Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-01-30
CONGRESSIONAL sUMMARY.


In the United States Senate, on Thursday,
the bill relative to the sale of postage stamps
and stamped envelopes on credit was report
ed, with an amendment limiting its opera
tions to June 30, 1868. Mr.. Morrill,, OF
Maine, introduced bill repeating the act
incorporating Washington and Georgetown,
and declaring that the legislative powers
delegated TO said cities are resumed, to be
exercised exclusively by Congress. A num-
ber of petitions were presented Among
them, one by Mr.. Cowan, from citizens of
Pennsylvania, asking for such action as
shall prevent States from making distinction
in civil rights on account of color or race.
The bill to restrict the expenses of collecting
soldiers claims was discussed without final
action. The bill to enlarge the Freedmen IS
Bureau was then taken up, and, after con-
siderable debate, was passed. After an cx-
ecutive session, adjourned.
The House of Representatives ordered
printed $4,000 copies of the reports of Lieu-
tenant General Grant and Carl Schurz, on
the condition of the late rebellous States
culture was requested to furnish a statement
of the income and cost of that Bureau. A
number of resolutions of instruction to COM
mittees were adopted. The proposed amend
ment to the Constitution of the United States
relative to the apportionment of representa-
tives, was then considered until the adjourn
ment.
FRIDAY, JANUARY &C.
In the United States Senate, on Friday,
Mr.. Wade introduced bill providing for
the improvement of certain harbors in Ohio,
By resolution the Finance Committee was
instructed to inquire as to the cxpediency of
providing by law that directors of national
banks shall give bonds for the faithful per
formance of their duties. The House bill
for the extension of the time for the with
drawal of goods for consumption from public
storehouses, &c, was passed. Also, the
bill to make an allowance of one months
pay to naval officers for baggage lost or
wrecked in the service. A memorial from
citizens of Colorado now in New York, ask
ing for the admission Of that territory as
State under the present constitution, was
presented. The remainder of the session
was occupied in the discussion of the resolu-
tion for the appointment of Provisional Co
vernors of the southern States Adjourned
until Monday.
In the House of Representatives Mr.. Up
son, of Michigan, from the Committee on
Elections, reported that Mr.. Coffroth, of
Pennsylvania, has on his certificate, prima
tacie right to his seat from the Sixteenth
District ofsPcnnsylvania. Mr.. Paine, of
Wisconsin, made minority report, stating
that William II. Koontz has Il prima iacie
right to the scat. Both reports provide for
taking testimony by each allowing sixty
days for that purpose. Mr. CofIroth is the
Democratic and Mr.. Koontz the Republican
claimant. The Committee of Ways and
Means was instructed to inquire into the OK
pediency of revising the act OF 1899, which
provides that no drawbacks shall be allowed
on articles exported into any foreign State
adjoining the United States, The constitu
tional amendment relative to the apportion-
mcnt of representation was then taken up
and discussed at length. 1t was agreed to
take vote on the subject on Tuesday next.
Adjourned.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 27.
The United States Senate was not in ses,
sion on Saturday.
The House of Representatives went into
Committee of the Whole, and engaged in
the discussion OF the Presidents message.
Speeches were made by Mr.. Smith, of Ken.
lucky, Mr. Baker of Illinois, and Mr..
Broomall, OF Pennsylvania.