The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-07-23
CONGRESS.

| July 15.-1n the Senate, the House bill ap-
propriating over million and half dollars for
reconstructien purposes, was reduced to a mil
lion by amendment and passed, yeas 81, nays 8.
A bill for the relief of certain deserters was re-
ferred to the Military committee.
The Presidents message, suggesting Federal
liability for the Southern State debts, caused an
animated debate, in which it was violently de-
nounced as inopportune and calculated to un-
settle finances. The message was ordered to be
printed.
In the House, a resolution was introduced
and passed instructing the committee OF Public
Lands to report bill forfeitiog the swamp lands
heretofore granted to the Southern States by
the United States
A resolution instructing the Judiciary COM
mittee to enquire whether Kentucky, Maryland
and Delaware have State Constitutions republi.
can in form, was passed by the Speakers vote
the House standing AZ to A.
The bill passed last session, prohibiting the
Executive from treating with the Indians, was
repealed. There was applause from the Demo.
cratic side of the House over the first step back
ward.
July 16.-1n the Senate, bill relieving GER
tain deserters passed. The President sent 10
message regarding the Russian treaty and ask
ing for an appropriation to carry it out. Also
Convention between the United States and
Venezuela, providing for settlement of claims
of citizens of the United States against Vene-
zuela
| 10 the House, Mr. Stevens introduced two
bills on reconstruction. One is entitled bill
to enable the inhabitants of the Southern Terri
tories to form State Governments. Ordered to
be printed and referred to the Committee on
| Reconstruction
The President notified speaker Colfax that
the veto of the new reconstruction bill would
be sent 10 on Thursday.
July 17.-1n the Senate, Mr. Wilson pro-
posed the following amendment to the Const.
tu:ion: sNo distinction shall be made by the
United States, nor any State, among citizens in
their civil or political rights, on account of
color" Ordered to be printed.
bill that no person shall be disqualified by
reason of race or color from holding Office in the
District of Columbia passed, rs to S. The nays
were Messrs: Bayard, Buckalew, Davis, Hen
bricks and Johnson
ln the House, Nj Butler rose to a question
of privilege, and made allegations in regard to
prisoners. A colloquy ensued. Mr. Baldwin
asked MIR Eldridge whether he expected the
House to take General Guilds statements against
the testimony and statements of Union officers?
MIR Eldrdge believed that Gen. Butler him
self would not deny that Gen Guild was high
ly honorable and conscientious man. (Sdecr-
ing laughter on the Republican side)
MIR Butler remarked that before the war he
had thought Gen Guild highly conscientious
and honorable man; but when man committed
| treason he was like woman fallen from virtue,
ready for any crime, and from that hour no one
knew where to find them
MIR Eldridge reminded Butler that in making
that ST. ho had foroottop rho oo,inont
men who had gone into rebellion: Hancock
and Adams and Washington (hisses) every one
of them had been called "rebel," and every
one Of them had been a "rebel," CONTINUED
hisses) until the rebellion became success.
| The following bill was introduced aud passed
under suspension of the rules, by strict par
ty vote: 'The doctrine avowed by the Presi-
dent, that the abnegation of the rebel States
binds the Nation to pay their debts, incurred
prior to the rebellion, is at war with the prio-
cipIes of international law, stab at the Ma
| tional credit, abhorrent to every sentiment Of
loyalty, and pleasing only to traitors, their allies
and sympathizers, by whose agency, alone, the
Government of the said States were over
| thrown"
A resolution requesting the President to issue
a proclamation directing all proper officers to
prevent the invasion of Mexico, was referred to
| the committee on Foreign Affairs.
July 18.-In the Senate, the Committee on
Foreign Relations was directed to enquire how
many Mexican soldiers were executed under
Maximilians decree. Mr. Wilson introduced
resolution lauding the Mexicans Referred
The consideration of Indian affairs was re-
sumed. bill finally passed providing for a
commission to obtain peace, if possible; other
wise four Thousand border soldiers are to push
the war;
| In the House. Mr. Schofed offered resolu-
ton directing the Secretary of the Treasury to
withhold the payment Of three million dollars
for cotton claims awarded by the Court of claims
He said the claims could be examined by the
proper committee next session anc paid by ap-
preparation if found correct. Passed.
Mr. Robinson asked leave to introduce pre-
| amble and resolution to remove the tax on raw
cotton Messrs. ADDISON and Benjamin objected
resolution sympathzing with Gambia passed
Mr. Logan offered preamble and resolutions
which passed, reciting and yielding to the gen.
eral rumor, that armed expeditions are being
organized in this country against the Republic
of Mexico, which is at variance with the wishes
and feelings of all good citizens of the United
States, and contrary to the established public
policy; and respectfully requesting the Presi-
dent to issue proclamation requiring all proper
officers OF the United States to prevent such un-
lawful organizations being formed. and warning
all persons who depart from The United States
on such expeditions that they viii; forfeit all
rights to protection under the laws of the United
States.
GEoRGIA.-Ex Gov. Johnson, has written let
ter in which he advises the peopIe of Georgia not