The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1866-12-14
CONGRESS-.
UNCLE TOBY.

SENATE.-The petitions OfGen. JEFF.
G. Davis, and of other officers of the ar
my, asking for an increase of pay, were
presented and referred to the Commit
tee on Military Affairs. The bill taking
away the pardoning power from the
President was reported from the Com
mittee-On the Judiciary for immediate
consideration, but, objection being made
it went over. The Secretary of War was
requested to inform the Senate Wheth
er Commissioners had been appointed
to award payments to loyal slaveoWn-
ers for slaves drafted or enlisted in the
army, and, if so, whether any report
has been made by such Commissioners.
\ bill was also introduced suspending
all payments as compensation to own
ers of slaves drafted or enlisted in the
army until the final report of the Com
miSsiOners has been made and apprOV-
ed by Congress. 1t was referred to the
Committee on Finance. Joint reSOlu-
tiOns Of the Vermont Legislature in fa-
VOr of negro suffrage throughout the
United States and the District OfCOlum-
bia were presented and laid on the ta-
bic. Notice was given that on Monday
next the bill to establish an uniform
system of bankruptcy for the United
States will be taken up, and also that
the resolution disbanding militia organ
iZatiOns in the Southern States and pro-
hibiting their reorganization, will be
taken up at an early day. The Senate
then adjourned until Monday next.
HOUsE.-The Committee on PostOffi-
ces and Post Roads was instructed to
10 of E 0Cr
upon the POstOffice Department the sole
Jurisdiction over telegraph lines now in
operation, or to be constructed, as it
now exercises over pOstOtfices and roads.
y resolution was passed calling on the
Postmaster General for the names Of2ll
pOstmasters removed since the last seS-
sion of Congress, the cause of removal,
names of the new appOintees, and as to
the increase of salaries. Mr. Williams
bill regulating appointments and re-
mOValS from Office was taken up, and
an amendment was offered allowing the
heads of Departments to appoint all
their assistants and subOrdinateS, sub
ieCt to the consent of the Senate. The
further consideration of the bill was
then postponed until Monday The
President was requested to inform the
House whether any portion of Mexican
territory has been occupied by United
States troops, and ifsO, for what purpose
and by whose authority. y resolution
was passed appointing a committee of
three to proceed at once to New Orleans
and institute a thorough inquiry into
the cause of the riots in that city dur
ing last July. The Committee on the
judiciary was instructed to inquire as
to what legislation is necessary to pre-
vent the counting of electoral votes
from States not entitled to representa-
ton. \ resolution was adopted in
structing the Committee on the Judici-
airy to provide by law for the exclusion
of all persons who served in any capaci-
ty under the Confederate Government
from exercising the right of suffrage in
the District of Columbia. The resOlu-
tions introduced by Mr.. Myers, 0fPenn-
sylvania, on Tuesday, calling on the
President for information in regard to
appointments made during the recess
were taken up and passed. Mr..
Schenck's bill changing the time Ofthe
meeting Of Congress to the 4th day of
March for the first session and to the
second Monday in November for the
second session was taken up, and long
debate ensued, during which anumber
of amendments were proposed. Pend
ing the consideration of the bill and
amendments the House adjourned un-
til Monday next.