The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-12-12
Congressional.

WASHINGTON. December lin the Sc
nate, petitions were introduced and re-
ferred-among them, one from the New
York Underwriters, for an appropriation to
remove the wreck of the steamer Scotland.
Mr.. Wade, from the Committee on Terri
tories, reported the bill introduced yestor-
day for the admission Of Colorado.
Mr.. Fessenden said the tariff Dill had
been referred to the Finance Committee
last session, with instructions to report on
the second Monday in December. The
committee had not yet ha i time to consider
this bill, but would do 50 at an early day.
At 12.36, the bill for negro suffrage in
this District was taken up. The question
was upon the amcndment of MIR. Cowan,
to strike cut tbc word male, so as to grant
advocated the amendment. Mr.. Williams
spoke IN favor OF the bill and against Mr.
Cowan's amendment. The debate is still
progressing.
In the House, Mr.. Kelly presented the
memorial of the Central Republican Com
m1ttee on Reconstruction. The House
passed the bill regulating tho duties of
their clerk, requiring him to insert in the
roll OF members only the names of those
from States represented in the next pre-
ceding Congress, as preliminary to organ
t
for counting fraudulent electoral votes.
The consideration of the preamble assert
ing that the late insurrectionary States
can be restored to representation only by
tho 10, law-mak1ns power is postponed.
The debate continued, and was not ended.
on the suffrage bill, up to adjournment.
Mr.. Stevens made a speech on the bill to
repeal the statute of limitations with re-
gard to treason and capital offences Mr.
Stevens opposed the bill, contending that
the crime OF treason was one which most
required to be quoted by time. The Of
fence was continuous, until peace pro-
clamatlon was issued None such had been
issued. He understood that the man at
the other end of the avenue had issued
some pieces OF paper, but he did not re-
gard them as proclamations of peace.
Those who rebeled against the Govern
ment should be punished as captives. No
action on the bin. The House consumed
the remainder of the day in the consi dera-
ton of the bill regulating appointments
and removal from Office. The President
Confederate General Pickett's application
for pardon. 1t appears that Advocate
General Holt recommended that Pickett
be put on trial on the charge Of having
murdered twenty-five Union prisoners of
war, but the Secretary Of War decli- ID to
Go so, on the ground of the Supreme Lourt
having decided against military tribunals
trying such cases. Pickett addressed a
letter to the President, asking fer amnesty,
and one to Grant, asking his favorable con-
sideration, and explaining the circum-
stances under which the men were exc
cuted. He was simply acting as the Gene
raj commanding the Department, and the
same was sanctioned by his Government.
Grant made au endorsement on the letter
to the President, with recommendations of
clemency, or that assurance be given hat
no trial take place for offences charged
against Pickett. Grant says, during the
rebellion, belligerent rights were acknow-
lodged to the enemies Of our country, and
1t is clear to me that the parole given by
the armies, laying down their arms, pro-
tects them against punishment for acts
lawful for any other belligerent. The pun
ishment of the men was a harsh one. but
1t was in time OF war, when the enemy no
doubt felt it necessary to retain, by some
power, the services of every man within
their reach. Gen. Pickett, know person
ally, to be an honorable mans but in this
case, his judgment prompted him to do
what cannot well be sustained, though
40 not see how good, either to the friends
OF the deceased, Or by fixing an example
for the future, can be secured by his trial
now. 1t would only open up the question
whether or not the Government did not
disregard its con tract entered into TO se-
cure the surrender of an armed enemy.
Cable Dispatches.
LONDON, December 10.-Gladstone is cx-
Y,ecta6 tn rot,,r,, hove 81 ~ 70