Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-07-09
FROM WASHINGTON.
The Rump CONGRESS in Session.


upon the country, before its adjournment,
another series of outrages. We shall endeay-
OF to keep our readers advised of their move
ments, and with that view append several
items relating to their dOings during last
week -
WASHINGTON, July 3.-The result of to-
days proceedings in Congress is regarded as
defeat of the purposes of Mr.. Sumner and
other Congressman who desired to go into
general legislation, and especially to pass laws
regulating suffrage in all the States, adopt ar
ticles Of impeachment of the President, and
others OF the agitating measures suggested by
them as necessary.
1t is now confidently believed that Con-
gress will adjourn, at latest, by the 10th in
slant. The report of Messrs. Boutwell,, Will
liams, Thomas, and Lawrence, in favor of
impeachment, is already in type, and those
gentlemen expect to get their argument be-
fore the House before the close of the ses-
sion, Notwithstanding the apparent final de-
termination of Congress to cODfiue themselves
exclusively to the consideration of a supple
mentary act on reconstruction.
1t is regarded as certain that the House
will admit to their seats all the Kentucky
delegation save Mr.. Young, whose seat Is
contested by Mr.. Mckee.
In the Senate, Wednesday, Mr.. Sumner
submitted the following, and asked that it
lie on the table for the present.
ResOlUed, That the reconstruction of the
rebel States would be fastened, and the best
interests of the country promoted if the Pre-
sident OF the United States, in the exercise
OF the pardoning power, would require that
every landed proprietor who has been engaged
IN the rebellion, before receiving his pardon
therefor, should convey to the freedmen, his
former slaves, certain portion of the land on
which they have worked, SO that they may
have homestead in which their own labor
has mingled, and that the disloyal master may
not continue to appropriate to himself the
fruits Of their soil
The Radical Senators held a caucus We'd
nesday afternoon and adopted resolution
that nothing except what is necessary to re-
move the obstruction to the enforcement of
the reconstruction laws, as Congress intended
they should be enforced, should occupy the
attention OF the Senate during the present ses-
slon Senator Anthony, the chairman, was
instructed to report such u resolution to the
Senate on Friday.
Among the features of the bills proposed
on "Wednesday were the following in Mr..
brakes:
SECTION prohibits the commanding
general from ever appointing any person to
any office IN said States who has ever been
engaged in rebellion against the United
States, or given aid and comfort to the eue-
mics, and who cannot take the oath required
OF all officers of the United States.
"SECTIoN II provides that precedent to
the admission of any rebel State, its consti-
tuition shall provide that all elections shall
forever be by ballot and it shall ever remain
a member Of the American Union; that cv-
cry citizen owes paramount allegiance to the
United States, and that no law in contrayen-
ton of any law of the United States shall
have any binding force"
These are important only as showing what
Congress may do.
In the House, Mr.. Stevens, of Peppsvl-
wanna, said he had consulted with other mem
bers relative to the revival of the Joint COM
mlttee OF fifteen OF last Congress, and it SEEM
ed to be the opinion that separate committees
OF each House should be appointed, and he
therefore introduced u resolution authorizing
the appointment of a committee of nine
members to inquire what further legislation
1867, on the subject of reconstruction. and
to report by bill or otherwise.
The resolution was of course adoptsd
WASHINGTON, July 5.-SENATE.-A re,
solution was submitted that legislation he con-
fined to reconstruction and bills relating to #
only be acted upon.
A long debate ensued. during which it trans
PRED that thirteen senators in caucus voted
in favor Of universal suffrage.
The resolution restricting legislation was
finally passed-ayes, 10; nays, 9-the NAYS
being Buckalew, Drake. Fowler, Howe, Ross.
Sumner, Thayer. Upton and Wade.
Nh. Wilson stated in the course Of debate
that Secretary Staunton wanted no legislation
regarding the Judiciary, but needed money to
support reconstruction.
Adjourned till Monday.
HOUsE.-The Speaker presented memo.
rial from Green NJ. Adams against the adj
mission of Beck from Kentucky. Referred
to the Committee on Elections
The Speaker announced the Committee on
Reconstruction provided for by Wednesdays
resolution as follows: Stevens, Boutwell,
Bingham, FarnsWOrth, Hurlburd of New
York, Bernard, Paine, Pike, and Brooks.
Mr.. Payne moved to suspend the rules
that he might introduce joint resolution ten
dering the thanks of Congress to Major, Cen
Phil. II. Sheridan for his able and faithful
performance of his duty as commander of the
military district of Texas and Louisiana.
The rule was suspended 10; navs.
1S-and the resolution passed.
Additional papers regarding the Kentucky
delegation and protests from members whose
seats were not contested were received and re-
terred to the Committee of Elections.
n joint resolution of thanks to Generals
Schofeld, Sickles, and Pope was adopted.
General Schenck offered a resolution Of
thanks to Petroleum V. Nasty and Attorney
General Stanbery for their maintenance of