Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-05-31
CONGRESS.

The Senate, Wednesday, 2Sd took up the
Joint resolution of the reconstruction committee
from the House, and Mr.. Howard at some length
advocatedits adoption, after which amendments,
notice of which had previously been given,
were proposed by MeSsrs. Wade, Wilson, Clark
and Buckalew. No vote, however, was taken.
In the House a message was received from
the President announcing that he had signed
the bill designating Richmond as the place for
holding the United States courts in Virginia.
After transacting other unimportant business,
the internal revenue tax bill was again taken
up. in committee Of the whole. The sectiOnin
relation to incomes led to a spirited debate,
and was finally amended so as to levy tax Of
five per cent, on all incomes exceeding one
thousand and not over five thousand dollars,
and tax of ten per cent, where the income ex-
ceeds five thousand dollars. This is the same
as the present law, with the exception that one
thousand dollars is exempted itstead of six
hundred dollars. Another amendment was
adopted allowing deduction from incomes of
losses by fire, shipwreck and for loses in real
estate purchased within the year.
The Senate on Thursday, adopted a resolu
ton providing for special committee to exam
inc into the condition of all the national banks
of the country, and report thereon, After
transacting some unimportant business, the re-
construction resolutions were again taken up,
when Mr.. Stewart addressed the Senate in ia
vor of impartial suffrage and general amnesty.
Mr.. johnson moved to strike out the third sec
ton. and Mr.. Sherman offered a substitute for
the second anG third sections. No vote, how
ever, was taken on these motions.
The House concurred in the Senate's amend
ments to the joint resolution to prevent the in
PRODUCTION of cholera into the United States !;
so that it has finally passed both Houses. The
bill TO continue the Freedmen's Bureau for three
years was taken up and amended so as to pro-
vide that whenever the former owners of land
occupied under General Sherman'S order dated
Savannah, July 10th, 1865, shall apply for the
restoration Of said land, the commissioner shall
refuse to surrender the same. A motion to
postpone the further consideration of the bill
until next December was voted down-yeas 81
nays sl-and it was then laid over until Tues
day. The tax bill was further considered
One or two amendments were made in relation
to the stamp tax, and several articles added to
the free list.
The Senate Friday, passedthe joint resolution
relating to cadet appointments at West Point,
prescribing the ages of candidates at from sew
enteen to twenty-five, except in the cases of
those who have served in the army, who may
be received until twenty-four, and excluding
from admission those who served in the Confed-
crate army. After the adoption of resolution
of inquiry and transacting some little business
of no general interest. the Senate adjourned I'M
til Monday.
In the House bill was introduced, but re-
committed, to prohibit the deposit of public
moneys in the national banks as depositarieS,
except with the appreciation of the Secretary
Of the Treasury. The bin to equalize bounties