Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-07-12
LATE FROM wASHENGrON.

WAsHINGTON, July 9.-COngress was
to-day wholly devoted to reconstruction.
The senate was occupied in a duh and
tedious debate on its reconstruction bill,
lasting i've hours, and apparently not
fairly stated when the adjournment took
place.
MIR. TrumbuH led off in a short speech
reviewing the circumstances duder
which the military bills Of last session
were passed and explaining the pro-
visions Of the measures now under con-
| sideration. lie was followed by Mr..
! Wilson, who offered an amendment va
eating All Offices in the south, ami author
| izing the commanding generals 20 NIL
7 them by the reappOintment Of the pres
ent incumbents or the appointment Of
I new ones. This was voted down after
couple of hours discussion by ii to y.
The debate then took q wide range,
and a disposition was shown 70 open up
the whole subject Of reconstruction, and
respeak the pieces Of the last three ses-
sious.
MIR. Buckalow announced that before
dual action was taken he should speak
on the general principles OF the military
bin. and Others Will undoubtedly do the
same, so it is difficult to say when the
bill will reach the president. At the
time of adjournment the pending ques-
tiou was uuon a second amendment Of
( Mr.. Wilson, 10 authorize the command
I ing generals to appoint civilians to the
offices which they shall deem it necessary
To vscate As the bill now stands it pro-
vides that such vacancies sEall be filed
by military officers.
In the house debate opened upon the
pending reconstruction bill the moment
a .lu8
and Woods, of New York, leading off
against the bill. Mr. Bingham, Of Ohio,
then followed in brief but earnest and
impassioned speech in reply to Mr..
Brooks, during which be warmly sup
ported the bill Considerable interest
was manifested in his remarks. as most
of the members left their seats and
gathered around him in groups while he
spoke,
Tbad. Stevens then closed the debate
in q fifteen minutes speech, in which be
briefly reiterated his views in favor of
confiscatiOn. In the close of his remarks
be said in a sarcastic way that he did
not know that he was 10 favor Of hang
ing any one in this country, but he was
clad to see that Juarez had the heroic
courage to hang pirates and murdeTers.
The bill was then passed by vote OF
llg 10 81. The only republican vote in
the negative was that Of Stuart, Of New
York. The bill passed as reported on
Yesterday, with exception Of amend
ments offered by Mr.. Wilson. of Iowa,
and Mr.. BENJAMIN, Of Missouri, which
were adopted, and which proved that no
presidential pardon shall give a person
the right 10 register, and making it
misdemenOr punishable with fine and
imprisonment for any one to Obs.ruct the
reconstruction law.
It is freely declared by the senators to-
night that they prefer their own bill 70
that lust passed by the house. 1t is evi-
dent that the differences will yet have to
I've adjusted bv conference committee.
Speaker Colfax has received the petit
lion of 10 eolOred men, lately United
States soldiers residing in Kentucky,
stating that the state laws deny them
the right to testify in court; that they
cannot, therefore, obtain redress for
murder and outrage; that colored men
have been murdered in cold blood, and,
not having the right to testify, the
criminals 20 unpunished and asking
congress 10 grant them the right OF
suffrage. The petition will come before
the house.
1t is now probable that the proposition
to hold another extra session IN October
will be conditionally passed-that is, to
( hold the session If a quorum tend at noon
Of the day TO be fixed for the proposed
meeting Of the two houses.
The number Of patents to be issued
during the current week viii be 279.
The president is said to have expressed
q determination not to hold back any
supplemental reconstruction bill con-
gress may pass an hour longer than is
absolutely necessary TO enable him to
act intelligently upon it. It is therefore
possible, 10 terminate the session by the
end OF the week.
The cabinet had meeting to-day, at
which ID was decided to send nomina-
tions to the senate, notwithstanding that
this was recognized as a continuation OF
the first session of the fortieth congress-
The judiciary committee to-day passed
a resolution proposed by its chairman,
which will be reported to the house in 3
day or two stating that it will be impos-
/ sible for them to make report on the
impeachment question before the 18th
Of October.
Gen. SickIes has mailed the president
/ q CODY Of a letter which he has written on
[ reconstructiOn, in which he fsvOrs uni
/ versal suffrage and universal amnesty.
The Indian bureau is preparing a re-
port on the Indian troubles, and It is
/ believed that il viii show that there is
no necessity for calling on volunteer
troops to aid IN suPpressing the distur-
J bances.