The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-05-08
CONGRESS-.

statesman aud pure patriot.
CONGRESS.
April 3O-In the Senate, Mr. -Fessenden,
from the Reconstruction Committee, reported
the bills and joint resolution published in anoth
er column, and stated in doing SO that it had
been the intention of the committee to accompa-
ny these bills and this joint resolution with a
lengthy written report, but such had been its sit
uation that this report had not yet been COM
pleted He hoped to be able to present it to
the Senate before long The bills and joint
resolution were ordered to be printed.
Mr. Howe, from the Library Committee, re-
ported joint resolution for the purchase o. the
library of James l.. Pettisru, of South Carolina,
for the law library of Congress.
A bill was passed authorizing the bridging Of
the Mississippi at Quincy, Illinois.
In the House, Mr. Stevens, from the Recon
struction Committee, reported the resolution
proposing an amendment to the Constitution,
which, under the suspension of the rules, was
made the special order for Tuesday week. The
bill for the admission of the Southern States,
also reported, was made the special order for
Wednesday week. The bill declaring certain
persons Ineligible to Office was made the special
order for Thursday week.
May In the Senate, Mr. Trambull
presented the petition of 146 citizens os
Staunton, Virginia, representing that the troops
having recently been Withdrawn from that place,
Unon men are being prosecuted by the rebels,
and praying that the troops should be returned
for the protection of loyal citizens. Referred
to Military Committee.
Mr. johnson read portion OF letter from
General Wade Hampton on the subject of the
Il. r. ~
Hampton controverts the statement recently
published by General Sherman that Columbia
was burned by his (ffampton's) orders. He
of Congress to investigate the subject. He
says his State is debarred from representation
and has no one to impose the taxes which she
is called upon to pay-none to vindcate her or
her sons from misrepresentation, injustice and
SANDER, and asks MIR johnson to see that justice
be done 10 this matter, though the Heavens
fall. Sherman said he could not allow this
charge of this most impudent letter against the
whole army to be entered upon the record with
out some answer The charge of General Sher-
man, in relation to the burning of Columbia,
was in al official report, and was fully sustained
by reports of other officers. Sherman did not
charge that Hampton gave an explicit order on
that subject, but simply that his previous order
in relation to burning of cotton, &c, caused
that result. Sherman read from the. various
official reports to confirm the charge against
General Hampton.
(See Gen Hamptons letter in another coimn.)
To the House, Messrs. Boutwell, of Massachu-
sets, and Bingham Of Ohio, gave notice that at
the proper time they should offer certain amend
ments to the report of the Joint Committee on
Reconstruction; and it was so ordered.
Mr. Elliot Of Massachusetts, offered resolu-
ton reciing that, in view of the alarming desti.
tuition prevailing 10 the South, especially in
Arkansas, Alabama and South Carolina, the
Committee On Freedmen be instructed to Inquire
into the expedency of appropriating 100000
to be expended in the distribution of rations Of
food under the direction of the Freedmen's Blu
reau. The resolution was agreed to.
The bill making appropriations for the use of
the Freedmen's Bureau was passed It will re-
uuire over eleven millions Of dollars
May 2 In the Senate, Mr. Williams offered
an amendment to the bill reported by the Com.
mittee OF Fifteen for the admission of the South
ern States. 1t provides that the States shall be
admitted after the 4th of March, 1867, with
the exception of Tennessee and Askansas, which
will be admitted Immediately on the ratification
of the proposed amendment Mr. Dixon also
offered 40 amendment, which declares that when
any of the lately rebeilous States shall present
itself not only in an attitude of loyalty, but re-
presented by men capable of submitting to Con-
stitut:opal tests, it shall be admitted to the
rights of representation.
The House voted on, and defeated the army
bill 1t will next consider the bill which has
passed the Senate for re-organizing the army.
May 3-In the Senate, the bill to establish
telegraphic communicating with Cuba, reported
from the Committee of Conference, vas passed,
and row awaits the signature of the President.
In the House, Mr. Stevens of Pennsylvania,
offered resolution rendering the congratula-
tions of the American Congress to the Emperor
of Russia and to the Russian serfs on the occa-
sion of the recent escape of the Emperor from
Mr. Ross of Illinois, insisted up
on the reference of the resolution to the Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs, whereupon Mr. Stevens
withdrew it. The bill for the admission of
Colorado was taken up and passed. ''--