Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-01-03
CONGRESSIONAL.
THURSDAY. January 2.

THURSDAY. January3
SkNATE.-The CHAR laid be fore the Senate a
communication from the Secretary OF the
Treasury, Enclosing a report and form Of A bill
from the Commissioner Of Internal Revenue
Oh motion Of Mr.. Re 50 anc en-, 5000 copies of
tie report and $50 Of the bill were ordered to be
pIinteo, and the communication referred to the
Mr.. Chandler presented petition from citi.
zens OF MichiSan, protesting against any cur
, u H OF tne national currency. Referred
Mr. Morgan presented several petitions from
merchants OF New York, praying against any
inert sse on duIes on steel, sugar. &C. Referred
mr.. CraRin introduced a bill in relation TO
the appointment OF Register of Wills and Regis
ter OF Deeds LOT the county OF Washington, Ia
ton TO the appointment of Marshal for the Dis
trict OF Columbia. Referred to COMMITTEES On
| the District Of Columbia
Mr.. Sumner introduced a resolution reouest
ing the Committee on the Judiciary TO ina uire
whether any action is necessary either by Iep
isla:ion or constitutional amendment, to pre-
ven, .ne sa,e Oh persons into slavery by decree
Mr.. Sumner said his attention had been called
| TO this matter, and proceeded 20 read two ad.
yertisements OF the sheriff of Anne Arundel
county, Md, advertising the sale of certain
negroes for term OF years by order OF the
Circuit Court for that county.
| Mr.. Sumner wished the Committee on thu
Judiciary to inquire into thls su bic CT and pre
sent their views TO the Senate. He had ms
doubts as 10 whether the Civil Rights hill COW
cred ii In regard TO the Constitutional amend
| ment abolishing slavery, he had thought the
| language used unhappy. Congress ne doubt
thought at the time that the term sinyoluutary
| servitude" only applied TO servitude by i'm
| prisonment, but as there was doubt in the
| matter, it would he wise to settle It.
MT salisbury said the ad vertispmepts read
ns me senator were nothing new. He had
oI'rh seen similar advertisements in Eastern
newspapers, and in none more than in those
OF me state or Massachusetts. The Legisla-
lure OF Maryland were now in session, and
he thought II would be we'll to await their
| action.
Mr.: Johnson said the whole matter would
soon be before the courts, and he thought it
would De better TO let the matter go before the
judiciary.
Mr.. CreswelI thought IL was eminentIv
| proper for the Judiciaiy Committee to azure
INTO it.
The resolution was then adopted
MT sherman presented a petition against
charge OF duties on railroad iron. Referred to
Committee on Finance
On motion OF Mr.. sumner, the Committee
| on the judiciary were instructed TO INQUIRE
whether any further Legislation is n acessary TO
saop .ne e. system on Indian peonage no w pre-
The bill to regulate the selection OF grand
and petit jurors in the Territory OF Utah was
taken up, an amendment offered by MIR flow
ard, and the bill laid aside
The unfinished business of December %
being the bill tor the admission of Nebraska
was taken up. the question being on the mo-
ZION 10 postpone and make the special order
agreed to
provide for the printing Of the last report of
the Commissioner OF the General Land Office
In the French, German and Swedish Ian guapes
for distribution at the Paris Exposition was
taken up; and after some discussion the resolu-
ton was adopted
On motion of Mr. Trumbull, the bill repeaI.
ing the 18th section of the act to suppress in.
snrrection and punish rebellion, was taken mn
the question being on the amendment of Mr.
salisbury, repeating the entire act: but was
temporarily laid aside.
HOUSE The Speaker laid before the Houss
communication from Secretary Of Treasury
transmitting communication from Hon
David A. Wells enclosing tariff bill proposed
as substitute for the custom laws now in
force. Referred to the Committee on WAYS and
Means.
Memorials we're presented from Dakota Ter.
ton of the laws Of said Territory; from Mon
tana Territory asking appropriation for sur
veys; and from the same Territory asking an
amendment OF the organic act so as to increase
the per diem of mem oers of the Territorial 7 GO
islature and others. Referred to the Commit
tee on Territories.
ations. reported bill making appropriation for
support Of the Military Academy at West
Point for the year ending June 80, 1868 Or.
dered to be printed and made the special order
Mr.. Wentworth IIl.l introduced a resolu.
ton instructing the judiciary Committee to
The discharge Of the assassins of President
Lincoln and others under the law of la63 as
interpreted by the Supreme Court, and to in.
quire INTO the repeal OF that law Objection
Was made. and it was laid over
Mr.. Hubbard Comm introduced a resolu.
ton. which was referred, declaring that not
single dollar should be appropriated for prop.
forts TO put down the rebellion.
Mr. Bundy introduced q joint resolution to
establish three territorial governments for
Texas. Referred mil
torres.
Mr. Ingersoll introduced a resolution. which
vas agreed TO, insructing the COMMITTEE ON
Military Affairs TO SO amend the law relating
10 compensation for horses lost in battle so as
TO include all lost in the service in the line Of
duty.
The House proceeded to the consideration NJ
the bill heretofore offered by Mr. Stevens, to
provide for loyal State governments in the late
rebellious States.
The bill was amended in the l4th Ii ne. 40 AZ
TO authorize the Supreme Court Of the Dis
trict OF Columbia TO appoint a commission for
each OF the States. who shall direct the mode
OF selecting elective officers, &c.
Mr.. Stevens proceeded to explain the bill
and said the recent decision of the Supreme
Court demanded Immediate action on the part
OF Congress. That decision, he said, took
away all protection from loyal citizens in the
late rebeiiiOns Stetes, ana the people there
were subjected to endless persecution Ii
Congress did not take some action. il would be
liable 10 the just censure of the civilized world
The military authorities are now powerless 10
offer any protection, and cannot enforce the
laws OF the country, and under the late deci-
sion an atrocious murderer (Watson) had al.
ready been released. Without the passage of
some such law as this, Mr.. Stevens argued
that our country was not more free than Per-
STA or Turkey.
Mr.. Stevens then proceeded TO argue at
length in favor OF the bill, and combatted the
views entertained by the President. He did
not consider that the adoption Of the constitu-
tional amendment should Of itself entitIe the
late rebel States TO representation In Congress-
Ivnvno rt ia AraD xuaa
the Southern States from falling into the hands
Of rebels.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Stevens remarks
Mr.. Ashley (Ohio) introduced q substitute for
the whole bill; which was or dered to be
printed.