Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-02-01
PROCEEDINGS OF coNGnEss--.ruEsp,y.

wAsHISriToN, January 30.-In the United States
Senate Yesterday, Senator Wilson introduced bill
providing for the national defence by establishing
uniform force, and organizing an active volunteer
militia Throughout the United states, lt declares
that all able-boded citizens, or those who have de-
clared their intention to become citizens between
twenty and forty-fve years of age, shall he enrolled
in the militia.
The Committee on Postoflices and Post Roads
were instructed to enquire into the expediency OF
authorizing the POstofice Department TO construct
and operate telegraph lines along the prin-
Cipal mail routes, or such of them as it
may deem necessary, or to contract with
such lines as may already be established,
and in connection with its postal business to estab-
sh offices for the safe and speedy transmission of
dispatches. \ motion was adopted appropriating
$4,000 for the expenses of the Committee on Re.
construction. resolution as passed calling upon
the President for copy Of the report of General
Sherman of his observations in States within his de-
partment in his recent tour of inspection Mr. Trum.
bull, from the Judiciary Committee. submitted
report declaring Hon. John p Stockton duly elected
Senator from New jersey, and entitled to a
seat in the Senate from the 4th of March, 1865
The report was ordered to be printed Mr.
Trumbulrs bill to protect all persons in the
United States in the enjoyment of their civil
rights, and 10 furnish the means of their yind!-
cation, was taken up and Mr.. Trumbull withdrew
the amendment he offered on Monday declaring all
persons of African descent born in this country,
citizens of the United States and submitted another
declaring that all persons born in the United
States not subject to any foreign power hereby
declared to be citizens OF the United States without
any distinction of color" After considerable dis
cussion, Mr.. Lane, of Kansas offered an amendment
to that of Mr. Trumbull, proposing to insert after the
words foreign power the words tribal authOri-
ty," having reference to the authority Of Indian
chiefs. Mr. johnson, of Maryland addressed the
Senate up to the hour of adjournment against the
hill that tyOuI with nf
Maryland and other States.
In the United States House of Representatives
yesterday. a message received from the Presi-
dent in reference 10 the surrender of the pirate
Shenandoah, which was referred 10 the Commit
tee Foreign Affairs. \ bill providing for the
better organization of the pay department OF the
navy was referred TO the Committee on Naval
Affairs. resolution that Messrs Byers Kyle
and Johnson, Representatives elect from Arkan-
sas, be invited 10 occupy seats in the Hall of
Representatives until otherwise ordered, was dis.
agreed to--yeas o., nays "a. Mr.. Latin the
Chairman of the Committee on Printing, made
an explanation that the expense OF printing for
the last Republican Congress was S7OO 6lS, and
not 81 900 900 as had been asserted by some
Democratic members. The consideration of lie con.
stitutonal amendment regulating representation and
taxation was resumed, when the proposed amend
ment and all the pending propositions, were referred
to the Committee on Reconstruction, without in
structiOns. The resolution reported some time since
by the Committee On Claims, declaring that until
otherwise ordered the Committee on Claims be in
structed to reject all claims referred to them for eX
animation by citizens Of any OF the States lately
in rebellion, growing ont OF the destruction or
appropriation Of, or damage to, property by the
army or navy while engaged in Suppressng the re-
belIon adopted Mr.. kaSson submitted q series
of resolutions for the consideration of the Joint Com
mittee Reconstruction, in order to be submittedt
the States ately in rebellion, with view to f0uda
mental compact, proposing that no ordinance shall
eySs DE passed by them relieving the people or States
from their obedience TO the Constitution and Union
that all, without regard to color race shall have
equal rights before the LAW aud that no debt incurred
in any way to carry on rebellion shall be assumed or
paid. The &anate bill enlarging the powers OF the
FreediAeIs Bureau was taken up and discussed TO
the hour of adjournment.