Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-02-09

proposing n new article to the Constitution
of the United States, providing that when
ever any State in the Union shall pretend Il
absolve its citizens from their allegiance t.
the Government of the United States, ant
shall, by force of arms, resist the authority
of the general government, and shall be de
clared by the President to be in rebellion
forfeited all its rights and privileges as a
State, and as having reverted to the condi-
ton OF territory. Mr.. Blaine offered bill
providing for taking a census of the inhabi.
tants of the United States prior to the first
Of October, 1866. Mr.. MeClurg offered a
resolution instruciing the Committee on
Reconstruction to inquire into the expedi-
ency ofreporting bill to levy contributions
on the seeded States to defray the expenses
of keeping up the standing army to preserve
the peace. Laid over. Mr.. briggs offered
a resolution, which was adopted, instructing
the Committee on Reconstruction to take
into consideration the subject of removing
the national capital, in order that its site
may be accommodated to the population
and greater security rendered to legislation,
by removing it from the possible attacks of
foreign eAemies and domestic menaces The
discussion of the Senate bill to enlarge the
powers of the Freedmen's Bureau occupied
the remainder OF the session.
In the evening session, Mr.. Lawrence, of
Ohio, spoke in defence of the government
policy relative to the punishment of traitors.
He was followed by Mr., Stilwell, of Indiana
and the House adjourned without action.
TUESDAY, FEBRuARY 6.
The United States Senate, on Tuesday,
received several petitions for universal suf-
frage. The Committee on Foreign Affairs
reported bill to authorize the appointment
of Diplomatic representative to the republic
of Dominica. The Judiciary Committee
was instructed toinquire into the expediency
of reporting bill for the payment of loyal
citizens of the Southern States lor quarter
masters stores taken for the use of the army.
The constitutional amendment relative to
representation was then taken up. Mr.. Doo-
little presented as a substitute for the propo-
sition before the Senate joint resolution to
amend the Constitution by basing represen-
tation upon the number of voters in each
State Mr.. Sumner resumed the floor, in
continuation of his lengthy speech.
In the House OF Representatives the report
of the United States Revenue Commission
was received The Naval Committee re.
ported the Senate resolutions thanking Ad.
miral Farragut and men for gallant conduct
at Mobile. The consideration of the bill 10
enlarge the powers of the Freedmen's Bu.
reau was resumed. An amendment exclud-
ing Kentucky from the provisions of the bill
was rejected Mr.. Stevens offered a substi-
tute, containing nearly all the provisions of
the original bill and some notifications
relative to the Sea Island lands, which was
also rejected. The substitute reported by
the Committee on Freedmen's Affairs was
then adopted. The Appropriation bill for
the construction and repair of Notifications
was reported and referred to the Committee
of the Whole on the State of the Union.
The bill giving the consent of Congress to
the transfer of the counties of Berkeley and
Jefferson from Virginia to West Virginia
was passed. A recess was then taken until
evening, when session was held for speech
making.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY7
In the United States Senate, on Wednes
day, the Judiciary Committee reported Il
bill providing a severe punishment for tho
kidnanni.s OF negruer. Mr. Sumner pre-
sented a petition from the Female Anti
Slavery Society of Philadelphia for equa
rights without distinction on account o
color. The citizens of New England pet
toned for the enforcement of equality il
any new basis of representation that NAV b,
adopted. The Judiciary Committee report
ed that no legislation was necessary to pro
tect northern creditors from the operation O
southern statutes of limitation, as the act o
June IL, 1864, covered the subject. Til,
bill to prevent the reissue of American re
gistcrs to vessels whose registers were chang
ed during the war, without congressiona
action, was passed The resolution to amen,
the Constitution Of the United States to pro
hibit payments for emancipated slaves, O
debts contracted in aid of the rebellion, wa
called up, and Mr.. Wilson addressed tn
Senate at length.
In the House of Representatives, Mr. MOI
rill's bill from the Ways and Means Con
mittee, declaring the meaning of parts of til
Internal Revenue act, was passed. 1t rt
quires taxes to be paid on railroad securitic
held abroad, and upon returns computed i
legal tenders, and not in coin The Con
mittee on Appropriations reported the cor
sular diplomatic expenses for the ensuin
year, which was referred The credential
of the Alabama delegation were referred.
S petition for female suffrage was sent to tn
Committee on Reconstruction A bill prt
e viding that all public lands in Alabama
Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Flor
da, be disposed of under the act of May
: 1862, with a proyiso that only eighty acre
shall be taken at any one entry, and no dis
elimination shall be made for color or race
was argued, but not decided These State
5 have 46,396, 900 acres, one-tenth of whic
only are cultivated The Senate bill givin
the legal amount of land to the Burlingto
and Missouri Railroad, ifit completes twent
, miles of road the current year, was passed
The franking privilege was bestowed o
Mrs Lincoln. The Senate resolution givin
$40, 900 to pay the expenses of the joint Con
mittee on Reconstruction passed. The Nav
J Appropriation bill was debated, without
: result, until the time for adjournment
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I BOOK NOTICES.
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