The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-12-20
Congressional.
WASHINGTON, Dec. II

dnood and referredd-among them, one
from the New York Underwriters, fer an
o,,nronr;at;on to remove the wreck OF the
steamer Scotland.
Mr. Wade, from the Committee on
Territories, reported the bill introduced
Yesterday for the admission of Colorado;
Mr.. Fessenden said the tariff bill had
been referred to the Finance Committee
last session, with instructions to report
on the second Monday in December
The committee had not yet had time to
consider this bill, but would do so at an
early day.
At 1880, the bill for negro suffrage in
this District was taken up. The question
was upon the amendment OF Mr.. Cowan,
to strike out the word male, SO as to grant
the suffrage to both sexes. Mr.. Anthony
advocated the amendment. Mr.. Williams
smoke in favor of the bill and against Mr..
Gowan's amendment. The debate is still
In the House Mr. Kelly presented the
memorial of the Central Republican Com
mittee. of Louisiana; referred to the Com
.mittee on Reconstruction The House
passed the bill regulating the duties OF
their clerk, requiring him to insert IN the
roll of members only the names OF those
from States represented 10 the next pre-
ceding Congress, as preliminary to or
oanization. Mr.. Kelly reported bill to
nunish for counting fraudulent electoral
votes. The considera ton of the pream-
BILE asserting that the late insurrectionary
States can be restored to representation
only by the law-making power is post
poned. o+
ended on the suffrage bill, up to adjourn
ment. ,.u
Mr.. Stevens made a speech on the bill
to repeal the statute of limitations with
regard to treason and capital offences
MIR. Stevens opposed the bill, contendlng
that the crime of treason was one which
most required to be quieted by time The
offence was continuous, until peace pro-
clamation was issued None such had
been issued. He understood that tho
man at the other end of the avenue had
issued some pieces Of paper, but he did
not regard them as sproclamations ofpeace-
Those who rebelled against the Govern
ment should be punished as captives. No
action on the bill The House consumed
the remainder of the day in the considera-
tion of the bill regulating appointments
and removal from Office. The President
sent to the House papers relative to ex-
Confederate General Piekett's application
for pardon. 1t appears that Advocate
General Holt recommended that Plckett
be put on trial on the charge of having
murdered twenty-five Union prisoners OF
war, but the Secretary of War declined
to do so, on the ground Of the Supreme
Court having decided against military
tribunals trying cases. Pickett addressed
a letter to the President, asking for am
nestv. and one to Grant, asking his ia
vorable consideration, and explaining the
circumstances under which the men were
executed. He was simply acting as the
General commanding the Department,
and the same was sanctioned by his Gov
ernment. Grant made an endorsement
ON the letter to the President, with re-
commendations of clemency, or that as
surance be given that no trial take place
for offences charged against Pickett
Grant says, during the rebellion, belliger-
ent rights were Acknowledged to the ene-
mics Of our country, and it is clear to me
that the parole given by the armies, lay
ing down their arms, protects them
against punishment for acts lawful for any
other belligerent The punishment Of the
men was harsh one, but it was-inl time
of war, when the enemy no doubtfelt it
necessary to retain, by some power, the
services of every man within their reach.
Gen. Pickett, 1 know personally, to be
an honorable man; but in this case, his
Judgment prompted him to do what can
not we'll be sustained, though do not see
how good, either to the friends Of the de-
ceased, or by fixing an example for the
future, can be secured by this trial now
1t would only open up the question wheth-
er or not the Government did not dlsre-
gard it's contract entered into to secure
the surrender Of an armed enemy.
WASHINGTON, Dec. IL.
Tn the Senate, Mr.. Wilson gave notice
that. tomorrow, he shall introduce bill
to continue in force the Freedmen's Blu,
reau. and to amend the Act establishing
it. Mr.. Morgan introduced a joint reso
lntion IN Of thanks to Cyrus W. Field fol
his services in laying the Atlantic cable
which was referred to the Committee or
Foreign Relations. Mr.. Trumbull intro
duced resolution calling upon the Presl
dent to inform the Senate whether any
persons appointed to any office, required
by law to be filled by consent OF the Sen
ate, was commissioned during the recess
of the Senate, previous to the assembling
of the present Congress, and have beer