Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1866-02-15
Congress.

I'm the Senate, Feb. l, the bill to pro-
tect all persons in their civil rights
was discussed, and an amendment was
adopted-3l to lO--declaring that all
persons born in the United States, not
subject to foreign powers, except lndl-
ans not taxed, are citizens of the Uni
ted States, without distinction on ac-
count of color.
In the Senate, on the I'd, Mr.. Sum-
ner introduced joint resolution to
carry out the constitutional guarantee
of a republican form of government,
and to enforce the constitutional
amendment prohibiting slavery. The
bill authorizing the sale of postage
stamps and stamped envelopes on cred
it was passed. Mr.. TrumbulPs bill for
the protection of all persons in the en-
ioyment of their civil rights was pass
ed by a vote of 33 to IL.
In the Senate, on the 9th, the con-
stitutional amendment relative to the
basis of representation was taken up,
and Mr.. Sumner made a speech on the
question. He characterized the amend
ment as another compromise of human
rights, and advocated his substitute
therefor, which provides that there
shall be no denial of rights, civil or po-
ltcal, on account of color or race, but
that all persons shall be equal before
the law, whether in the courtroom or
at the ballot-box.
In the House, on the 9Th, a resolu-
ton was offered instructing inquiry in
to the expediency of levying contrlbn-
ton upon the rebel States to repay the
expense of maintaining large army
to preserve the peace. A resolution
was referred to the Reconstruction
Committee, requesting it to take into
consideration the subject of removing
the national capital
In the Senate, on the 9th, the consti-
tutional amendment relative to the ba.
sis of representation was considered,
and Mr.. Sumner concluded his speech
Diplomats, two Cabinet Ministers and
a much larger number of Congress
men than yesterday were on the floor
while all the galleries and approaches
were densely packed with attentive lis
teners. As the argument of the speak
er eliminated, he became gradually
eloquent, and his elaborate plea, which
might rather be denominatsd an essay
than speech, for negro enfranchise
ment, unquestionably made a profound
impression upon every intelligent lis
tener. At its conclusion the floor and
galleries broke forth in applause. Or
der being restored, the Senate went in
to short Executive Session, making
sundry combinations, the most impor
tant of which was that of Gen. Fit2
Henry Warren of Iowa as Minister
Resident to Guatemala. The bill pre-
venting the reissue of American reg
listers to American vessels which
changed their registers during the re
bellion, was passed.
The Freedmen's Bureau Enlargement
bill passed the House by the decisive
majority of 1876 to 33 Kentucky to
the contrary Notwithstanding. 1t was
somewhat amended, so that it must &c
back to the Senate for action on the
amendments, but the end is sure We
most heartily congratulate the country
on this triumph of Justice and Human
ity.
The House Military Committee has
agreed to report the bill creating the
grade of General, the pay being fixed
at $3.50 month more than the Lieu
| tenant General.