The Portland daily press., 1866-12-06
xxx UONGREss-sEOOND SESSION
SENATE.

SENATE.
~ WASHINGTON, Dec. ..
Mr.. Wade introduced bill for the adfnis-
sion of Nebraska into the Union as State
Ordered to lie on the table for the present.
The committees for the session were m
nounced.
MIR. Williams offered resolution instruct.
ing the Committee on Retrenchment to IN
qulre to what extent the President has the
right to restore confiseated property under the
laws of the United States; if such law exists,
to what extent it can be executed, &c. Adopt
| ed.
Mr.. Trumbull moved the reference of The
bill to repeal the Presidents amnesty
| power, to the Judiciary Committee This gave
| rise to deba;e at the conclusion of which the
| bill was referred. fErtE
Mr.. Sumner offered resolutions on recon
struction, of which he gave notice yesterday
They assert the control Of Congress even upon
| the subject of reconstruction, and deny the
right of the lately rebellious States to pass up
| on the Constitutional Amendment. The reso.
| lutions were read and ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Sherman offered a resolution to provide
seats ON tht floor for the reporters of the As
| soeiated Press and Oraig's Agency, which was
| objected to and goes over. Hc 4
The bill to appoint two Managers for the
| Soldiers ASYLUM in Washington, was passed
Mr.. Henderson introduced a resolution call
| ing for information in regard to the employ
ment of officers and wOrkmen in the Navy
Yards, especially in that of Norfolk Vas-
| Agreed to- M
| Mr.. Wade moved to take up the Joint REQ.
luton rendering the President ineligible fol
reelection. He spoke of the growing danger
of giving one man too long a lease Of poaSf
and hoped Con.ress would defend the cou1-
try from that danger, by adopting the res0ln
tion, to do which there could never be better
opportunity than the present. Referred.
Various portions of the message were refei-
red to the appropriate committees 0h
MIR. Sherman's bill to prevent the payment
Of appolntees rejected by the Senate was res
ferred to the Judiciary Committee. 5a3h
Mr.. Morrill, moved that the bill for universal
suffrage in the Dietrict of Columbia be print
ed, and gave notice that ne would call it up on
Monday. ~ Nv. 81 -@E-
The Senate concurred in the House resolu.
ton for the continuance of the Joint Commit.
tee on Reconstruction. atsts 80 t,Sts-
The Senate adjourned at 80 p M
HOUSE. ata- it" n
MIR. Williams called up motion to recOnsid-
er the vote by which the House bill for the
regulation OF appointments to, and removals
from office, was on the 11th Of June recommit-
ted to the Judiciary Committee, and proceed
ed to read written argument in support oi
the bill. E sit
Mr.. Williams motion was agreed to and
Mr.. Schenck moved that the bill be referred to
the Committee on Retrenchment, which was
opposed by Mr.. Stevens, who hoped it would
be Immediately acted upon by the House.
Messrs. Wilson, Kasson, Garfield and Hale
offered amendments, which, together with the
bill were finally ordered to be printed and
made the special order for tomorrow.
Mr.. Lawrence of Ohio from the Judiciary
Committee, reported bill to amend the act Of
March Sd, 1866, regulating proceedings in
criminal cases. 1t provides that on the trial of
any offence on which the right to challenge
jurors now exists, the defendant shall be en-
titled to only four peremptOry challenges, pro-
vided this shall not apply to trials for treason
or capital offences. Passed. Also, bill pro-
viding that ON the trial of any person charged
with treason, person shall not be disqualified
from acting on the jury because he has express
ed an opinion founded on newspaper reports,
rumor or hearing, and not on conversation
with witnesses of the transaction on hearing
them testify, if the juror shall say he feels able
notwithstanding such opinion, to render an
impartial verdict. Postponed until Tuesday
next and ordered to be printed. Also, a bin to
protect the rights OF action of all citizens, pro-
viding that where citizen of the United
States who always remained loyal thereto, and
did not voluntarily give aid or announcement
to persons engaged in rebellion, shall bring an
action to recover damages for injury to person
or property, or the value thereof, no such ac-
ton shall be defended or any defence allowed
by virtue Of the authority of the late so-called
Confederate States, or any State declared in
rebellion. The bill was passed.
Mr. Perham reported back the Senate bill of
last session, to establish pension agencies.
Messrs. Washburne and Farnsworth offered
amendments which, together with the bill
were recommitted to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Cooper presented papers cOntesting the
right OF Mr.. Arnell, of Tennessee, to seat
They were referred to the Committee on Elec-
tions.
Mr.. Miller gave notice Of bill granting PEN
sions to soldiers of 1872. Adjourned.