The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-02-13
CONGRESS.

In the House, on the Sd, there was a debate
on the Freedman's Bureau bill MIR Marshall,
Of Illinois, first addressed the House. He de-
Died that the Federal government can become
the common almoner of the people, Chat is,
keep Bureau in existence for the support of
negroes and also denied that Congress could
put their hands Into the pockets of the poor
and industrious laborers and take part of their
hard earnings to distribute the money to those
who may need it. He denied that the Federal
government was established for any such pur-
pose, and further, there was no authority Or
warrant 10 the Constitution for such an extraor-
binary measure, This House had become
revolutionary tribunal, as lawless as that Of the
Jacobins in France hich brought the untortu-
nate Louis Sixteenth to the block, and was ami
mated by similar purposes. For the expression
of generous sentiments the gentleman from New
York Mr. Raymond was to be inundated aud
dragged down, and such epithets hurled at him
as were never heard before in deliberative
sembly. A willing and abject majority were
here to record the edicts Of dictatorship, which
has been established over every department of
the government. He stated at length his OBJ
lection to the bill.
February Oh the Senate, Mr. Fcssenden
called up the joint resolution from the COM
mittee on reconstruction, proposing constitu-
tlonal amendment basing representation upon
population, and excluding from representation
all persons denied suffrage on account of color.
Mr. Sumner spoke in opposition, and offered
substitute, declaring, that all persons shall be
equal before the law in civil and political rights
He occupied the attention of the Senate during
the entire day, and contended for perfect poiti-
cal and civil equality of all men.
In the House, an amendment to the rules was
offered, and laid on the table, setting apart one
day in each week for the consideration of pub
lie business, to be called white mans day.
A resolution offered instructiug the Com
mittee on Reconstruction to enquire into the
expediency of levying tax upon the rebelious
States, in order to defray the expenses of keep
ing up standing army among them, to keep
peace.
The House resumed the consideration of the
bill extending the powers of the Freedmen's
Bureau, and an amendment adopted that oper
ations be confined to those States where the
writ of heIeas corpus is suspended.
n resolution was adopted instructing the Re-
construction Committee to take into considera-
ton the subject of-remoying the Capitol of the
United States to more central position: to be
secure from foreign enemies, as we'll as to afford
more security to legislation.
February Gin the Senate, Mr. Wiley in.
troduced a resolution, which was adopted, .in-
structins the committee on the judiciary to re-
port bill for the payment of 10y al citizens of
the late rebelious States for Quartermaster's
stores, taken from them for the use Of the Uni
ted States army.
The House resumed the consideration of the
Freedmen's Bill. The first amendment, that
none of its privileges should extend to the State
OF kentucky, was rejected. The substitute for
the bill, proposed by Mr. Stevens, which pro-
vides, among other things, that occupants Of
| lands held under Gen. Shcrman's field order
are confirmed in their possession, and that no
persons shall BIO outsed therefrom unless settle
ment shall be made with the said occupants by
former owners, was also rejected. The bill then
passed by vote of 1876 to 80.
February 1.-The House debated bill set
ting apart all public lands in Mississippi, Lou
isiana, Arkansas and Florida, for homesteads
| for whites and blacks
In the Senate Mr. Clark reported bill pro-
viding for the punishment of persons for kidnap-
ping negroes.
Feb. Sin the Senate Mr. Dootttle present
ed the credentials Of Hon. John Pool, Senator
eject from North Carolina, which was ordered
to lie on the table.
The consideration of the constitutional amend
neDt was resumed in relation to representation.
! NJ Lane Of Indiana made speech 10 favor of
it,
The House passed bill dsposing of the pub
lie land in certain Southern States on the home
stead principle. Also discussed Navy appropri-
| alton bill Dir Rice, chairman of Naval affairs,
denied the statement that We we're prepared to
go to war with France and England.