The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-12-24
Congress-.

BANK STOCK De exempted from local taxation. a
bill was introduced, continuing the officers OF
tie Freedmen's Bureau.
The repeal Of the cotton tax was resumed Mr.
Morril advocated the contestng of Commissioner
Wells positions, and offered an amendment ex-
empting from duty imported cotton after April;
1868. He r;diculed the idea Of foreign compe-
tition, and proceeded to show from statistics that
the smallest crops brought the highest prices.
-Mr Sherman argued for repeal maintaining
that the war proved that the United States had
no monopoly in cotton. He read letters from
army officers and other Northern men, showing
that cotton cultivation had resulted I'm absolute
loss. The continuance of the tax must destroy
cotton culture. Mr. Fessenden opposed imme-
date action. Mr. Johnson's amendment apply
ing the exemption to this years crop, was amend
ed by making the exemption applicable only to
the stock in the hands of producers, and that no
claims for taxes already paid shall be entertained
by the Courts. Mr. johnson accepted the first
amendment but rejected the second, ON the
ground that should the tax ultimately be proved
unconstitutional claimants should not be barred.
Mr. Conkling gave notice Of an amendment that
the repeal should apply only to the crops of 1868,
and there the matter was postponed.
In the House, Mr. Logan introduced joint
resolution, appointing committee to locate the
Capitol of the United States. This looks to re-
moving the Capitol to a more central point.
Mr. Bingham, of Missouri, offered resolutions,
with a lengthy preamble, which resolves
LIST. That the House of Representatives will
never consent to take one retrograding step from
its advanced position in protecting all and pro-
noting the cause of equal rights.
End. That the success Of the Reconstruction
Acts, so far, gives reason to doubt that, I'M
der their provisions the restoration of the rebel
h. -r,ll. IL ,,,l
compished, and they will be established on a
loyal basis, and that. in the judgment of the
House, there is no necessity for the repeal Of
those laws
The resolutions passed, under the operation of
the previous question, by strict party vote, yeas
Ill, nays 32.
Mr. Butler moved to suspend the rules to offer
u resolution, that the Indebtedness be paid as ex
pressed in the bonds. That is to say, those call
ing for gold to be paid in gold, those containing
no stipulation to be paid in lawful money. Re
fused, So to SO.
Mr. Getz offered resolution reciting that the
cities Of Boston and Pittsburg had recently
elected Democratic Mayors, thus Indicating
spirit of dsloyalty which should be promptly
suppressed, and directing the Committee on Re
construction to inquire whether Massachusetts
and Pennsylvania have republican forms of gov
erament, and do not need reconstruction.
DEC. 17.-In the Senate the repeal of the
cotton tax resumed. Mr. Conkling. Of New
York proceeded to say, that helping hand had
been extended to these destitute communities
The direct tax had been suspended in all the in
surrectlonary States. The tax had been removed
from sugar, machinery and other articles which
pertalned to that country. lie would say now
that it would have been much better for these
people, if one of the parties of this country and
the visible head of the Governments had let them
alone. If they had stopped staggering about,
and talking about representation in Congress.
and gone to work to build up the impoverished
section, they would to-day have been much hap
pier, and so would we. If this tax was taken
off, 1t would vi pc out twenty millions of revenue
and they knew not where to 90 to replace it.
Mr. G. indicated disposition to vote for reduc-
ton OF the tax, but maintained that the proper
course was to postpone the bill until February
or March, when the whole subject of Revenue
would be up, and gave notice Of his intention to
make motion to that effect
Mr. Morton said that cotton should not be en-
tirely exempt from the burdens of the Govern
ment.
The discussion assumed a political turn, and
the subject was postponed.
In the House, Mr. Stevens introduced bill
regarding reconstruction. Objection being made,
the bill was postponed. This bill alters the pro-
visions requiring majority of the registered
votes for the new Constitutions to a majority of
the votes cast The second section provides for
the election of representatives to Congress at the
time OF the election the Constitutions who
are to take their seats at the session succeeding
the one at which their States are admitted Sec |
tlon Bird provides that, until a new apportion-
ment, the States shall be represented as follows:
South Carolina six, two of whom shall be elected
by the State at large North Carolina eight
one by the State at large. Georgia eight-one
by the State at large Florida one Alabama
elght-two by the State at large. Mississippi
slx-one by the State at large. Louisiana six
one by the State at large. Texas ive-one by
the State at large. Arkansas three No num- |
Der OF representatives is given for Virginia
Dec. 1S-In the Senate, memorial from
the Norfolk Board of Trade praying the repeal
OF the cotton tax, was tabled 4 memorial from |
citizens of Arkansas, affirming an outbreak I'M
minent, on account of destitution in several |
counties, was presented The cotton tax was |
discussed, after which the Presidents message
compllment.ng Gen. Hancock for the manner in |
which he is discharging his duty as commander
OF Louisiana and Texas was read, when amid |
much confusion as to its disposition, the Senate
adjourned
In the House, the consideration of the Recon- !
struction Committees bill was resumed. Mr. |
Maynard gave notice of an additional section, |
authorizing the Conventions to establish Provis- |
ional Governments. Mr. Stevens withdrew the |
section increasing the representation from the !
Southern States, and the bill passed by 134 to
riot or+,-