Smyrna times., 1866-04-25
Congress-.

Nothing of special interest was done in the
Senate on Tuesday of last week
In the House abill was reported making an
preparations for the repair and improvement of
certain harbors. The remainder of the day
was principally occupied in the consideration of
the bill to re-organize and establish the army
of the United States. After debate the motion
to strike out the provision for the retention of
the Veteran Reserve corps was rejected-yeas
30, nays S4 A proposition to repeal all laws
authorizing the enlistment of colored troops
was also rejected-yeas 33, nays IS.
The Senate on Wednesday passed the joint
resolution from the House extending the thanks
of Congress to MajOr-Gen. Hancock for gallant
services, and the bill appropriating $l2l 900 to
carry out certain Indian treaties. The bill to
reimburse the contractors for building iron-clads
was again discussed and laid over. Several
amendments to the post-offce appropriation
bill were agreed to, and one proposed that no
money should be paid to any postmaster after
the adjournment of the Senate whose nomina-
ton has not been confirmed. This amendment
led to debate, and was laid over. The bill to
amend the habeas corpus act, so as to protect
military officers from the consequences of acts
done during the rebellion was taken up. An
amendment was r0posed to except from the
provisions of the bill acts done in States now
represented in Congress and where martial law
did not prevail. An interesting debate ensued
on this amendment, and continued until the
Senate adjourned.
Very little business was transacted in either
House Thursday. In the Senate Mr.. McDou-
gall made an apology for the remarks he made
on Monday last i'll reply to his colleague, Mr.
Conness The motion to reconsider the vote
by which the Territory of Colorado was refused
admission was taken up. After debate the mo-
ton was agreed to and the subject postponed
until Tuesday next
The House reconsidered and passed the bill
increasing the salary of the Commissioner of
Pensions to $4,000, and his chief clerk to So
800 per annum. Several bills were introduced,
and the bill to reOrganize the army considered
until the adjournment
In the United States Senate on Friday, the
Lfd6eds Corpus bill was taken up, and the first
section amended, so that no order ola superior
should be defence for unnecessary cruelty
The bill was finally passed by vote of 30 yeas
to nays.
In the House, bill was passed, giving Ish-
mael Day. the Maryland patriot an annuity of
S42l 80. The bill appropriation $ll5,0O for
printing deficiencies was passed.
In the United States Senate, on Monday of
this week, a resolution was adopted looking to
the exclusion of nitro -glyccrine from the Unit
ed States The House bill for the reorganiza
ton of the Pay Department of the Navy was
passed, with amendments which send it back
to the House. The Postal Appropriation bill
was considered.
In the House, resolution in relation to nj
tro-gycerine was adopted. The Judiciary
Committee reported adversely to the Presi-
dents recommendation for a modification OF
the test oath. A joint resolution was passed
authorizing the President to carry out quaran-
tine and other measures against the cholera OF
relation to the French withdrawal from Mexi
co, which was referred to the Foreign Commit.
tee.