjourned <
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec 5.-On leave being Civ
en-, Mr. Wade introduced bill for the admis-
sion Of the State Of Nebraska into the Union.
The bill was read for a second time and laid on
the table for the time being.
I. Mr.. Dickson contradicted the statement made
by Mr. Chandler, in regard to the sale of par
dons, and said that there was no truth in it, al
though he was not at liberty to state the real
facts of the case now He hoped the bill would
be referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Sumner introduced his resolution in re-
gard to true reconstruction and the duty Of
Congress" in relation thereto. He then read a
letter from Texas, alleging that the Government
sition to the Union, as well as that the State
Legislature aimed to practically restore the re-
lation of slavery. The resolution was laid over
A number bills, ETC., previously introduced,
We're. referred to appropriate committees
The Senate concurred in the joint resolution
from the House, empowering the Committee on
Reconstruction appointed last session, to con-
tinue its labors.
The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr.. Williams, (Rep.) of Penn, moved to re-
consider the bill regulating appointments to Of
/ fee, which unsupported by him last session.
He proceeded to state his reasons for making
| the motion at this time. The bill, he said, was
OF great national Importance. He discussed
deliberately the policy which should govern ap-
pointments to and removals from office, COM
batting the idea that the President has OF
should have an irresponsible power to appoint
and remove, and quoting freely from political
authorities and legal decisions in support of his
position.
Amendments were offered to the bill by
Messrs Wilson, of Iowa, Stevens, of Penn
sylvania, and Hale, of New York, and, on mo-
ton Of Mr.. Garfield, of Ohio, the bill, with the
amendments suggested, was ordered to be print
ed, and made special order for tomorrow
Mr.. Lawrence, from the Judiciary Commit
offences against the Union, forming or express
ing an opinion shall not disqualify juror
Mr.. Stevens opposed the bill. He was in "a
yor of Furnishing traitors, and not by er post
| tacto laws. The bill was deferred till Monday.
After other unimportant action, the House
adjourned.
SENATE.
| WASHINGTON, Dec Con- motion Of Mr..
Morrill,, Of Maine, bill to provide for the de-
fence Of the Northeastern boundary, was refer
red to the Committee on Foreign Relations
Mr. Poland gave notice that on Monday next
he would call up the House bill to establish a
uniform system Of bankruptcy throughout the
| United States.
| Mr. Wilson gave notice that early next week
he would call up the bill to disband the exist
States.
| On motion, the Senate adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Mr.. Washburne, (Rep.,) of Illinois, offered a
resolution that the Committee on Post Offices
| and Post Roads be instructed to inquire into
the expediency of comforting upon the Postoffice
Department the same jurisdiction over the vari
Gus telegraph lines that is now exercised by il
over postofhces and post roads, and to report by
! bill or otherwise. The resolution was agreed
| to. =
Mr. briggs resolution calling upon the Post
master General to communicate to the House
| the names of postmasters removed since the adj
| journment of the last session of Congress, and
the reasons for such removals; also, if the sala-
| ries Of their successors were increased over the
former salaries, and the reasons for such In
crease, was agreed to-
The Speaker announced that the Williams
| bill to regulate appointments to office, which
was made special order for to-day, would now
be taken up.
Mr. Williams offered an amendment and then
moved that the consideration of the bill be post
poned until Monday. Agreed to.
Mr.. Thayer, of Pennsylvania, offered reso-
luton calling upon the President to inform the
House whether any portion Of Mexican territory
has been occupied by troops Of the United
States, and by what authority and for what
purpose. The resolution was laid over under
| the rule
Mr.. .Kasson, of Iowa, offered resolution on
which he demanded the previous question, call
ing upon the Judiciary Committee to consider
the propriety Of making it the duty ofthe Presi-
dent to proclaim martial-law in those districts
of the lately rebellious States where murders
and other outrages have been committed upon
| Union people, and the local authorities have
| failed or refused to arrest and punish the Of
| tenders. Agreed to-
| The bill to fix the time for the meeting of
Congress was taken up, and gave rise to de-
| bate in which Messrs. Shenck, Stevens, Morrill,,
| of VT, Dawes Garfield and Leblond took part,
after which the bill was laid over until after the
| morning hour ON Monday.
/ The House then adjourned until Monday