The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-01-15
Congressional.

Ramsey presented petition, asking mn appropri-
alton gsl fo5 tho Improvement of tie mississippi
:. Mr. Howe presented q petition for reconstruc-
ton on the bus basis Of equal rights. Referred.
seveFai Rsts5ens n were presented urging the pas
In the House, the first business in order being
the call Of the States for Bills and joint resolutions,
forfeiture o prVeees Of fae @
acts OF rebellion against the United States, and
pr~vthng for the restoration Of those privileges
mittec. Also Bill to establish civil governments
IN the States lately in rebellion. Referred to the
Committee on Reconstruction. IS
The Committed on Territories have instructed
Ashley to report his amendment TO the Bill to re-
establish civil government in North Carolina, as
Bill was introduced, and referred to the iaa csna
noittee on Ways and Means, to repeal so much of
the Internal Revenue Act as imposed tax on
Loan, of Missouri, delivered speech on Kelsos
resolution to impeach the President in which he
nade the charge Of usurpation &C., indulged in
Cook, of Illinois, reported from the Judiciary
Committee Blu amending that portion Of the
law approved February "a, 1854, which authorized
each Of the loyal States, to award compensation to
tho owners Of colored volunteers, SO to suspend
the power OF compensation of said commissioners.
The Bill was passed.
A resolution WIS adopted, declaring it to be the
duty OF the Goyernment, in giving effect to the
manifest wish Of nation by declaring against the
further importation Of coolies in this hemisphere
and adjacent islands. S-
The Nebraska Bill was taken up and discussed at
length, and the debate on it win be Continued to-
morrow. IA .s
The Senate was engaged during the day in the
discussion of the Bill to regulate The tenure of
othee; after which it adjourned without vote.
The Missouri Test Oath.
WASHINGTON January 14.-Assooiate Justice
Field to-day delivered the opinion of the United
States Supreme Court in the Missouri Test Oath
case of John A. Cumrnins, a Roman catholic
Priest, who was indicted for preaching and teach
ing without taking the oath prescribed by the Con-
stltution of that State. Being plaintiff in error
the court decided tho Test Oath in this to be
nnconstitutio being IN the nature Of punish
tacto, and as bill Of attninder, the Judgment OF
tho court below is reversed, with the directions
that the plaintiff shall depart without DELAY As
sociate Justice Field also delivered an opinion Of
the court IN the e1 pdrte cases of Garland and
Mari, who, having taken a part in the late re-
bellon, asked to be admitted to practice. The
court held that, as the State imposes punish
ment which may not have been impossible at the
time the oTence was committed it is, in it's ua-
ture, an e1 post tacto law Attorneys are not off,
GERS OF the United States they are officers Of the
court, a:d hold their offices during good behavior.
Tne court is not the register Of the edcts of any
other power. The applicants have received q
pardon from the President, which relieves them
from the consequences of their offence, and makes
the citizen, IN the eye Of the law, what he Was be-
limit the prerogative OF mercy, and cannot fetter
it by Legislative restriction. It follows that the
prayers # tae petitioners must be granted and
also the prayer Of Mr.. Mari. The rule which re-
qures attorneys to take the Test Oath must be re-
sociate Justice Miller, for himself, Chief Justice
Chase, and Associates Swavne and Davis read q
dissenting opinion. Il71E7