The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-12-06
Congressional.

WASHINGTON, December 5.-The Senate
adopted the list of Standing Committees
agreed upon by the Republican Senators
in the cancus to-day. Sumner remains as
Chairman OF the Committee on Foreign
Affairs; Wilson, Committee on Military Af-
fairs; Grimes, Committee on Naval Af-
fairs; Wade, Committee on Territories.
The three friends of the President Doc
little, Dixon and Cowan-have been de-
prlved of the Craftsmanship of the Commit
tees 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
Union, which was ordered to lie upon the
table for the present. Mr.. Williams offered
resolution, instructing the Committee on
Retrenchment to inquire to what extent
the President has L right to restore confis-
Gated property under the laws of the United
States, II such laws exist, and to what eS-
tent 1T can be executed, &C., which was
adopted. Mr.. Trumbull moved the refer
ence OF the bill to repeal the Presidents
amnesty power to the Committee on the
Judiciary. This gave rise to debate, at the
conclusion of which the bill was referred.
Mr.. Sumner offered the resolutions on re-
construction OF which he gave notice yes
terday. They assert the right of Congress
over the subject OF reconstruction, and
deny tho right OF the lately rebellious
States to pass upon constitutional amend
ments. Read and ordered to be printed.
In the Senate, Mr.. Williams introduced
a resolution, directing the Joint Commit
tee on Retrenchments to inquire into the
power OF the President to restore contiscat-
ed property, and, If such power exists,
under what laws, and also the right Of the
Secretary of the Treasury to restore lands
without payment of taxes and costs in
Cured under authority OF United States
laws. Adopted.
Mr.. Sumner offered a series of resolu-
tlons, declaring the principles of recon
structor, the jurisdiction of Congress over
the whole subject, the llegality of existing
Governments in the South, and the exclu-
sion OF such States, with such illegal Gov
ernments from Congressional representa-
tion, and from voting on the Constitu-
tlonal amendments. They also declare
that it is the duty of Congress to proceed
with the work ot reconstruction, and to
this end 1t must assume jurisdiction over
States lately i'll rebellion, except so far as
that Jurisdiction may have been renounced;
and must recognize only the loyal States as
entitled to repres sentation, and to vote on
the Constitutional amendment He said
he would not discuss the resolutions, but
would read a letter from friend in Texas
showing the Importance OF the matter
which he did; and after concluding, made
some characteristic remarks. The resolu-
tlons were ordered to be printed.
In the House, Mr.. Williams, of Pennsyl-
yania, called up the bill of last session for
the regulation OF appointments to, and re-
movals from Office, and addressed the
House in advocacy of it.
In the House, bill repeating the par
donlng power OF the President was taken
up. Mr. Trumbullmoyed to refer it to the
Committee on the judiciary, which Mr..
Chandler earnestly opposed, and called for
the yeas and nays; and on the motion
some discussion ensued, during which Mr.
Chandler made assertions and charges re-
spectlng the use of the pardoning power,
Wnlcn called tor an emphatic denial from
MT. Dixon, who said that, if the charges
winch Chandler had made against the Pre-
Sldent were true, they would render him
nap!e to impeachment. He repeated the
denial OF any OF the charges or practices
spoken OF. After some further remarks.
the bill was referred to the Judiciary Com
mittec.
The House passed bill, providing that
in all cases where u citizen of the United
States, who always remained loyal thereto.
and did not voluntarily give any aid or
encouragement to any persons engaged in
teoeAAoh, SHall prlHS an acllon 10 recover
damages for injury to person or property,
or the value thereof no such action shall
be defeated or any defence allowed by
virtue OF authority of the late so-cailed
Confederate States of America, or of any
State declared in rebellion by proclamation
of the President of the United States
Mr.. Morrell gave notice that he would
call up, on Monday next, the District Of
Columbia negro suffrage bill.
In the House, Mr.. Williams read q
lengthy written argument, on the bill
regulating appointments 70 and removals
fror: office. He was very severe upon the
President, whom he said had betrayed his
party and country. Several amendments
were offered to the bill, winch was made
the special order for tomorrow.