The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-03-20
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
Congressional Proceedings.

wAsHrNGTos, March le. --SESATE.-Mr Sum.
ner presented the petition of citizens OF New
York, earnestly asking that no State that
rebelled should be admitted ne n governing
partner into the Union without adequate
security for the future. Referred to the Com
mttee on Reconstruction.
Mr. Wilson presented the petition of several
colored men, who represent that they were
once the slaves OF George w. Custis, who, in
his will, freed them, and provided for their
support from the property left by him. They
ask that portion of the Arlington estate be
set apart for their benefit. The petition was
referred to the Committee on the judiciary.
MIR. Fessendcn rose 10 personal explana-
ton He found in the Eliionnl fateUigencer of
the 18th instant n letter from William A.
Graham, claimant for n seat in the Senate
from North Carolina, in reply TO his Fessen-
den's) remarks, n few days ago, concerning the
nature OF the Investigations carried on by the
Committee of Fifteen. This letter of Ora
ham : was intended TO convey the impression
that the Investigations We're not impartial.
Mr. Graham had written TO him tFes-
senden), making two requests one, that
the witnesses suggested by him Graham
should be examined and another, that the
Representatives and Senators from these
States be allowed TO be present to cross-exam-
inc the witnesses. The last request was not
complied with, because it was not customary
in cases of investigation by n committee, and
because the proceedings of the committee were
not in the nature of n criminal investigation
when oss-eNaminations We're necessary. He
(Fessenden) did not regard the lately rebel
lous States in the light of criminals on trial,
nor was he acting in the capacity of prose
cutor. Another error Of Mr.. Grahams was
his. belief that the testimony had closed be-
cause it had been ordered TO be printed II
had not closed, except in-the case of Tennessee.
In the case of North Carolina no testimony
had yet been printed, it all being in the hands
of Mr.. Howard, of Michigan, now absent on
account Of domestic affection.
Mr. Davis, in reply to Mr.. Fessenden, adj
vocated the right of the claimants for seats
as Southern Senators and Representatives 10
be present and cross examine witnesses. Mr..
Davis proceeded to read Mr.. Graham's state
ment in the Ltelltgeacer Having read for halt
an hour he was called TO order by Mr. Chan
der, who insisted that there was no question
before the Senate.
Mr.. Fessenden said he had yielded the floor
10 Mr.. Davis for him to read Mr.. Graham s
letter, but it was evident now that he was
reading the editorials and news columns OF
the paper.
Mr. Davis said he was reading an eXplana-
ton of the case by Major Lawrence. At the
conclusion of Mr.. Davis's reading, Mr.. Fes-
sender said that if Mr.. Graham desired to in
troduce further testimony in the case of North
Carolina, he could do so.
HorsE.-Mr. Dawson, Of Pennsylvania, in
troduccd resolutions declaring that the United
States cannot guarantee the bonds of Mexico
or any other nation, and endorsing Mr.. Jefter-
sons principle of avoiding entangling ALI
anccs" The House having refused TO second
a demand for the previous question, the rcso-
lutions went over under the rules.
Mr. Ancona, of Pennsylvania, offered a
Joint resolution providing for the adjournment
of Congress on the--day of May, 1866. The
resolution was agreed 10.
Mr. Cullom, of Illinois offered a joint reSO.
luton making an amendment to the Constitu-
ton which provides that no person except 4
citizen OF the United States who has ut all
times borne true allegiance thereto shall
ever hold Office under the United States Go
vernment. The resolution was referred to the
Recons truction Committee.
The House rcconsdered the vote By which
the Loan bill was rejected, and recommitted it
to the Committee Of Ways and Means.