Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-01-20
Congress.
HOUSE.

| bill was LAID aside.
A communication was received from the
Secretary of the Treasury relative to the
decrease in our mercantile marine and sug-
gesting immediate legislation. Referred to
the Commerce Committee.
A bill regulating the compensation Of
pOstmasters was introduced and referred to
the Postolfice Committee.
A resolution was adopted instructing the
Committee on Commerce to inquire into the
expediency of amending the act of July
14th, 1862, SO as to exempt from tonnage
taxes all fatboats and barges on the west
ern waters carrying produce to market.
a resolution was adopted asking informa-
ton of the Secretary of the Treasury as to
what apportionment of authorized circulat-
ing notes has been made in the different
States and Territories.
A resolution was adopted that the Secre-
tary of War furnish copies of the cores
pondence between the Superintendent OF
Engineers Of the Army, relative to preserv-
ing cannon, captured during the rebellion,
at West Point.
A resolution was adopted instrueting the
Ways and Means Committee 10 inquire into
the expediency of repeating that portion of
the Revenue Law relative to stamp duties
on written instruments.
The House proceeded to the discussion of
the Presidents Annual Message.
Mr.. DEMING, of Connecticut. said he
would secure as preliminary conditions to
readmission:
First, That the State governments shall
be absolutely protected from repetition of
the rebellion by change of its organic
laws.
Second, That freedmen shall be secured
-
the civil and criminal laws, and endowed
with every political right necessary to
maintain their liberty.
Third, That the public credit shall be
protected as completely as it can by organic
laws, aud that there shall be no Reputation
of the public debt.
Fourth, There must be protection from
direct taxation or indirect for the payment
of the rebel debt and .....-.
Fifth, Amendment to the Constitution as
proposed by Mr.. Bingham, giving Congress
the power to make all laws necessary and
proper to secure to all persons in every
State equal protection to life, liberty and
property. More than this we might reason
ably ask, but not a iot less can we receive.
Mr.. SMITH, of Kentucky, said in reply
that it was impossible, from the character
of our Government, to withdraw a State
iToul buc Y OnlOls us but OOubu ubI6ulplSu.
No one was more opposed to treason and re-
bellion, with all accompanying horrors,
than himself, and he was fully impressed
with the conviction that we should teach all
men that treason is a crime and must be
punished. There were in the South large
mum bers Of men who never abandoned their
love of the Union and devotion to the flag.
Whatever number of such citizens, large
or small, in the Southern States, they were
entitled to the protection of the government,
and he was glad they were protected and
could re-assert their freedom and social and
and political rights under the con-
He argued that the Southern
States are still States for all practical pur-
poses and part and parcel of the nations
life, secession being wrong and in violation
of the constitution. 1t seems strange that
any man, especially 3 public man, should
the position that they are out of
the Union.
Before he concluded the Committee rose
and the House adjourned till Monday.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, January 19.-Mr. WILSON
offered bill to restrict the fees of Soldiers
Claim Agents to so, and to punish by fine
and imprisonment the exaction of larger
sum under any circumstances. Referred to
the Military Committee.
Mr.. SUMNER presented the petition of
the citizens of the District Of Columbia,
asking for the abolition of all laws Of dis
tinetion on account of color. Referred to
the Committee on the District of Columbia.
Mr.. RAMSEY, of Minnesota, introduced
a bill, which was referred to the Military
Committee, for the relief of certain officers
of colored troops, for services between date
of appointment and muster in, giving them
pay for that time.
Mr.. D00LITTLE-I rise to present the
credentials of Mr.. Marvin, Senator elect
from the State of Florida. In doing this 1
desire to say that personally l have known
this gentleman for nearly thirty years, and
of his character and high standing during
that period, and for his loyalty to the Gov
ernment of the United States during all
this struggle, it gives me great pleasure to
bear testimony. His services as a Judge of
the United States in the District of Florida
are known to the whole country. His ability
as judge in the administration of our laws
and in admiralty jurisdiction are known,
not only TO the country, but to the world.
One of the best works ever published on
admiralty jurisdiction, which is often quoted
in the courts Of England, was written by
him. He is able and willing to take the
oath which Congress has prescribed as being
necessary to be taken by every member of
the House and Of the Senate when they en-
ter this body.
After some debate the credentials were
ordered to lie upon the table.
Mr.. LANE, Of Indiana, called up the bill
in relation to pension agencies, giving the
appointing power to the President instead Of
as at present to the Secretary of the Interior,
and giving to the President also the right Of
defining the DensiOu districts
Pending the discussion Of the above sub
iect the morning hour expired and the
Chair announced that the bill to enlarge the
powers of the Freedmen's Bureau was in
order, and this bill was accordingly taken
up
Mr.. HENDRICKS, of Indiana, spoke at
length in opposition to the measure, alleg-
ing that the condition of the country rem
dered such legislation unnecessary. He
read from the Presidents message to sUs-
tain the assertion that the Southern people
showed willingness TO acquiesce in the re-
suit of the war. He called attention to the
report Of General Grant and his idea of the
best means of continuing the Freedmen's
Bureau, which he said differed essentially
from the provisions of the bill before the
Senate. He objected to extending its juris-
dletion over the North as well as the South,
and as an item of expense which the people
ought not be called upon to bear. 1t would
cost, according to the estimate made, S12,-
0OO,0O0 for the ensuing year. An expense
within 100000 Of the cost of maintaining
the whole government under the admins
tration of John Quincy Adams.
The only section of the bill he would en-
dorse was that proposing to set apart 3,000,-
900 acres of the public lands for homes for
freedmen. -becausa- -he- -helieXed that SnlnA-
the validity of the title of land given by
Gen. Sherman to the negroes, holding that
q. commanding general could not transfer
one mans property to the possession of
another, except for the time during which
he occupied the soil as conqueror. Posses
sion, he said, ceases with the departure oil
the army. He deemed it the right of Con-
eress to purchase houses for freedmen. II
freedmen were to be dependents upon Con-
gress they should be provided for by the
States and not by the general Government
Mr.. TRUMBULL replied that the Freed
mems Bureau was established for the pro-
lection and care of the large class Of people
who had been thrown upon the hands Of the
Government, and must have perished but
for its care and protection. >.
Mr.. HENDRICKS denied the power oi
the Government to protect people under
such circumstances. He shOnld remember
that Congress recently appropriated half
million dollars to make provision for destl
tute Indians, many OF whom hac
rebeHed against the Government. Govern
1nent has always taken care OF such help
less persons as were thrown upon its care
| The Freedmen's Bureau was not intended
| as permanent institution. Il was only
I . -