Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-01-11
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.

.. PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
SENATE Y YEsTERDAY.-The new bill to re-
organize the army was reported The numer
;cal strength Of the regular army OF the United
States IS hereafter to consist Of seven regiments
Of artillery, ten regiments OF cavalry, and sixty
reoineuts of Infantry, and such other forces as
NAV be provided by tie act, The Senate bill
to regulate the elective franchise in the District
Of Columbia was then taken up and read Ihe :
bin grants the right Of suffrage to all persons Of
the ageo twenty-one years, without restriction
of race or color, who are citizens Of the United
States. and who shall have resided in the Dis
trict six months. Any person disturbing any
such voter is to be fined in a sum not exceed
inc one thousand dollars, or to be imprisoned
in the cellar, or dungeon, Of the District Jail
for a period not exceeding thirty days, and fed
m bread and water; or is to be both fined and
imprisoned at the discretion of the Court.
Some alterations were made. The second sec
tion was modified in respect to confinement in
the cellar or dungeon Of the jail, and the bill
was then recommitted Mr.. Howe introduc-
ed Joint resolution, declaring that the people
Of the insurrectionary States having proclaimed
their independence, made war on the Govern
ment and abolished the political functions guar
anteed them, they should be placed under pro-
Ysional Governments adapted to their wants
and necessities Mr. Howe made radical
speech ia favor Of his resolution, The pith Of
his argument lay in the fact proclaimed by him,
that if twenty-five Southern members were ad-.
mitted to seats in the Senate, and fifty eight to
seats 10 the House Of Representatives, these
accessions of strength would enable the Presi-
dent to carry out his policy of restoration, and
would also give him the power, il SO disposed,
to work for his own reelection. Ia reply to d
resolution to that effect: calling upon the presi
dent to state upon what charges Mr.. paws IS
confined, and why he is not brought to tria,
President J ohnson transmitted reports from the
Secretary of War and the Attorney General,
and at the same time called attention to- that
part Of bis annual message which refers TO Con
gress the question connected with the holding
Of Circuit Courts of the United States within
the districts where their authority has been IN
terrupted
House OF REPRESENTATIVES. The Com
mittee on Ways and Means was instructed to
inquire into the expediency Of revising the sys-
tem Of income taxes, and OF dispensing with
the system if necessary; or only tax amounts
over twelve hundred dollars, aud also reduce
the tax oo all incomes. The Committee on
Foreign Affairs was directed to enquire into
and report what measures may be necessary On
the part of the United States TO restore to the
Mexican people the right to choose. their own
form of goy eminent, and also TO give effect to
the unanimous voice CT the United States, that
no foreign, power shall impose despotie gov
ernment upon any State On this continent. &
resolution declaring that the exclusion Of South
ern members was not because negroes were ex-
GUIDED from voting at the elections recently
hela, was referred to the Committee on Recon
sstruction..E A resolution affirming the inde-
structblity OF the States, AID sustaining the
reconstruetion policy of the President was re-
ferred to the Committee on Reconstruction
! yeas ll9, nays IS. A bill! extending the right
! Of suffrage to negroes in the District Of Colqm
bla was then takeu up and debated, but with
out coming to vote, the House adjourned.