The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-02-22
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS
S ENATE.-Feb. 8.

E& SENATE.--F'eb. 8.
In. Clark of New Hamshire intro
led bill in addition to the several
to establish and amend the judicial
EN- OF the United States, which was
Erred to the judiciary Committee, =
Doolittle presented the credentials
Senator Pool of North Carolina, when
re ordered to lie on the table Mf.
van presented a petition for the re-
of the Homestead bill, which was
bred to the Committee on Finance.
Stewart offered resolution, which
adopted, instructing the Judiciary
b,mittee to inquire what legislation,
INV, is necessary to protect citizens of
limited States in the Territory of
1 !, in their civil rights. Mr.. Wilson
roduced bill to repeal the act au-
brizing the settlement of claims
Inst the United States for property
ken or destroyed by the army in the
rebellious States, which was refer
to the Committee on Military At
i. Mr.. Nye called up a bill for the
lief of j. B. Rittenhouse, Paymaster
the Pacific squadron, indemnifying
b for the loss sustained by the robbie
of his safe, which was passed. The
Institutional Amendment in relation
representation was then taken up,
len Mr.. Lane of Indiana, took the
pr and spoke at length in favor of the
{oution. On the conclusion of his
beell, the further consideration of the
bposed amendment was postponed,
the Senate took up the bill to en-
re the powers of the Negro Bureau.
Ter some little time spent in debating
matter, the principal amendments
the House were agreed to, and the bill
amended passed.
busE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Feb. 8.
The bill setting apart all the public
Ids in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida,
h Arkansas, for homestead purposes,
th all distinctions as to race or color
ped out, was taken up and passed by
note of one hundred and twelve to
enty-nine. A spirited debate grew
! of the act of the House in striking
] the appropriation for the Pensacola
Ivy Yard, in which it was evident the
&dicals had acted from motives of sec
knal spite only in their opposition to
IS particular military post. The
buse then took up the general bank
bit bill but Mr.. Jenckes of Rhode Is
bd, who had the floor, yielded to Mr..
finnell of Iowa, for an explanatory
Rtement in regard to his late criti-
kms on Mr.. Rousseau of Kentucky
be reverend gentlemen did not essen
klly mend his case in the running fire
|at ensued between the two members,
being by no means Il match at intel
etual sparring with the fiery Kentuck-
n. Mr.. Jenckes then spoke in his
lpport of the general bankrupt bill land
as followed briefly by Mr.. Rogers Of
lew Jersey.
SENATE.--F'eb. 8.
Mr.. Guthrie presented the credentials
Judge Houston, the Senator elect
ON Alabama for the short term, al
|ging that he had been conservative
|nion man; but this statement only
Rd the damaging effect to send the Gre
entails to the table. Mr.. Davis offered
resolution for the appointment of a
pmmittee to investigate charges against
be Government cotton agents, which
Tas discussed by Messrs. Davis, Sher-
ban, Fessenden and McDougal, when
he morning hour expired, and the res
luton to amend the Constitution was
ken mp. Mr.. johnson took the floor
gainst the pending proposition, upon
Fhlch he made an argument OF great
Dlidity and power. At the conclusion
his speech, the Senate adjourned until
londay.
ioUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, .-Feb. 8.
The first part of the morning hour
las occupied in the consideration Ofpri-
ate bills. \ recess was taken, to for
lally introduce to the House Major
eneral Osterhaus, who was present in
ne Hall. The Speaker made a brie
beech, to which the General replied,
nd then followed the applause and
ersonal introductions. A message was
'celved from the President, declining
communicate any information re-
pectlng the holding of Jefferson Davis,
cement c. Clay, Mallory and Others in
ohllnement, on the ground that it was
present Incompatible with the inter-
SIS OF the public service to do so. The
louise then proceeded to the considera-
on OF the business on the Speakers
lole, and took up the Senate's amend
tent to the bill amendatory of the Ne
70 Bureau bill, but before proceeding
ave way for another recess, to intro
uce Major General Crook. Scarcely
us this ceremony through with before
mother Major General made his APP
earance, demanding another recess and
htoher introduction. These military