Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-12-12
Congressional Proceedings.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3

of both Houses were densely crowded.
There was quorum present, and punctu
tually at twelve o'clock, the presiding officer
of both Houses appeared aud called their re
spective branches to order.
Credentials from Messrs. Burnett aud Rob
erls, from Texas laid on the table.
Sumner moved to take up the bill estab-
fishing negro suffrage in the District of Co
lumbia, saying the people Of the country de
mended its passage and would hail it with
Joy. After slight discussion, the Chair decided
that the motion to take UP the bill was no
now in order.
Among the bills introduced was one bJ
Chandler, requesting the President to com
municate 10 ihe.Senate whether the Emperoa
of France had complied with the stipulation<
entered into with Cur Government relative tc
the withdrawal OF French troops from Mexico
The Message of the President was com
munica:ed ah""+ two o'clock, and read by
the Secrets After the adoption Of the
usual moi to print, the Senate adjourned
A res' luton was introduced in tie House
by Elliot, of Massachusetts,, providing for the
appointment of standing committee to be
designated " "Committee on Freedmen"
Boutwell, introduced bill calling upon the
Secretary Of State for all correspondence re-
lative to arrest of John Ii. Surratt Schenck
offered bill to provide that the regular time
of meeting of the Fortieth Congress and of
every subsequent Congress shall be at II,
noon, on the 18th of March, and the ensuing
session on the lst of January. This bill was
made the special order for Thursday. Gar
field introduced similar measure.
Stevens presented bill to regulate remov-
ais from Office 1t provides that in all cases
of appointment where the consent CT the
Senate is necessary, the President shall not
make removals while tha Senate is in session
unless concurred in by that body. Appoint
ments made during recess must be submitted.
under the provisions Of this bill, within ten
days after the Senate assemblies for confirms
ton. The bill was made the special order
for Friday next.
The day was consumed entirely with the
introduction Of resolutions and bills, until
the arrival Of the Message, before which
Stevens made an Intellectual motion to adjourn.
Mr.. Elliot asked Leave during the session
to-day TO introduce a bill to repeal the 18th
section of the act Of July 18th, 1850, which
section authorizes the President to extend,
by proclamation, to persons who may have
participated in the rebellion, pardon and am.
ne:ty, with such exceptions, at such times
and on such conditions as'he mi .ht deem ex
pedcnt for the public good. Mr.. Finch OBJ
ecled to ITS Introduction, the rules requiring
one days notice; bat, on motion Of MIR.
Elliot, the rules were suspended and the bill
passed by vote Of Ill to 20.
WASHINGTON, Dee. 4:-SLNArE-Sumncr
gave rotice that he will, morrow, intro
duce resolutions declaring the power Ct Cor
prcss On the SUBJECT Of reconstruction, and
t he right TO exclude the late rebcllious States
from Congressional representation, and from
voting on constitutional amendments.
Chandler moved, but the Senate refused 10
take up the House bill to amend the act Of
1852 so as TO take away the power of the
President 10 grant amnesty. Adjourned.
Housg-Wentworlh introduced resolution
which was adopted, insisting on the adoption
of the Constitutional Amendment before the
House will considerable propriety of giving
the Southern States representation.
y resolution vas adopted directing an in
oniry as to the expejiency of repeating the
cotton tax.
Mr.. Broonal, of Pennsylvania, offered a
esolu,ion-adopted 107 to 37-inStruc;iug
the Committee on Territories to inquire into
tue propriety of extending territorial organi
cations over the States recently in iusurrcc
ton.
The Joint Committee on Reconstruction is
revived.
Tho House Committee Of Judiciary have
reported against repeating so much OF the
c1nGscation act as prohibits the forfeiture OF
tho real estate Of the deliuquents beyond the
term of their natural lives. They say that to
forfeit atogetherthe property Of those engaged
in the late rebellion, would be the enactment
of &c post facto law within the meaning of
constitutional iuterdict by annexing to
crime already committed new and addition
al punishment.
Representative Bingham personally denies
the truth of telegram circulating through
the press that he was engaged in preparing
artcles'of impeachment against the President
on the ground of complication in the assas-
sination of Lincoln. He say he never had
such a design, nor has he ever so intimated.
In the House to-day Stevens offered a res
olution for the appointment of committee
Of five. to report to House at next session,
tho past and present relations existing be-
tween the Federal Government and the rail-
roads in the States lately in rebellion; the
amount Of money expended by the United
States in constructing, repairing, equipping
and managing such roads; the amount now
due BIZ each of them to Government, &C.; alse,
as 10 the proper course to be taken by the
Government in relation to said railroads.
WAsHINcroy, December 5,-The Senate
adopted the list of Standing Committees
agreed upon by the Republican Senators in
the caucus to-day. Sumner remains as Chair
man of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
Wilson, Committee on Military Affairs; Grimes
Committee on Naval Affairs; Wade, Com
mittee on Territories. The three friends OF
The Presldent-Doolittlc, Dixon and Cowan
-bayc been deprived of the Chairmanship OF
the Committees respectively Of Indian Affairs
Post Office and Patents. No committees are
now headed by friends OF the Administra,
ton.
In the Senate, Mr.. Wade introduced bill
for the admission Of Nebraska into the I'm
ion, which was ordered to lie upon the table
for the present. ,-,r
In tho Senate, Mr.. Williams introduced 8
resolution, directing the Joint Committee or
Rctrenchments TO inquire into the power o.
the President to restore confiscated property
and, if such power exists under what . laws ,,'
Treasury to restore lands without payment o
toxe, and costs incurred under authority o
United States laws. Adopted.
Mr.. Sumner offered series Of resolutions
declaring the principles of Reconstruction, tn
jurisdiction of Congress over the whole sub
iect the illegality Of existing Governments il
the the South, aud the exclusion of such Estates States
sional representation, and from voting on th !.
Constitutional amendments: They also dt
clare that it is the duty Of Congress TO Pre-