The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1866-06-20
CONGRESS-.
WASHINGTON, jane s

Mr.. Blaine reported a joiut'resolutioni
| providing that enlisted me4 detailed for
duty as clerks, shall not DO deprived Of
the right to bounty, which Vns passed
June 11.-The Senate, to-day, finally
passed the bill, just as it came from the
House, regulating the deposit Of public
moneys. 1t will be signed by the Pres
ident tomorrow. The bill provides
that the public moneys will DO deposited
with tho Assistant Treasurer Of the
United States, and druwu out on warrant
or drift, and prcscribes punishment for
lending, with or without interest, funds
intrustcd with a Disturbing officer
When deposited elsewhere than in the
Sub. treasures the consent Of the Secre.
tury Of the Treasury is required.
June l2.-Tho Senate pussed very
important Internal Improvement Bill
Just ne it camo from the House 1t
therefore only uwui,s tho Presidents
signature to become d law. 1t makes
appropriations for tho preservation md
completion of certain works Of public
defense, including nearly all or the
Western harbors and rivers. Tho ap'
propria,ious are to he expended under
the direction Of the Secretary of War
Both Houses to-day also passed n bill
regulating the admission of cadets at
West Point. The most important fea.
turc ofthe new law gives the President
authority to appoint fifty cndels at large
for the Military Academy. lie is allowed
only ten appointments under the present
law.
Juns 13.-Thc House to-day took up
! and finally passed the Joint Resolution
from the Senate proposing an amend
ment to the Constitution rs conditions
precedent to Il restoration Of the Union.
But two hours of debate was allowed,
which were mustIy occupied by the
Democrats 10 fifteen minute speeches.
Mr.. Stevens, though evidently quite
III, closed the debate in n speech OF
fifteen minutes. The House gathered
around him as he spoke, and every
member listened attentively to his re
marks. He did not fully approve ofany
feature Of the amendment us it came
from the Senate, but declared that he
was willing to defer to others, and accept
it, us whole, Us it was now bcf"re the
House. The vote was then taken, and
resulted, ayes 100, nays %. 1t was
nric,Iy purity vote, every Republican
prc>cn,.votiug for it. Tile Democratic
vote was cast solid against it. Twenty
seven members were ab-tnt.
The Clerk Of the Ilous ~ will now for
ward TO the Governors 'of the various
States certified copy ofthc amendment
rr ratification by the Legislatures there
oil.
June 1.-THE only feature of Con-
srcss to-day, which elected great inter
est, and produced no inconsidcrable
excitement, was speech made by Mr.
Harris, Of Maryland, who, it will be
rccollected, was expelled from the thirty
eighth Congress. He has made nc
remarks since be has been member OF
the present Congress, until to-day. The
general subject Of reconstruction was
under discussion. When Mr.. Harris
rosc to speak, nearly every member o.
the House left his scat, and gathered
around the speaker, listening atten,iScly
to every word he said. There have moi
been many such scenes this session
MIR. Harris commenced his speech by an
open and avowcd supper, Of the princl
pic Of secession. which. he maintained
+ was practically cxcmplitisd BY the South
crn States to day being out Of the Union
lie declared tina, he should vote agnins
the credentials Of my member claiming
to BE- elected from my Southern State
on the ground that such State vas mol
in the Union. lie nck nowlcdgcd that
while President johnson was nc tdcfo
President, his election was illegal, be,
cause he cumc from State that had
seeded
Mr.. Harris then proceeded to denounce
the shouting Of Booth, and the exccu:
ton of Mrs. Surrutt, as inhuman and
unchristian, and ms worthy Of the North
When he concluded, protracted and
excited debate arose. lie Blond. oil
Ohio, declared that. the Democratic
party rcpudiu,cd Harris's doctrines, and
CHARGED thut they were identical with
Thad. Stevens views. Mr.. Stevens not
being present, several members defended
him from the charge.
The new bill to increase the army ~as
rcportcd in the House to day. 1t is to
be considered on Tuesday. It differs
from the bill lately defeated in the
House in several important PARTICULARS
1t provides for fifty regiments ofinfantry
instead Of 6fty:ivc six regiments OF
cavalry instead of twelve. The bill,
however, authorizes tho President, when
ever the emergencies Of the service
require it, to mount six :iufuntry rcgi'
ments. The artillery are to remain the
same, and the Veteran Reserve Corps
ind the colorcd troops are retained, The
maximum Of the army, under this bill,
is about $4,000 men.
June 15.-Aftcr long debate, the
Senate to-day passed ,4be, House BILL