Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-01-22
The House then adjourned
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

LIE house tnen ADJOURNED.
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
SENATE, Saturday. Jan. l2.-The Senate
was not In session to-day.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MIR. Paine introduced resolution declaring
the American Government right to protect A
merlcan industry, but that if the people were
compelled to submit to free trade in the pro-
ducts OF agriculture, they ought to have tree
trade in the products of manufacture. Refer
red.
The House then proceeded to the considera-
ton of private bills
Mr.. Upsin introduced bill authorizing the
payment of the reward offered in 1865 for the
capture of Jefferson Davis Referred.
Mr.. Clark, of Kansas, introduced bill to
secure the speedy completion of the Southern
Pacific railroad. Committed.
A motion to reduce the appropriation to the
Agricultural Department from $50, 900 to S45,-
900. failed. Without completing the bill, the
House adjourned
SENATE, Monday, Jan. 14--Mr. Ramsay
presented petition asking an corporation tor
the improvement in the Mississippi river. Re
ferred
Mr.. Howe presented petition for reconstruc-
ton on the basis of equal rights. Referred.
passage of the Tariff BILL
The Senate was engaged in the discussion of
the bill to regulate the tenure of Office
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The following bill and resolutions were pre-
sented: A bill declaring the forfeiture of citi-
Zenship for rebellion against the United States,
and providing for its restoration in certain cases.
A bill to establish civil government in the
States lately in rebellion.
Mr. Loan, of Missouri, made radical speech
in favor of impeaching the President
Mr. Cook, of Illinois, from the Judiciary
Committee. reported a bill repeating the law tor
paying loyal owners for their slaves who went
into the United States army. The bill was
passed.
A resolution was passed declaring it to be the
duty of the government to prohibit the importa-
ton of Coolies to the United States OF adjacent
islands
The Nebraska bill was discussed at length.
1t will be voted on tomorrow.
A bill to repeal the tax on manufactured cot
ton was referred.
SENATE, Tuesday, JAM 15-Mr Wiley pre-
scented memorial, asking for Constitutional
Amendment abolishing inequality in political
rights on account of race or color. Referred.
The Chair laid before the Senate communi-
cation from the Governor of South Carolina,
Campbell Laid on the table.
Mr. Howard called up the resolution hereto
fore introduced by him, instructing the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations to enquire into the
present relations between France, Mexico and
the United States, as to the possibility of the
withdrawal Of the French troops. and the ability
of Macmillan to maintain himself, NC. Mr..
Howard said the interest and dignity of this ma
ton required that the Government should take
such measures as will secure the immediate re-
storation of peace and the restoration Of Repub-
lican Government to Mexico. The resolution
was laid on the table for the discussion of the
tenure of Office bill, which was debated till adj
journment.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The Committee on Claims was instructed to
enquire what connection the Fourth Michigan
and Second Wisconsin Cavalry had with the
capture of Jefferson Davis.
The House then proceeded to the consid-
Grafton of the Nebraska bill
The clause in the bill striking out the word
white from the Nebraska Constitution, which
| was inserted by the Senate, was discussed.
Mr.. Boutwell, moved to amend by providing
that the Nebraska Legislature should first give
suffrage to persons Of all race and color.
Mr.. Davis, of New York. wished to know
whether Congress had right to impose and en-
force conditions on the people Of new State.
Mr.. Farnsworth said Congress clearly had the
right 1t was simply granting a territory char
ter to become State, and there was as much
authority to impose a condition, as to impose a
condition on a territory while it is a territory.
MIR. Wise, Of Kentucky, and others, opposed
the bill. when it was passed with Boutwell, S
amendment-l03 to 55.
The bill for the admission Of Colorado with
similar conditions was passed-90 to SIS.
SENATE, Wednesday, JAM l6.-The Nebras-
ka bill was taken up, as amended.
Mr.. Wade favored and Mr.. Edmunds oppos-
ed the amendment.
Various petitions for increase Of pay were pre-
sented
Mr.. Sumner presented petition for an amend
ment to the Constitution prohibiting distinction
on account of color. Referred Also, eleven
petitions from North Carolina negroes in favor
Of Stevens bill.
The bills for the admission of Colorado and
Nebraska, with the House amendment, passed,
20 to IA, and now goes to the President.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
The Secretary of the Interior was directed to
report whether legislation is necessary to secure
the records of the United States Circuit and
District Courts in North Carolina.
Mr.. Stevens enabling act was taken up. Mr..
Bingham. of Ohio. opposed it.
The Judiciary Committee was instructed to
report in writing what legislation is necessary to
enable three fourths Of the represented States
to ratify the constitutional amendment.
Stevens enabling bill was discussed. Mr..
Payne opposed the second section of the bill,
which recognized the present State governments,
which he denounced as practical
Mr.. Bingham spoke one hour and quarter.
He said the bill, instead of being one Of recon
structon was one of destruction. 1t was for
disunion instead of restoration. He showed
the absurdity Of denying the rebel States by
showing that Congress, the Courts, and the Ex-
ecutive had recognized them. He knew that
those rebels had ridged the land with graves
He knew that 4OO,O0 citizens had fallen mar
tyrs to the country and Constitution. TWAS in
view Of their great transgresslons that the pro-
posed universal forgiveness rose into the sub
lime and challenged parallel in history. He
protested against the bill as foreign to the spirit
and purposes of the constitutional amendment.
He closed by moving to refer the bill to the
| Committee on Reconstruction.
Mr. Dawson spoke in opposition to the bill
for an hour, until the Speakers hammer fell
Mr.. Spalding moved the extension of Mr..
Dawson's hour.
Mr.. Stevens objected and, on his motion,
the House went into the Committee of the
Whole, when Mr. Dawson again obtained the
floor and concluded.
The Appropriation bill was amended by add
ing $4,000 for steamboat inspectors and a more
thorough investigation into recent steamboat
disasters.
SENATE, Thursday, Jan. l7.--Mr. Sumner
presented petition from Texas "loyalists, .
asking for n renubcan form of government