Smyrna times., 1866-03-07
Proceedings of Congress.


AS regards practical legislation nothing OF
general interest transpired in Congress last
week.
The Senate on Tuesday passed the Joint re-
solution rendering the thanks OF Congress 10
the officers, soldiers and seamen for their serYI-
ces in putting down the rebellion; bill was
introduced to exempt from taxation, by otate
or local laws all lands granted to colleges ior
educational purposes. Inc Dlll 10 pro'Ile I4I ioI
a uniform system Of militia In the United
States was reported back from the military
committee, with slight amendments. a reSO-
lutiou was adopted requesting the President to
furnish information relating to the appointment
of Provisional Governors, under what law APP
pointed. &C. The resolution providing against
the admission of Southern Congressman, was
then taken up, when Mr.. Dixon, OF Conn.,, who
originally voted for the Freedmen's Bureau bill,
addressed the Senate at length, IN support OF
| the Presidents veto message. tie was ire
ouently interrupted by Mr.. TurnbuIl and others
and very lively discussion was kept up until
the hour of adjournment
In the House resolution was adopted cal
ling ON the President for information relative
to the distribution Of the rewards offered Tor
the capture of the conspiratOrs III April last
A bill was reported providing for partial res
toratiOn of the reciprocity treaty, which expires
in March, and also to repeal the fishing boun-
ties. Among the resolutions offered and re-
terred was one expressing, as the judgment OF
Congress, that if the French troops In Mexico,
were used after the late speech Of the Empe-
ror, it would be a violation of the faith and
pledge contained in such speech.
The House resumed the consideration OF the
proposed amendment TO the constitution giving
power to Congress to make all laws which
. shall be necessary to secure to the citizens OF
each State all privileges and immunlteS OF cltl-
Gems i'll the several States, and to all persons N
the several States equal protection IN the rights
; of life, liberty and property" This proposed
! amendment met with such strong opposition
from number of republican members that 9
motion to postpone its further consideration
? until the second Tuesday of April was carried
I by vote of ayes ll3, nays &c.
The military committee Of the House OF
Thursday reported back the joint resolution to
/ the disbandment of the militia of the late re
# bellouS States. The bill from the House Wa
is passed granting discretionary power TO tn
!. Secretary of the Treasury to allow the impOr
Is taton of cattle and hides from districts not in
: tccted blythe cattle disease Att.r tranSactln
other business the Senate took up the JOINT re
d solution providing against the admission
'e Congressman from the late rebellious States.
ID In the House the committee on ways an
Y, means was instructed to inquire as to the expo
v diency of reducing the duty on paper; and ais
i; as to refunding to the people of Chambcrobure
to Pa, who suffered by the Confederate invasion
h the amount of internal revenue tax paid b
We them in 1864. The House recOnsidered tn
I'd vote referring to the Judiciary committee tn
n Senate bill to protect all persons in their civ
rs rights, &c. Several amendments were the
SIS proposed and adopted, including one to cOnhr
Id the provisions of the bill to citizens" instea
all of inhabitants. y substitute for the b
OIL was next proposed, and after some debate II
ce bill was laid over. The bill to supply dehcie
er cies for civil expenses was then taken up, wh(
ne the appropriation of 800, 600 tor the purcha
n Of FOrd's Washington Theatre was agreed t
he A joint resolution was introduced and reterrt
Sc, to make eight hours a day work for all wOr
TO men and labOrerS in government employ.
elr In the Senate on Monday of this week re
cir olutiOn was adopted calling on the Preside
for information in regard to the kidnapping
es. negroes in the South and their sale as slaves
Cuba A joint resolution to provide for the
sumption of relations with the Southern Stat
.., was offered by Mr.. Wilson, of MasSachuSet
,eee o and referred to the reconstruction committt
'0l The representation amendment to the Cons
20 tuition was debated. The bill to reimburse VI
80 souri, for war expenses was then considered.
iUi ~. In the House, a resolution that the Unit
~. States guarantee the payment of interest on t
mmG new Mexican loan was, by the casting vote
,Lo the Speaker, read twice, and referred to
IA IA foreign committee. Concurrent resolutions
'nu lating to the admission of the South were p
scnted. The reconstruction committee repo
a cd resolutions for the admission of the Tenn
hi see delegation on certain conditions. The
nee port was recommitted, and ordered to be prl
ing ed. \ letter was presented from the Cover
ned of North Carolina, but the House refused
tai receive it. Resolutions were adopted, ask
on, information of the President in regard to p
the dons and to con6scatcd and abandoned pr0pe
up in the South, and of the Secretary of the Ire
He ury in regard to the money in the United Sta
on Treasury. The House then passed the Mill
ry Academy bill and the bill making approx
o-o ations for the army.
of U D-.-,--. -, -, II.