The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-02-20
CONGRESS.

The President transmitted to the House of
Representatives communications from the Sec
rotary of War and the Atrorney F. General, in re-
ply to a resolution requesting him, if not incom-
patible with the public interests, to furnish any
report or reports made by the Judge Advocate
General or any other officer of the Government,
as to the grounds, facts or accusations upon
which Jefferson Davis, Clement c. Clay, Jr.,
Stephen r. Mallory aud David L. Yulee, or
either of them, are held in confinement. The
Attorney General says to the President: "Sun-
dry reports Of the facts which go to show that
Jefferson Davis and other rebels have been gull.
ty Of high crimes, have been made to you, as
the Chief Executive officer of the Government.
nj ost Of the evidence on which they are based
was obtained &c parte without notice to the
accused; and while they were in custody in
military prisons, their publication might wrong
the Government, the accused. or both.
While l see that much wrong may flow from
the publication, l cannot see that any good
would come from it. In my opinion, public
and private justice alike demand that they should
not be made public" The Secretary of War
says to the President, "These reports we're
made for your own information, and contain ab-
stracs Of evidence and er 3odrte proof 10 poss.
ession of the bureau Of military justice. Peod-
ing any action in respect to the parties accused,
the publication of the report is, in my opinion,
incompatible with the public interest" The
President concurs in these opinions.
February Ex-senator Wilson, from the Mill
tary Commission, reported bill fixing the
military peace establishments. Eighteen regi-
ments of veteran reserves, originally provided
for, were omitted. The Senate resumed the
discussion OF the representation amendment,
In the House, Alr Bingham, from the Com
mittee on Reconstruction, reported al amend
ment to the Constitution, that Congress shall
have power to make all laws, which shall be ne
cessary aud proper to secure to citizens of each
State, the necessary privileges and immunities
oe citizens in the several States, and to secure
| all persons in the several States equal protec-
| ton to life, liberty and property.
February 1.-THE Senate resumed the con-
| sderation Of the Constitutional Amendment 10
regard to representation. There was no vote
il the debate it was stated that the Post Office
Department require eight thousand Postmasters
in the South, Blu, that only two thousand had
been appointed, owing to the fact that others
could not take the oath.
A message was received by Congress, to day,
from the President enclosing communication
from the French Minister. in relation to pro-
posed international Conference, at CONSTANT
| nople, on the subject of Cholera Congress will
consider the proposition.
February Is
The Senate passed the bill to-day to prevent
the kidnappin5 OF negroes in the Southern
States. The remainder Of the session was con.
sumed in discussing the constitutional amend.
ment 10 relation to representation.
The House postponed the consideration of
the bill allowing the sale Of postage stamps on
credit, for two weeks