Smyrna times., 1866-02-21
Congress.

The proceedings last week are not of much
general interest, and may be briefly stated. In
the Senate, the credentials of Mr.. Parsons,
Senator from Alabama, were presented and
laid on the table. The military committee re.
ported back, with amendments, the bill to in
crease and fix the military peace establishment
Of the United States The force is to consist
of fifty regiments of infantry, twelve of caval-
ry, five Of artillery, &c, including eight color
ed regiments Of infantry. The amendments
strike out the provision for eighteen regiments
Of the reserved corps The reconstruction
committee reported joint resolution propoS-
ing another amendment to the constitution,
giving power to Congress to confer equal pro-
lection upon all the citizens Ofthc several States
as regards life, liberty and property. A reso-
luton of enquiry was adopted looking to fur
ther legislation in order to protect the lives of
passengers on Western waters. The PROPOSE
ton to fix a new basis Of representation was
then taken up, and Mr.. Henderson advocated
his amendment in favor Of universal suffrage.
Mr.. Williams, of Oregon, and other Senators,
have also made speeches upon the same sub
ject
Among the petitions presented was one from
Frederick Douglass and other colOrcd men,
who recently visited the President, protesting
against giving authority to any State to exclude
persons from exercising the elective franchise
on account Of race or color n favorable re-
port was made on the bill to reimburse MiSsOu
ri for moneys expended in raising troops to
put down the rebellion. The bill to prevent
kidnapping was next taken up and passed
In the House resolution was offered and
referred to the committee on foreign affairs,
rc-ailirming the Monroe doctrine with regard
to the establishment Of Monarchy in Mexico,
and requesting the President to invite an ALI
ance with all the republics on this continent to
resist French cncroachmcntS. BY n vote of -
to 20 the House laid on the table the resolution
to give the privilege of the floor to Mr.. John
son, Union representative elect from Arkan-
Sas Messrs. Harris, Mccullough, Phelps and
John l.. Thomas, of Maryland voted against
laying the resolution on the table.
In the House the annual post-0fice appro-
prlatlon bill was reported, after which the bill
providing for the sale of postage stamps and
stamped envelopes, on credit, in the Southern
States, was taken up, discussed and its fur
ther consideration postponed for two weeks =
In committee of the whole the bill making ap-
Preparations to supply deficiencies was discuss
ed, and motion to strike out the nppropria-
ton of 100000 for payment of claims due for
the construction and furnishing of the new
nted States courthouse in Baltimore was
voted down, after considerable debate Eari-
ouS other items IN the bill were considered and
retained.
In the Senate on Monday of this week. bill.
were introduced for civil rights and home
stcadS for negroes and for reduction Of the
duties on petroleum and agricultural implc-
mcntS. \ resolution torbidding the rcorgani-
zatlon OF military forces in the rcbelous States
was debated The Presidents message veto
ing the Freedmen ) Bureau bill was then read
amid intense excitement, but without action
upon It, the Senate adjourned.
In the House bills were introduced making
eight hours dAys work in the Government
workshops and repeating all laws excmpting
Government stock trOmtaXat,On. Con tit Iti, n
nj amendments prohibiting rebels from being
elected President, Vice President or Congress
men were read \ series of resolution. were
then introduced by Mr. Longycar: The first,
that the rebellion mas deprived the South of
civil government, was passed by a vote Of l02
to 56 nays. The second, that Congress shall
reorgan5c the State governments in the South
was passcd--yeas lO4, nays 33. The third,
that the President is justified in continuing
the suspension Of the habcaS corpus, was pass
GGd-yeas III, nays 29. The fourth, that the
President did right in maintaining military
possession of the South, was passed2yeas I3i.
nays ). ~ resolution detailing a steamer to
AID the Russian telegraph party, was debated
and passed A bill amending the law prohibit |
ing the importation Of foreign cattle was re-
ported The Committee on Elections reported !
that Mr.. Washburnc was entitled to the scat
now occupied by Mr.. Voorhees,.