The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-02-22
TIIE NEW ERA, FEBRUARY %. 1866.


half-and-hali speech, by assuming that
the States were still in the Union. but
had partly | st their relations to the
| Federal GoVernment-sO much SO that
it was necessary for them to undergo
some disciplinary punishm. mt before
getting back again. Mr.. Rogers of
New Jersey gave notice of his intention
to introduce Il bill to repeal all acts of
Congress eXempting Government secu-
rites from Federal and State taxation.
| Mr.. Delano of Ohio spoke on the politi-
cal relations Of the Southern States,
taking the ground that these States
were still States, with the right of local
and domestic government, but not as
yet in a condition to demand the adj
mission Of their members. He was
followed by Mr.. Williams of Pennsyl-
vania, who took the Thad. Stevens
ground that the States were suhjugated
provinces, to be governed by the "loy-
al'' States as such, and that the Presi-
dents theory was as 1allaeiOus as any
that could find favor with rebels North
or South. He charged the Executive
with having usurped powers not be-
longing to him, and as having become
essentially dictator. He commended
sides registering the edicts of the Presi-
dent, in this matter of reconstruction
The speech was OF the very worst type
of Black Republican Radicalism, and
occupied about two hours in its delivery.
At five O'Clock the House adjourned, to
meet again on Monday.
SENATE-Feb. IS.
Mr.. Morgan, of New York, presented
the credentials of Mr.. Parsons, Senator
elect from Alabama, which were order
ed to lie on the table. Mr.. Sherman,
of Ohio, presented a petition asking
that congressional action, based on sla-
very, be abolished. Mr.. Fessenden, of
Maine reported an amendment to the
Constitution, to enlarge the powers Of
Congress OH the subject Of civil rights
Mr.. Brown, of Missouri, offered reso-
luton, which was adopted, instructing
the Committee on Commerce to inquire
what legislation is necessary to protect
the lives Of passengers on Western
steamboats, from accidents caused by tu-
bular boilers. Mr.. Morgan called up
the House bill for the Withdrawal of
goods from bonded warehouses, the
question being on the motion of Mr..
Sprague of Rhode Island for
reconsideration. Mr.. Sprague spoke
against the bill, but no action was taken
upon it. Mr.. Wilson from the Military
Committee, reported the bill to fix the
peace establishment of the United States
which was ordered to be printed. The
Constitutional Amendment in regard to
representation was then taken up, when
Mr.. Henderson Of Missouri spoke in ia
vor of an amendment, preventing any
State from withholding suffrage on ac-
count of color. The Senate then went
into Executive Session and soon after
adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, IL
Mr.. Whaley of West Virginia, offered
a series of resolutions affirming the
Monroe doctrine, and requesting the
President to enter into an alliance with
all the republics on this continent to re-
sist the encroachments of the French,
which was referred to the Committee
on Foreign Relations. Mr.. Smith of
Kentucky offered resolution extend
ing the privileges Of tn floor to James
M. Johnson, the member elect from Ar
kansas. A general discussion ensued,
in which Thad. Stevens declared, among
other Radical utterances, that it was
monstrous to thus admit men rs MEM
berS from defunct States. Several Re
publican members spoke in favor of adj
hitting to the floor; but the resolution
was finally laid on the table by major
| ity of eight. Mr.. Bingham, OF Ohio, re-
ported an amendment to the Constitu-
! ton, to be submitted to the State Legis-
latures, proposing that Congress shall
have power to make all laws which may
be necessary and proper to secure to the
citizens of each State all the privileges
and imlnunities of the citizens of the
several States, and to all persons in the
several States equal protection to life,
liberty and property. The amendment
was recommitted to the Joint Commit
tee on Reconstruction to- be reported
again next Monday. The House then
proceeded to the consideration of the
Michigan election case, when Mr.. Bald
win Of Massachusetts, spoke against the
claim OF Mr.. Trowbridge the sitting
member. The question was discussed
at some length, when the House adj
journed.
SENArE.-Feb. IA.
Mr.. Grimes presented the petitions OF
Messrs. Cooper, Stokes, Maynard and
others, Representatives elect from the
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