The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-03-07
Scenes in Congress-,

The Washington correspondent of the st. Louis Re
publican gives the following description of the scenes
in congress on the reception of the presidents veto
message. In the senate:
When the private secretary of the president APP
peared and a message from the executive was an
nounced, there general scene of excitement OF
the floor and the galleries, Notwithstanding the fac
that senator Yates addressing the Severa
senators glanced at the message as soon as the sea
was broken and the of the veto spread rapidly
all over the capitol-into the nnumerabe Offices, The
supreme court room, the house of representatives
and among the crowds in the halls and corridors
There was general exodus of members from the
house to the senate to hear the reading of the mes
sage. The moment Yates had finished his speech Mr.
Trumbull, the author of the freedmen's bureau bill
jumped up and asked that the message be read.
The most profound silence followed during the read
ing, but the echo Of the clerks voice had hardly
ceased before perfect storm of applause burst fu
riousy from the crowded galleries above, which sub.
sided under the Yehemence of the presidents gavel
and orders Immediately issued to the sergeantat
arms clear the galleries, for this demonstration had
been the second offense during the afternoon. Sena
tor Sherman, Just before the order executed, APP
peaed to the chair to overlook the indscreon of the
galleries. whereupon Mr.. Trumbu asked Mr.. Sherman
if he did not know the offense had been overlooked
once before to-day. He earnestly declared that de-
corum should be preserved in the senate The respect
due the senate he said had been violated too often
and the public business could not be proceeded with il
these demonstrations be permitted to continue
The chair said rather strongly that his order would
be carried out unless the senate should decide to
woke it,
The galleries were then cleared Of everybody ex-
cept the reporters and the doors closed and the
senate then proceeded to the important business before
it. The president pro. tenn then said that the ques
ton was, Should the senate adhere to its vote passing
the bill notwithstanding the veto of the presidents?
Mr. Lane of Kansas, moved to postpone the further
consideration of the bill until tomorrow and sup
ported his motion by declaring that all difference could
be reconciled A majority of the senators, he said
belonged TO the party which elected the president and
it should be their object not to separate from him. He
demanded the yeas and nays and the motion lost
by vote of twenty-nine against seventeen for, The
vote developed the presence of fortysx senator's only
four being absent-senators Howard Norton, johnson
and McDougall being the absentces.
The following is what took place in the house:
Soon after the house was called to order Mr. Thad.
Stevens got the hoor and reported concurrent reso-
luton from the reconstruction committee, declaring
that in order to close agitation on a question which
likely to disturb the action of the government
well quiet the uncertainty which rests in the
minds of the people Of the eleven States which have
been declared in instruction, senator or represen-
tave shall be admitted into either branch of congress
from either of said States until congress shall have
declared such States entitled to representation.
In presenting this resolution, Mr.. Stevens spoke for
about five minutes and said that there had lon an
earnest investigation BY the committee into the condi
uoh OF Ic.Inessee to see whether they could admit
the State to representation but since yesterday there
had been such state of things as had induced the
committee to consider it wholly out of their power to
proceed further without surrendering great princ
pie and without surrenderng the rights of this body
to the STpatioR of another poacer meaning the pres
dent. He demanded the previous question: and re-
fused to allow debate whereupon there was a great
scene of confusion and excitement Mr.. Rogers, Of
New Jersey shouted above the din that the attempt
to pass it under gag law act of tyranny and
despotism. He was called to order from all parts oil
the hail. The democrats then resolved to force the
republicans to yield by physical exhaustion, and they
moved to adjourn to members from voting and
other datory motions by the calling the yeas and
NAYS and consumed seven hours in these proceedings
At five o'clock the democrats proposed to compromise
on the basis of one hours debate on each side, when
vote should be taken.
Mr. Schenck, of Ohio, seemed to reflect the views
of the majority when he declared that there could be
no compromise but that of passing the resolution
During the struggle there numerous exciting
scenes. Little debate allowed. When Mr.
VOORHEES, attempted to announce that the senate hat
sustained the president, his voice could hardly be
heard above the shouts of order from the republican
side When the vote was brought into the house the
members gathered in crowds and dissected it while
the momentous call of the roll was going on.
At 730 P. NJ. it was evident that opposition could
hold out no longer, and Mr. Eldridge announced that
it was impossible to resist such majority. vote
was then taken and the resolution passed with only
forty votes against it, among whom were Raymond
Green, Alley, Smith, Morrill,, Of New jersey anC
Phelps, of Maryland.