Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-16
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
nate.

WASHINGTON, Jan l6.-A number Of
petitions were presented, including one from
the citizens of BellefOutain. Ohio, asking
Congress to prohibit any person ad-
dICted 10 intoxicating liquor from hold
ing office under the United States govern
ment
Mr.. Fessenden from the Committee ON
Finance, reported bill authorizing the
Secretary of Treasury. to delegate to one
OF his assistants the authority TO sign all
warrants for the payment Of money into
the public treasury, and for the disburse-
ment Of the same, when certified bv the
proper accounting officer.
The credentials of Senator Campbell, Of
South Carolina, were presented and Ia
bled
Mr. Howard called up his resolution Of
inquiry into Mexican affairs, offered on
the Sth inst. He alluded in his remarks
to the uniustitiable usurpation on the part
of Napoleon, the pretext of which was s
debt of Mexico to French subjects. No
body could credit that this was the only
cause It's object looked far beyond, and an
entire subyersion of the Mexican govern
ment, and the establishment Of an Imperial
power Of France, under a sort Of protecto-
rate.
Our government has not made anv very
strenuous efforts to procure the withdrawalO Of
French troops, and the war has been prose
cuted by the French with bitterness and
has greatly involved our relations with the
legitimate powers Of that republic Our
interests and those of mankind require its
termination as speedily as practicable, and
he desired information on the subject
Mr.. Sumner gave notice Of an amend
ment, that the committee be instructed to
report If, in their opinion, such report
be expedient
Mr.. McDougall said he would object to
such amendment.
The morning hour having expired, the
bill to regulate the tenure of office was
taken up.
Mr.. Johnson and Bucl,alew spoke
against the bill
Mr.. Howe requested Mr.. Edmunds to
withdraw his pending amendment.
Mr.. Hendricks renewed his amendment
offered yesterday. Rejected.
Mr.. Sumner offered an amendment as an
additional section, that all officers or agents
appointed by the President or by the head
otany department, whose salary or cOmpen-
satlon derived from fees or otherwise
exceed one thousand dollars annually,
shall be appointed by the President with
the advice and consent Of the Senate, and
the term of all such officers appointed since
the LIST otJuly, 1866, shall expire on the last
of February, 1861
Mr. Sumner hoped that it wonld be
adopted The President had proclaimed
his intention 10 knock men ont of office,
and it was the duty of Congress 20 pro-
tect men thus threatened.
Mr.. Cragin and Fessenden opposed the
amendment.
Mr.. salisbury offered resolution, call
ing upon heads of departments for list of
removals from Office, from March 1861, to
the 4th of March, 1860, with causes of
removal, etc Objected to and goes over
pending the consideration Of bill and
amendments Adjourned
House.
On motion Of Mr.. SpauIding, the Com
mittee ON Commerce was requested to con-
slider the proposed improvement of the st.
Clair flats, in Michigan, by a new channel
or canal, and report a bill making spe-
ciic appropriation to defray expense Of
same.
On motion of Mr. Trowbridge, the Sec.
rotary of War was directed to communicate
the report of Brigadier General Crane of
the survey and estimates for the improve
ment of navigation Of the great lakes and
connecting rivers.
On motion Of Mr. Cobb, the Committee
on Claims was instructed to report the facts
connected with the capture of jeff Davis,
s. 4
Wisconsin cavalry regiments Herewith
On motion of Mr. Deming, the Commit
tee on Ways and Means was requested to
inquire into the expediency Of reporting
an ad valOrem tax on domestic cigars, and
reducing the specific tax to s. per thou
sand
On motion Of Mr. Ross the Committee
on Indian Affairs was instructed to inquire
diligently and promptly into the slave
trade existing in New Mexico and Colo
RADIO and report an act to secure all per-
sons within the nation liberty and equality
before the law, without distinction of race
OF color.
Mr. Donnelly introduced a bill to pro-
vide for the construction Of a wagon road
for military and postal purposes from Fort
AbercrOmbie, in DaCOtah, to Fort Benton,
IN Montana territory, and giving four sec
tiOns Of public land therefor. Referred.
On motion of Mr. Cook, the joint Com
mittee on Re:renChment, wac directed 10
inquire why, in the present stringent con-
ditiOn Of the New York money market,
the current balance in the New York Sub
Treasury isCOnstantly increasing Whether
any Of such increase arises from the sale of
gold Whether any gold belonging to the
government has been loaned to any person
or institution within thirty days If so,
to whom, and for what purpose On what
security and to what amount2
Mr. Ward, Of New York, asked leave to
offer preamble, stating that it is alleged
that large numbers Of disloyalists voted al
the recent Maryland election, and that an
armed force Of theUnited States were ordered
by the Federal authority to, and did CO.
operate with the Executive Of the State, |
and others who we're engaged with him in
overriding the constitution and laws, and |
securing the vote Of the Rebels and dis |
qualified persons, and deterring loyal voters |
from the free exercise Of elective franchise, /
etc, concluding with a resolution that the |
Committee on Elections inquire and report /
whether the constitution has been violated |
as aforesaid, and whether the President, or /
any one under his command has in any /
manner inierfered with said election, or in
any way used or threatened TO use the /.
military power Of the nation with refer
cnCe to said election, il so, whether 10 was
upon the Tequisition of the Governor Of
Maryland. Objection made and resolution
not received.
On motion Of Mr. Washburne, Of llli-
lois the Select Committee ON the murder
Of United States soldiersin South Carolina
was instructed to inquire into the murder
Ji Capt. Montgomery, in Texas, 10y Con
tolerate soldiers, under Geo. W. Chiffon,
now seeking admission as q member of this
House
Mr.. kooutz, from the District OF Column
,ia Committee. reported against the memo
.iaI of the citizens Of foreign birth, asking
he came rights "a negroes. Tabled.
The Nebraska bin was taken up, and on
notion Of Mr.. Boutwell, the vote seC0udiug !
he previous question was reC0nsidcrcl
Mr. Boutwell, moved 90 amend the Cd
ection, known as Edmunds amendment, a.
0Ilow-
And upon the fundamental consideration
hat the legislature Of said State, by solemn
attn, snail declare tuc assent OF Sall state ]
% said fundamental condition and shall |
transmit 90 the President an authentic copy |
# said act, upon receipt whereof the Presi-
lent, by proclamation, shall lourthwith /
nnounce the fact, whereupon said fUuda-
mental conditions shall be held as part Of
he organic law Of the State and tnereup- .
~ and without further proceeding on the
ar. of Congress, the admission Of said
tate into the Union shall be considered as
5mple.cd. The said State legislature shall
70 convened by the territorial government
.ithiu thirty days after the passage Of this
Ct. 20 act upon the constitution herein
1bmifieI