Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-20
TEL GEOGRAPHIC NEWS.
ceedings Of Congress. -
WASHINGTON, March 1

/ l"IAt WAshiNurVN, marcn ~.
4 SEsArE-Mr. Sumner presented the petition of
citizens of New York, earnestly asking that no
State that rebeled should be admitted as govern.
ing partner into the Union, without adequate secu.
rity for the future Referred to the Committe on Re-
construction.
Mr. Wilson presented the petition Of several colored
men, who represent that they once the slaves OF
Geo. w. P. Gusts, who in his will freed them, and
provided for their support from the property left by
him. They ask that q portion of the Arlington
estate be set apart for their benefit The petition was
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr.. Fessenden rose to. personal explanation. He
found in the National Intelgencer of the 18th in.
slant letter from William A. Graham, claimant
for seat in the Senate from North Carolina, in re.
ply to his (Fessendens) remarks, few days ago,
concerning the nature of the investigations carried
on BY the Committee of Fifteen. This letter Of Mr..
Graham's was intended to convey the impression
that the investigations were not impartial. MIR.
Graham had written to him (Fessenden) making two
reouests-one that the witnesses suggested by him
(Graham) should be examined, and another that the
REPRESENTATIVES and Senators from these Stats be
allowed to be present to crossexamne the witnesses
The last request was not complied with, because it
was not customary, in cases OF investigation
by committee, and because the proceedings OF the
committee were not in the nature OF criminal IN
vestigation when crossexaminations were necessary
He Fessenden) did not regard the lately rebellious
States in the light Of criminals ON trial. nor was he
acting in the capacity of prosecutor.
Another error of Mr. Graham's was, his belief that
the testimony had closed because it had been ordered
to be printed 1t had not closed except in the case
of Tennessee In the case of North Carolina, no
testimony had yet been printed it all being in the
hands Of Mr. Howard of Michigan, now absent on
account of domestic affection.
Mr. Davis, in reply to Mr.. Fessenden, advocated
the right of the claimants for seats as Southern
Senators and Representatives, to be present and
cross. examine witnesses. Mr.. Davis proceeded to
read Mr.. Graham's statement in the IntelHgencer.-
Having read for half hour, he was called to order
by Mr.. Chandler who insisted that there was no
question before the Senate.
hir Fessenden said he had yielded the floor to Mr..
Davis for him to read Mr.. Graham's letter. but it
was evident now that he was reading the editorials
and news columns of the paper.
Mr.. Davis said he was reading an explanation Of
the case by Major Laurence. At the conclusion of
Mr. Davis reading, Mr.. Fessenden said that if Mr..
Graham desired to introduce further testimony 10 the
case ri North Carolina he could do so.
HoUeE.-Mr. Dawson, Of Pennsylvania, introduced
resolutions declaring that the United States cannot
guarantee the bonds of Mexico or any other nation
and endorsing Mr.. Jeherson's principle Of avoiding
0entangling alliances" The House having refused
to second a demand for the previous question, the
resolutions went over under the rules.
Mr.. Ancona of Pennsylvania offered joint reso
luton providing for the adjournment of Congress for
the - day of May, 1856. The resolution was
agreed to.
Mr.. Cullom, of Illinois, offered joint resolution
making an amendment to the Constitution, which
provides that no person. except citizen of the Uni.
ted States, who has at all times borne true ALE
glance thereto shall ever hold Office under the Uni
ted States Government. The resolution was referred
TO the Reconstruction Committee.
The House reconsidered the vote by which the
Loan Bill was rejected, and recommitted it to the
Committee of Ways and Means