Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-31
MIDNIGHT DISPATCHES
CONGRESSIONAL

WASHINGTON, May 30.-SENATE.-Mr. Harris.
from the Judiciary Committee, to whom was re-
ferred n petition, asking that portion of the
Arlington estate be set apart, requested that the
committee be discharged from the further cOnsid-
Grafton of the subject. So ordered.
The act to continue Freedmen's Bureau bill in
force was received from the House, and referred
to the Military Committee.
The reconstruction resolution, being an amend
ment offered yesterday, was called up.
Mr.. DOoiittle moved to amend the first section
by inserting the words excluding Indians not
taxed"
During the discussion Mr.. Doolittle said, the
words proposed were in the civil rights bill. de-
claring who were citizens, but was without valid
ity unless enforced by constitutional amendment.
Mr.. Sumner said Mr.. DOolittle's charge an
imputatiGn on Senator Fessenden; and also de-
MED its correctness He said the Committee of
Fifteen had no doubt of the constitutionality of
the civil rights bill.
Mr. Doolittle asked, why put this in the con-
stitutonal amendment.
Mr.. Fessenden said. the Senator may answer
that himself.
Mr.. DOolittle's amendment was rejected. The
second section passed with some verbal altera-
tons. In debate on the third section, Mr.. Hen
bricks proposed an amendment so as to make it
apply only to those whose term of Office had not
expired at the commencement or during the war;
contending that oaths was binding only during
that time.
Mr.. Guthrie opposed the third section because
of its prescription and supported Mr.. Hendricks 5
amendment; because it wass less proscrptivc.
Mr.. Sherman inquired if the amendment ofMr.
Hendricks would have the effect to exclude those
who resigned to take position under General
Lee.
Mr.. Hendricks replied not; resignation was not
expiration of term.
Mr.. Sherman said he believed under the pro-
posed alteration, all who resigned and returned
to the rebel service would be relieved from the
provisions of the section amendment; disagreed
to; yeas s, naysS4
Mr.. johnson moved an amendment to strike
out the words or members of State Legislatures,
Executive and judicial officers"
Rejected-yeas 10; nays, 80.
Another amendment proposed by Mr.. Johnson,
to make the section apply t0those who had sworn
to support the Constitution of the United States
within ten years previous to January, 1861, was
disagreed to.
In reply to the inquiry, Mr.. Howard said the
last clause of the third section was made discre-
tionary with Congress to remove disabilities gem
orally OF in individual cases.
Mr.. Salisbury moved that the removal of such
disability be within the reach of the Presidents
exercise of the pardoning power.
Disagreed to-yeas, 10; noes, b.
Mr.. DOOlittle spoke, cOntending that the see
ton was unjust in discrimination. He desired
that only the principal traitors should be pun
ished
Mr.. Trumbull replied to Mr.. DoOittle, and
said he thought the rebels would get off easy with
merely exclusion from Office, and wanted such ex-
clusion made
Senate adjourned
HoUsE-Mr. Stevens, of Pennsylvania, from
the Committee on airline railroad from Washing
ton to New York, reported bill to authorize the
building of military and postal road from WASH
ington to New York city, and gave notice that he
should cal up the same for consideration within
the coming week.
The report of General 'Stoneman touching the
Memphis riots was received and laid on the Ia
Bile.
Presidents message announcing the death of
Gen. Scott was received. and the Joint Committee
will take action thereon.