Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-02-02
ooNenEss1oNAL suMMANN.
MONDAY. JANUARY %

that no State or territory of the United
States shall, by any constitution, law, or
other regulation, make or enforce, or in any
manner recognize any distinctions between
citizens of the United States, or of any
State or territory, on account of race, or
color, or condition. Referred to the Com
mittee on Reconstruction. Mr.. Harris i'll
troduced bill to rcorganizc the Judiciary
Of the United States. Mr.. Wilson offered a
bill to increase the number of cadets and to
raise the standard of admission to the mill
tary academy. Mr.. Sherman, bill to pro-
mote military education. A remonstrance
| of citizens of Buffalo against the revival of
the Reciprocity treaty was presented. Also
a petition from citizens of Pennsylvania
asking for an amendment TO the Constitu-
tion prohibiting distinction in civil rights on
account OF color The Committee on Public
Lands reported bill to grant million of
acres of the public land for the benefit of the
public schools in the District of Columbia.
The bill to restrict the amount of fees for
collecting the claims OF soldiers to ten dol
lars each was passed, The bill to protect
all persons in the enjoyment of their civil
rights, and to furnish the means of their
vindcation, was called up. Mr.. Trumbull
offered an amendment declaring all persons
of African descent, born in the United States
citizens of the United States, and supported
it in speech of considerable length. Mr.
Salisbury opposed the bill, and without
action, the Senate went into an Executive
Session. Adjourned.
The House of Representatives passed the
resolution complimenting the President for
his refusal to accept gift from the citizens
of New York. Mr. Julian offered resolu-
tion declaring that the prompt trial of Jefier-
son Davis is demanded by the people of the
United States. Laid over under the rules
Mr. Miller introduced bill to exempt from
taxation the Pennsylvania Institution for
the instruction of the Blind. The Commit
tee on the District of Columbia, by resolu-
ton, was instructed TO report bill to amend
the election laws of the District So as to
exclude from the exercise of suffrage therein,
all persons who have voluntarily borne arms
against the United States, or accepted office
from the rebels. General Sherman appeared
in the Hall, and short recess was taken.
The distinguished officer was greeted with
three cheers, and was then introduced to
the members by the Speaker in brief
speech, which was responded to by General
Sherman. After a general handshaking
business was resumed. The constitutional
amendment relative to representation and
direct taxation was taken up, and discussed
until the adjournment
TUESDAY, JANUARY 80.
In the United States Senate, on Tuesday,
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill to provide for
the national defence by establishing uni
form militia, and organizing an active vol
unteer militia throughout the United States.
Referred to the Military Committee. The
Committee on Post Offices and POST Roads,
by resolution, was instructed to inquire
into the expediency of authorizing the Post
Office Department TO construct and operate
telegraph lines along the principal mail
| routes, or to contract with such lines as may
be already established for the use and con
troll of such lines, and in connection with
its postal business to establish offices for the
prompt transmission of dispatches under
proper regulations and at fixed minimum
rates. Petitions for the abolition of all dis
tinctions on account of color were presented
by Messrs. Sumner and Howard. A resolu-
ton authorizing the appropriation of $4,000
to defray the expenses of the Reconstruction
Committee was adopted The Judiciary
Committee reported that John p, Stockton
had been duly elected Senator from New
Jersey, and is entitled to seat from March
A, 1865. The bill to protect all persons in
the United States in the enjoyment of their
civil rights was then taken up, the pending
question being on the amendment declaring
all persons of African descent, born in this
country, citizens of the United States.
lengthy discussion ensued, and without ac
tion the Senate adjourned.
The House of Representatives received
from the President the report of the Acting
Secretary of State in regard to the surrender
of the pirate Shenandoah. Also, a repor
from the Provost Marshal General relative
to the enlistment of one hundred day men
A resolution inviting three of the Arl1ansa
delegation to seats in the House was dsa
greed to. A resolution authorizing tn
printing of 10000 copies of the detaic,
report of all manufactures in the Unite,
, States was adopted. The consideration @
the proposed amendment to the Constitution
n relative to representation and direct taxato
was then resumed, and the subject wa
referred TO the Committee on Reconstruction
+, The resolution directing the committee o
= Claims to reject all claims referred to it fc
examination by citizens of any of the lat
:. rebellious States, growing out of damage
property by the army or navy, was adoptct
V after some discussion. A bill providing fC
If a ship canal from the Mississippi river
Lake Michigan was introduced Mr.. Kassc
n offered resolution instructing the Reco
>, struction Committee to consider the exp
IL diency of submitting for adoption by Il
a Legislatures or conventions of the late rebC
=. lious States, as fundamental compact b
n tween each of said States and the Unitt
i. States, propositions that no ordinance whit
70 shall cause, intend Or permit secession sha
10 ever be adopted; that rights in courts shp
be enjoyed by all persons, without distin
,f ton Of color; that the right to acquire pr
"a perty shall be enjoyed on equal terms by
:, persons native born, without distinction
race or color; and that no law, ordinance
Il. regulation, recognizing any debt contracts
j. in aid of the rebellion shall ever lie passe
n, Referred The Senate bill to enlarge Ii
.. powers Of the Freedmens Bureau was co