Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-03-26
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.


Without action on this motion, the Senate took
up the supplemental bill as returned from the
House, and concurred in its amendments, ex-
cept that requiring a majority of registered vo-
tiers to ratify the Constitution.
The bill requiring the Secretary Of War to
furnish Governor Brownlow, of Tennessee, with
arms for two thousand five hundred militia,
was passed. Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The President was called on for information
relative to Fenian affairs in Canada, and the
French evacuation of Mexico.
A Joint resolution excluding liquor from the
Capitol building and adjacent grounds was
passed.
The Senate Supplemental bill was taken up.
A clause was added to the oath, that the appl-
cant for registration had never been a member
of State Legislature or held judicial office,
and afterwards aided in the rebellion This
was done to cover cases in Virginia where, since
1859, such officers were not required to swear
to support the Federal Constitution. In the
9th section, the clause requiring at least half of
the registered voters to ratify the Constitution,
was stricken out A clause, making false swear
ing punishable, was added and the bill passed.
A resolution allowing a suspension Of the
rules by two-thirds during this session, was
adopted.
A resolution instructing the Judiciary Com
mittee to inquire whether Maryland has con-
stitution which Congress can consistently re-
cognize as Republican, was adopted
A joint resolution directing the suspension of
payment for drafted or enlisted slaves, and dis
charging the commissioners under said law was
passed.
A resolution that money captured and pro-
ceeds Of captured property be paid into the
Treasury was adopted. 1t includes several mil
lions now on special deposit in the Treasury
Adjourned.
SENATE, Tuesday, March 19.-The joint res
olution suspending the payment for enlisted
slaves was postponed.
The credentials Of the Senator from Maryland
was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
A bill excluding from either House persons
tainted with rebellion, was referred to the same
committee
The committee of conference reported the
supplemental bill A majority of the voters
are sufficient to ratify the Constitution provided
majority of the registered voters vote. There
is an additional clause that Congress must be
satisfied that the registered voters had unre
strained liberty to vote and that the Constitu-
ton meets the approval Of majority OF the
qualified electors of the State. The bill in this
form was then passed. Adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
A resolution suspending the issue Of agricul-
tural college scrip to the insurgent States was
passed-l03 to %.
A joint resolution to publish the laws and
treaties in three Louisiana papers was passed,
Mr.. Stevens called up his confscation bill,
and proceeded to read his speech, but soon
broke down, and it was finished by the clerk
Its further consideration was postponed until
the second Tuesday in December.
The House went into committee on the one
million relief bill. Butler offered his amend
ment as substitute. 1t provides that all own
ing one hundred and sixty acres, or enjoying an
income of over six hundred dollars, be taxed by
the commanding general for the support OF the
poor. The committee rose, after long debate,
without action.
The supplemental bill, as reported by COM
mittee Of conference, was passed. 1t goes to
the President Adjourned
SENATE, Wednesday, March pa petition
from Ohio women for suffrage was referred to
the Judiciary Committee.
A bill prohibiting Federal diplomatists from
wearing uniform not authorized by Congress,
was passed.
The Territorial Committee reported favorably
on the bill for the admission of Colorado.
The Senate, after discussing Indian affairs,
adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The Committee on Foreign Relations was in.
structed to report means by which to procure
the release of Rev John Mcmahon, sentenced
to Imprisonment for life in Canada also to re-
port means for enforcing claims of citizens Of
the United States against Great Britain, pend
ing in 1858 and accrued since.
A resolution instructing the Committee on
Public Lands to report on the expediency of
providing for the forfeiture of bonds granted
the Southern States in 1856 to complete certain
railroads, was offered, but its consideration was
postponed.
A resolution instructing the Committee on
Rules to constitute a standing committee on
labor was adopted.
The House went into committee on the Mil
lion Relief bill, and adjourned without action.
An attempt was made to introduce bill to
pay Southern treasury agents who could take
the oath, but Butler objected.
SENATE, Thursday, March 2l.-The bill ex-
empting wrapping paper made from wood and
corn stalks from internal revenue was passed.
An amendment taxing script issued by any
national bank, State, municipality or corpora
ton was adopted.
The bill suspending payment for slaves enlist
ed was passed.
Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
The resolution to send evidence to the Senate
affecting two Senators in connection with the
New York Custom House frauds was passed.
The Senators alluded to are supposed to be
Messrs. Patterson and Doolittle.
The Million Relief Bill again came up, and
Butler again opposed it In violent speech
The debate took wide range, with a severe
passage between Butler and Bingham. Mr..
Bingham said he repealed with scorn any utter
ances affecting his integrity and honor from any
man, whether he be the hero Of Fort Fisher
taken or Fort Fisher not taken. He proceeded
in denouncing Butler amid roars of laughter
and some excitement.
Butler rose to reply, but the committee rose.
Butler appealed for an opportunity to answer.
Mr.. Eldridge hoped the House would not
'bottle up the gentleman from Massachusetts,,
and unanimous consent was given
Butler proceeded to defend himself for voting
for Mr. Davis at the Charleston Convention
He had hoped thereby to save the country
He did the best he could during the war, but
the only victim of the gentleman's (Bingham's)
powers that he (Butler) knew of was an inno-
cent woman hanged On the scahold. He al
luded to Mrs. Surratt in whose prosecution
Bingham was an active manager.
The committee rose, and, without vote, the
House adjourned.
SENATE, Friday, March 22nd.-A petition
for the strict enforcement of the laws in Utah
was referred to the Committee On Territories
Mr.. Wilson introduced concurring resolution
regarding Jefferson Davis. 1t concludes that
moderate Justice, sound public policy and the
national honor are united in recommending the
speedy trial or release on bail of the prisoner"
1t was laid over. Mr. Wilson will endeavor to
get a vote on 1t before the adiourpment