Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-01-15

A resolution instructing the Committee on the
Judiciary to inquire into the expediency of a
repeal of all laws allowing compensation to loyal
owners of colored volunteers was adopted by 100
yeas to nays. Mr.. Loan, of Missouri, intro
duced resolution declaring it to be the duty of
the present Congress ito impeach the officer
now exercising the functions pertaining to the
office OF President and to remove him on con-
viction of the high crimes and misdemeanors of
which he is VIGOROUSLY guilty which was re-
ferred to the Reconstruction Committee Mr.
Kelso offered similar resolution, but pending
action upon it the morning hour expired A
message from the President was presented con-
tanning report of the arrest Of John II. Sur
raft. 1t was laid on the table. Mr. Ashley
then offered resolution preferring certain
charges against the President and authorizing
the Judiciary Committee to investigate his con-
duct with view to impeachment, which, after
a great deal Of skirmishing, was adopted by a
vote of l07 yeas to SO nays. The Senate bill
suspending the payment of moneys from the
Treasury as compensation to persons claiming
the services or labor of colored volunteers or
drafted men was passed by vote of106 yeas to
81 nays Mr.. Stevens Reconstruction bill was
postponed until Tuesday, the 18th inst, and
after after other business the House adjourned M
SENATE, Tuesday, JAM S.-Resolutions ap-
propriating $4,000 for the expenses of the Re
trenchment Committee, and asking the Presi-
dent if any violation of the Civil Rights bill had
come to his knowledge, and what steps had been
taken to punish the offenders, were passed.
The bill passed by the Senate in January, 1866,
and amended by both Houses afterwards, in re-
latlon to the appointment of pension agents,
was called up, and in explaining the objects of
the bill Mr.. Lane said one of them was for the
purpose OF turning out some Of the President S
appointees. The morning hour expired pend
ing its consideration and it went over until to-
morrow. A bill for the payment of awards to
the captors of jeff. Davis, the same as the one
introduced last session, was referred to the Fl
nance Committee. The bill to admit Nebraska
was then taken up. During the debate upon it
MIR. Cresswell, Of Maryland, in his remarks, an
nounced himself as new convert to the negro
suffrage clause. The Senate adjourned without
taking action upon the bill or amendments, but
with an understanding that vote should be
taken tomorrow.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr.. Niblack moved an adjournment in honor
of the day, but Mr.. Ashley said that was play
ed out, and the motion was rejected MIR.
Lynch offered resolution looking to allowing a
drawback on all duties and taxes upon articles
used for the construction of steam and sailing
vessels. The District Suffrage bill was received
from the Senate, and the Presidents veto mes
sage was read. The bill was passed over the
PRESIDENT objections by yeas 49, nays 49,
The Speaker then declared that the bill had be-
come law Mr. Kasson' resolution, defining
the intents and purposes of the anti-slavery con-
stitutional amendment was modified so as to
make a bill applying to the sale of negroes into
slavery, and was passed by yeas l16, nays "a
Nine democratic members voted in favor of it's
passage. The report of the Committee on Sc
Letting site for the New York Post Office was
presented. 1t recommends an appropriation Of
81, SOC, 900 for the erection of building Mr.
Broomall addressed the House on the recon-
structlon question, in which he said that if
members were willing to sit as representatives
with gamblers and blacklegs they ought to have
no objection to sitting with negro members
The House soon after adjourned.
SENATE, Wednesday, JAM petitions were
received from various portions of Virginia ask
ing for impartial suffrage; also petition signed
by the Rev. George Washington and two hun
dred and sixty other Boston negroes, asking the
in the Constitution.
The Nebraska bill was taken up and passed
with an amendment, imposing the condition
that no distinction be made on account of color
ayes "a, nays Is.
Colorado was admitted with same proviso-
ayes 33, noes II.
A bill forbidding distinction on account Of
color in the territories, was taken up, discussed,
and the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The bill to recommit Indian affairs to the
War Department was referred to the Commit
tee on Indian Affairs.
The Secretary of the Interior was required to
inform how 5000 negroes, living with the Choc-
taw and Cherokee Nations, can have their rights
as citizens defined
The Committee on Naval Affairs were in
structed to consider the expediency to allow sal
lors the same bounty as soldiers.
The Committee of Ways and Means were in
structed to enquire into the expediency of "a
mending the revenue laws so as to exempt all
incomes under $2l 900, and tax Of only per
cent. on incomes exceeding that amount.
a portion of the City Hall park for postoffice,
was passed.
The proceedings up to adjournment were of
strictly local character, except petition pray
ing for an annuity Of ST 900 to Samuel Down
ing, only surviving revolutionary soldier.
SENATE, Thursday, Jan. 1O-After sundry
bills and petitions had been presented, the bill
for fixing the regular time for the meeting of
Congress was taken up. The amendment that
no member of the present Congress should be
entitled to mileage passed, and the bill then
passed by vote of 26 to 5. This bill assemblies
the 40th Congress at noon on the 18th of March.
The bill securing the rights Of franchise, &C.,
to persons OF all colors, in territories organized,
or hereafter to be organized was passed, "a to
g.
The bill regulating the term of Office, includ-
ing in its provisions prohibition of executive
removal without the consent of the Senate, was
taken up. An amendment to include Cabinet
officers was presented, which was lost, and pend
ing other amendments, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The bill for the meeting of the next Congress,
with the Senate's amendments, was passed.
The bill amending the territorial act so as to
allow the franchise and other rights to all citi-
zens, regardless of race or color, was passed.
The Nebraska bill was under discussion, as
amended by the Senate, until adjournment
SENATE, Friday, Jan. 1l.--Mr. Sumner pre-.
scented the petition of the Fort Smith (Arkan-
sas) delegation, which was referred to the Com
mittee on Reconstruction.
The Territorial Committee reported a bill Or
ganizing the Territory of Idaho
Bill to amend the act for enrolling and calling
out the National forces, was referred to the
Committee on Militia.
The Naval Committee was instructed to in
quire into the expedency of closing the Gosport
navy yard.
The bill to provide temporary government
for the Territory of Montana, was referred to
Committee on Territories
The Pension Bill was then taken up and dis
cussed until the expiration of the morning hour.