Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-07-16

MIDNIGHT DISPATCHES.
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDrNGs.


senate.
WAsHINGToN, July 15.-Mr. Sherman
took the chair and presented an invitation
to the Senate 10 attend the dedication cere-
monies Of Anteitam Cemetery on the 18th.
After Executive session, the Senate took
up House joint resolution, apprOpriating
$l,675,000 to carry out the reconstruction
acts, which was amended, on motion OF
Mr.. Buckalew, by reducing the amount to
100000, and passed.
House bill for the relief of certain sol
diers and sailors charged with desertion
was debated and referred to the Military
Committee.
The Chair laid before the Senate CON-
munication from the President, transmit
ting all orders, opinions, ETC., sent to dis
trjct commanders, with view to carry out
the work of reconstruction.
Mr.. Howard, referring to that portion
of the message in which the President al
Indies TO the assumption by the United
States of debts of Rebel States, incurred
before the war, said it was all moonshine,
designed for party purposes.
Mr.. Hendricks said the President had
expressed no opinion on that subject. He
merely made the suggestion, whether, il
the Southern States were treated as con-
quered provinces, the United States would
not have to pay the debts Of these States.
This doctrine was laid down by Gov. Nor
ton, Of Indiana, two years ago, in speech
indosing the Presidents policy.
Mr.. Sumner said that, as question of
law, there was nothing surer than that the
Rebel States were responsible for all Just
debts. The States still exist and their just
obligations are inherent in them, and can
not be evaded.
Mr.. johnson thought it was not admis-
sable for the President to express politi-
cal opinion on the subject of the public
finances at the present time, when the debt
was so large and the people so sensitive on
the subject of its increase. He did not be-
lieve the President was correct in his as
sumption that the Southern States still ex-
listed as States and not as conquered pro-
Vinces.
MIR. Hendricks did not think the gov
eminent could rightfully be bound to pay
the debts of the Southern States contracted
before the war. The object of the war
avowed by Congress, was not the conquest
of these States, but suppression of rebel
lion. In the event, however, of the alb
sorption by the Federal government it
would be practical question whether these
State obligations would rest on the general
government.
Mr.. Howard again took the floor in op-
position to the views of the President,
which, he said, were calculated to alarm
capitalists all over the country, when the
said message was in perfect keeping with
the acts of the President during the last
two years. The President had during that
time lost no occasion to allude to banded
aristocraey, and TO say all that he could in
disparagement of Congress and eyeryS
thing connected with its policy of recon-
struction. The policy Of Congress would
increase the value of the national debt and
the debt of the Rebel States.
Mr.. Fessenden was glad that the mes
sage met with no response or endorsement
in the Senate. He regretted that the
President had sent in such a document. It
might have had effect, were it not that all
intelligent people would see through its
fallacy.
Mr.. Buckalew denied that the President
favored the assumption of the Rebel debt
he was simply suggesting that on the theory
and doctrines that have prevailed lately in
Congress such a state of facts must be
brought about.
Mr.. Thayer condemned the position of
the President as asserted in his message, as
another attempt to throw an obstacle in
the way of Reconstruction. He thought the
Senate should treat it with the utmost in
difference. The message was ordered print
ed. Adjourned.