Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-07-11
pRooEEDINes OF CONGRESS-.

PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
Congress met on Wednesday last. A
quorum was present in both branches
Without transacting any business, ex-
cepting appointing Committee to wait
on the President, an adjournment took
place until Friday.
FRIDAY, July s, 1867.
Mr.. Farnsworth reported in the House
that the President had no communities
ton TO make to Congress at the present
time.
The temper of Congress appears to be
unmistakably in favor of "a short session,
during which all energies shall be devo-
ted TO the work of perfecting the neces-
sary legislation for reconstruction. In
the Senate, there was u lively de-
bate OH motion of Mr.. Anthony to
confine business to the matter of recon-
struction. Mr.. Sumner offered substi-
tute motion, advocating 1t by couple of
speeches, in which he said the treaties
with South America and Russia, the con-
dition of our Indian affairs, and the ques-
ton of universal suffrage, were all of
pressing importance, but he could obtain
but six votes for the substitute. Another
amendment, excepting Indian affairs
from the matters of excluded legislation,
numbered but fifteen votes. Mr.. Ed
munds offered bill regulating the mat
ter of registration, defining the duties of
registration boards and the qualifications
of voters, which was ordered to be print
/ ed. In the House, the Speaker announc-
| ed the Committee of Nine on Reconstruc-
ton as follows: Messrs. Stevens, Bout
well. Bingham, Farnsworth, Hurlburd,
Beaman, Paine, Pike and Brooks. This
Committee will work in conjunction
with the judiciary Committee OF the
Senate. Mr.. Marshall endeavOred to get
the eases of two of the Kentucky delega-
ton out of the Committee on Elections
and have them sworn in, but the meas
ure was vigorously and effectively oppos-
ed The thanks of Congress were voted
to Generals Sheridan, Pope, Schofield
and SicSles, for the conduct OF their duties
as district commanders. The President
stated to the Joint Committee that he
had no communication to make to Con-
gress.
The following bill has been agreed
upon by the Joint Committee on Recon-
struction, and will be reported ut an
early day:
Section declares the true intent and
meaning of Congress to have been, that
the provisional governments heretofore
existing i'm the rebel States were illegal
and void, and that they were to be con-
tary commander and the authority OF
Congress only.
Section 9 provides that the act to which
this is supplemental, and also that OF
, March 23d, shall be construed to author
, ize military commanders, whenever they
deem it necessary, to remove or suspend
|, any official, State or municipal, in exer
: cising authority, by virtue of such Pro
visional Government, and to appoint
others to fill their places, and that suci
commanders shall also have power t.
prohibit, suspend or set aside any act o
such government or of any subordinate
authority thereof, the intent OF the afore
. said act being that such governments
: shall be continued subordinate to th'
military, and all acts done by such com
manders shall be deemed valid.
: Section provides that Boards of Reg
o istration shall admit to registry onl.
T. such persons as they shall deem entitled
!, to registration under the provisions o
S prescribed by the act of March Sd shall
not be regarded as conclusive as to righ
of registration, but as prima facie evi
dence. They may receive such evidence
y under oath as they may deem prOpe
g from the person applying to be register
It ed. or others. Boards of registration ma.
@ strike from the list the names of person
IS already registered who, in their jude
s. mcnt, Improperly took the oath, or ar
3, not entitled to, or were governed in thei
e action by any opinion of any officer
o the United States Government. RecOr
c of evidence to prove participation In tn
o late rebellion on the part of those apply
) ing for registration shall not be required
Parole evidence shall be sufficient.
r. Section provides that no civil couI
n of the United States or any State shal
II have jurisdiction of any proceedings
q civil or criminal, against any such Dis
trict Commander, for any official &C
y done under these acts.
y Section declares that no Distric
n Commander shall be removed from til
l. command assigned to him without tn
Of advice and consent of the Senate, or vi
ID less cashiered or dismissed, or unless h
Il consents thereto.