The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-18
Congressional.

WASHINGTON, December 17.-Senate.-
A resolution promotive of the prompt pay
ment of claims was introduced. In the
course of debate on it it was maintained
that the accounting officers assumed too
much jurisdiction.
Mr.. Sherman reported bill funding the
debt; the consideration of which was post
poned.
a resolution calling on the President for
the instructions given to officers under the
act of 1862 to suppress the rebellion and
punish treason, with the amount Of money
realized, and the number of the victims,
was adopted.
Mr.. Davis offered q resolution calling
for the aggregate expenditures of the
Freedmen's Bureau since 1865. Several
senators objected, as much Of the expen-
diture was for white refugees. Pending
the discussion, the morning hour expired,
and the repeal of the cotton tax was taken
up.
Mr.. Conklin (Republican), Of New York,
said that helping hand had been extend
ed to the destitute communities of the
| South. The direct tax had been suspend
cd, tax removed from sugar machinery,
SC. He thought if the visible head Of the
Government, and one Of the parties Of this
country, had let the southern people
alone-if the people had stopped swagger-
ing about and talking about representa-
ton in Congress, and gone to work to build
up their impoverished country, they would
to-day have been much happier, and SO
would we. If this tax was taken off it
would wipe out 32O,0OO,OOO of revenue,
and they knew not where to 60 to replace
it. Mr.. Conklin indicated disposition to
vote for reduction of the tax, but main
tanned that the proper course was to post
pone the bill to February or March, when
the whole subject of revenue would be up
and he gave notice of his intention to make
motion to that effect.
Mr.. Morton contended that cotton should
not be entirely exempt from the burdens
of the Government. The discussion as
sumed political turn, and the subject
was postponed for the Executive session
after which the Senate adjourned.
HouSe.-After general business, Mr.
Stevens introduced bill regarding recon
struction. Objection was made, and the
bill was postponed. This bill makes ma.
iority of the votes cast sufficient for the
ratification of q constitution. The second
section relates to the election Of represen'
tatives at the time Of voting on the consti
tuition and provides that they shall take
their seats at the session succeeding
the one at which their States are
admitted. Section three provides that unit
new apportionment the States shall be
represented as follows: South Carolina
six representatives-two of whom shall bt
elected by the State at large: North Caro-
lima, eight-one to be elected by the State
at large Georgia, eight-one to be elect
ed by the State at large; Florida, one
Alabama, eight-two elected at large
Mississippi, six-one elected at large
Louisiana, six-one elected at large
Texas, fve-one elected at large; AT
kansas, three. No number Of representa-
tives is given Virginia.
The judiciary Committee was directed
to continue its examinations regarding TIT
existence of a republican form of govern
ment in Maryland.
| The House went into Committee OF TIT
Whole, and after receiving communlca
ton from the Executive adjourned.