Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-12-12
CONGRESS-.

declaring that five members OF the United
States Supreme Court shall constitute quo
rum. A concurrent resolution was otteredand
laid over, to the effect that the President had
transcribed his constitutional powers in Ian
guace used in his annual message in reference
to reconstruction. A long debate ensued on a
proposition to print three thousand copies OF
the message, but no vote was taken.
The main feature Of the proceedings Of the
House was the passage Of the bill to repeal the
tax on cotton after the present year. The re-
port on impeachment, which was the order OF
the day, was not called up.
On Thursday, in the Senate bill was in
troduced to authorize the CONVERSION OF regis
tered bonds into coupon bonds. Mr.. Summers
bill, striking out the word "whlte from all
laws relating to the District Of Columbia, was
after considerable debate, passed by a vote OF
80 to g. The bill of Mr.. Edmunds, pledging
| the faith OF the government TO the payment OF
/ It's bonded debt in coin, was further discussed,
/ but no vote taken.
/ In the House, bills were introduced to fund
/ the interest bearing debt Of the United States,
/ to provide for taxing the same and 20 create
sinking fund for payment Of the public debt
to provide for the more efficient government
of the rebel States, and to postpone further
reduction of the currency by sUSpending the
authority of the Secretary Of the Treasury to
retire or cancel United States notes. These
bills were referred to appropriate committees.
Several other bills were introduced and refer
red after which Mr.. Golladay, as a member
elect from Kentucky, was admitted to his seat.
The House then proceeded to the consideration
of the reports upon the subject ofimpeachment.
Mr. Boutwell,, Of Massachusetts, took the floor
in favor Of the majority report, advocating the
Impeachment of the President Mr.. b., was
allowed two hours TO speak, but before conclu-
ding gave way to a motion TO adjourn. Dur
ing his argument he admitted the President
could not he removed from his Office previous
to his trial and conviction.
On Friday, in the Senate, a resolution was
offered and referred instructing the finance
committee to inquire into the cypedieucy Of
reporting bill authorizing the Secretary Of
the Treasury to contract loan and issue bonds
therefor payable in forty years, and rcdeema-
bic at the pleasure of the government IN TWEEN
ty years, bearing five per cent. interest, &c.-
The bill pledging the faith Of the United States
to the payment Of the public debt IN com was
then called up, when a substitute was offered,
whcreupon the whole subject was referred to
the finance committee. The Senate adjourned
over until Monday.
There was lively time in the House. Mr..
Boutwell, republican, resumed and concluded
his speech in favor of the impeachment Of the
President. Mr. Wilson, republican, Of Iowa,
aud chairman of the committee on the Judicial
8 ~. followed in support Of the resolution Of the
r..f
parchment, concluding his remarks by moving
that the resolution for impeachment be laid on
the table whereupou several members tavoring
! impeachment resurted to the tillbuStering pro-
cess, In order to prevent vote on Mr. Wilson S
proposition. Various motions followed, and a
scene of much excitement eusued, the object OF
the impeachers being apparently to gain
time to make bncomb speeches for home cons
sumption, The House finally, without com
ing to a vote, adjourned.
On Saturday the Senate was not in session
In the House on Saturday the struggle was
renewed on the pending motion of Mr. Wilson,
of Iowa. chairman Of the judiciary committed
and author Of the minority against i'm
parchment, to lay the whole subject on the Ia
Die, that gentleman, at the request Of Mr. Lo-
A bllc "a AtlC Ni'tl't-bt NttNiNt ~ itt'Al' "
the motion in order to allow the latter to move
p the adoption of the majority report fayorin2
| impeachment. The matter was thus brought
{ to the most direct issue possible, and the pro-
position to impeach was defeated by a vote Of
yeas 81, nays lOS-the nays comprising GS re-
e pubIicaus aud 40 democrats. There were
tweuty-oue members absent or not voting.
Among the twenty-oue absent or not voting
we find Mr.. KITCHEN, of Berkeley.
On Monday in the Senate, the resolution oil
= Mr. Chandler declaring neutrality on the part
of the United States between the contendn2
force, Of England aud Abysiuia was called up
Mr. Wilson introduced a bill removing the dis
] ability on two hundred and eighty-iour person,
in Alabama who were DISTINGUISHED under tn,
act of Congress for participation in the rebel
, lion. The list includes Governor Patton auC
J General Lngstrcct.
In the House an unusually large number oil
e bills and resolutions were introduced aud re-
4 lerrcd. Tie bill from the Senate striking out
! the word "white from all laws relating t'
the District of Columbia was passed 10y strict
party vote.