Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1866-02-02
CONGREssIONAL SUMMARY.

The bill for the enlargement Of the pow
ers Of the Freedmcn's Bureau was discus
Sod in the Senate on Tuesday, goth ult.--
Mr.. Salisbury, Of Delaware, attacking the
measure from the Copperhead side, and
Mr.. Tessenden, Of Maine, making the
principal speech in its defense. Mr.. Fes-
sender, in the course Of his remarks, as
serted that there was no ground for the re-
ports that there was any conflict between
the President and the loyal members Of
Congress. In tho House, spirited de-
bate, often assuming the character Of yer-
bal diminishing, took place, in reference
to the proposed amendment Of the Consti-
tuition in regard to tho apportionme Of
taxation and representation. IL was par.
ticipated In by largo number Of mem-
bers. No final action was taken.
The Senate spent most Of Wednesdays
session in discussing the bill for the OK.
tension Of tho Freodmen's Bureau. Sew.
eral Coppcrhoad amendments were voted
down. The section guaranteeing the freed
men Of the Sea Islands possession of those
lands for three years was passed, and the
taking Of final vote on the bill fixed for
Thursday afternoon. Previous to this,
Garrett Davis will tpeak at length against
the measure. In tho House, tho whole
day was occupied in u debate on the pro.
posed constitutional amendment on taxa
ton and representation, The opposition
to the amendment reported by Mr.. Stevens
from the judiciary Committee increases,
and there seems TO be little probability OF
its receiving the necessary two-thrds vote.
The Senate on Thursday passed the bill
for extending the powers of the Freed
mems Bureau by q vote Of 81 TO 10, II
has yet to come before the House. In the
House the proposed constitutional amend
ment for rectifying taxation and repre-
sentation was debated at length No final
action was taken. The speech Of Mr..
Bingham, of Ohio. is noticed as being es-
pecially able and timely.
In tho Senate, on Friday, n bill was in.
troduecd by Mr.. Wade, providing for the
improvement of certain harbors in Ohio.
Speeches on reconstruction were made by
Senators Howe, Pomeroy and Salisbury.
The day was given up in the House to
speeches on the Constitutional Amend
mcnt The reply of Mr.. Mckee to Har-
ding, Of Kentucky, was particularly able
A letter from Governor Orr was read, pro-
testing against the guaranteeing of the
titles of the freedmen to the Sea Islands,
and motion was made in consequence to
reconsider the bill already passed by the
Senate, but was lost.
Mr.. Farquhar, Of Indiana, presented a
petition CT one thousand citizens of the
United States for an equalization Of boun-
ties to the soldiers of the Republic who
served in suppressing the rebellion; for an
increase Of pensions to disabled soldiers.
their widows and orphans; aud also re-
minding Congress of the sentiments of the
Republic in favor of the confscation of
rebel lands, and their donation to the SOL
diers.
The Senate was not in session on Satur--
day. The House met, for the purpose of
speech-making, in Committee of the Whole
on the state of the Union. Among the
speakers were Messrs. Smith, of Kentucky,
Baker, of Illinois, and Broomall, Of Penn
sylvania.