The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-01-04
LATEST BY TELEGRAPH
Midnight Report.
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3.
SENATE.
TIE Senate met at II m, Mr.. Foster in the
Chair.
The CHAIR laid communication from
the Secretary of the Treasury, transmitting
the bill and report Of Commissioner Wells,
before the Senate, which was referred to the
Finance Committee.
Mr.. CHANDLER presented a protest
against the curtailment of the national cur.
rency. Referred
Mr.. MORGAN presented o remonstrancs
OF New York merchants against any change
in the duty on sugar, linseed and steel. Re.
ferred.
Mr.. SUMNER introduced resolution d.
recting the Judiciary Committee to inquire
if legislation on the Constitutional amends
ment is necessary to protect the sale OF per.
sons into slavery for a term Of years as Q
punishment for crime and called attention to
case which had come under his observation,
in which colored persons had been sold by
order Of Criminal Courts in Maryland, and It
seemed TO him that Congress ought to have
the opinion Of the Judiciary Committee as to
the right of States to iutlict such punishment
since the time the Constitutional amendment
was adopted.
Mr.. SALISBURY said that the advertise.
ments referred to by Mr.. Sumner were copies
of what frequently -ppeared in newspapers
some years ago. The Legislature of Mary
land had not been in session since the pas
sage of the Civil Rights bill and had there.
fore no opportunity to change the laws of that
/ State.
Mr.. JOHNSON said he had no objection
to the reference of the resolution of Mr.
Sumner, il the purpose for which he pro-
posed it would be accomplished. The Judge
who ordered the sale referred to has been ar.
rested undeF the Civil Rights bill and the
case would toou be tried, and probably carr
red to the Supreme Court. He believed
there was not State in the Union more op.
posed to slavery on account OF color than
Maryland
\ Mr.. FES$ENDEN asked If the law under
which crimi4als are sold in Maryland applied
to white men also?
Mr. CRE]SWELL said not
Mr. JOHNSON said if there was a differ
ence IN punishment between whites and
blacks IT Would be settled under the Civil
Rights bill
/ Mr. CRESSWELL said the amendment
abolishing slavery covered the whole case.
/ he words, except punishment for
crime. +" wers meant TO give the right to sell
criminals into slavery. The proper enforce.
/ ment of the amendmen, would abolish all
/ such sales oflpersons. He could not agree
with his colleague as to the eradication OF the
spirit OF SLAVERY from the State of Maryland
/ Perhaps Mr. gohnson was right. That could
be ascertainef when il was seen what The
/ Legislature jist convened would do to abolish
] the black laws, of which the sales referred 10
were but the spirit.
! Mr. SUMNER resumed the floor, and
spoke in favor OF the resolution. which was
then adopted
Mr. JOHNSON presented memorial OF
the citizens OF Louisiana, asking assistance in
repairing the leyees of the Mississippi. Re-
/ ferred
Mr.. SHERMAN presented memorial
from Gen Grant and other officers, asking
thai In addition TO the present pay, retired
/ officers be allowed longevity rations Re.
/ ferred.
/ Mr.. SHERMAN presented petition
against the in creased duty on railroad iron.
Referred
Mr.. CRAGIN introduced bill in relation
to the appointment OF Registers Of wills and
Registers OF deeds, for the District of Co
| lumbia.
| Mr.. SUMNER presented resolution in
structing the Judiciary Committee to inauire
| If further legislation is necessary to prevent
the enslavement of Indians or any 81 stem of
peonage in the Territory Of New Mexico
Mr.. SUMNER said the extent to which the
| peonage and slavery oi the Indians was car.
! ried on in the Territory OF New Mexico was
greater than the Senators were aware of He
read from the report Of the Commissioner of
Indian affairs concerning the treatment of
captive Indians. in supper. Of this resolution
1t appeared from this report, he said. that the
officers Of the United States army held cap
| tive indians in a state of peonage, and il was
| to this he directed attention.
Mr.. CONNESS said the administration of
military affairs in the Territory OF New Mex.
leo had been shame and disgrace for years.
He had made efforts for reformation, but
without avail. He had evidence in his pos.
session that the officers referred to by Mr..
Summer, were personally intesterested in lea.
siDg and letting to the Government. Adopt
| ed.
Mr. HOWARD offered resolutions in
stracting the Committee on public lands to
inquire what legislation is necessary to pro.
tect the interest of the United States in the
lands granted for railroad purposes, before
the completion of rail- oads and in home.
stead lands before the issue of patents
Adopted.
The unfinished business Of last day IS ses
sion, which was the bill to admit Nebraska,
was taken up.
Mr.. WADE said as the Senate was not
full. he had no desire to press this bill to day.
A postponement was agreed to, and made
the special order for Monday next.
Mr.. EDMONDS gave notice tha, he would
Tomorrow call up the bill to regulate the
tenure of office.
Mr. RAMSEY called up the resolution to
print the report of the Commissioners Of
Public Lands with accompanying maps, in
French, German and English, for dis,ribut-
ton at the Paris Exhibition. Adopted.
Mr. HOWARD gave notice of motion to
amend bill relative to the selection of Grand
and Petit Jurors in Utah Il makes it
misdemeAnor tQrsolemn,ze matrimony unles,
authorized: also that no mau shall claim the
society or services of any woman without
! marriage. or by any sealing ceremony, with
ont her consent All children, fruit of such
pretended union, shall be the heirs OF M
mother, but not of the father; Also giYel
power to women to sne for services durin,
suy such sealed marriage. All persons pres
ent at or assisting in snch ceremony are gull
ty Of misdemennor. All such cases to bs
heard and tried by the Distaics Court.
The pending question upon Salisbury
amendment to repeal the entire bill was post
poned till to>mbTow.
Mr. SUMNER called up the bill to pre-
vent fraudulent inducements to the negroe
to emgrate from this country. II punishe
persons so offending with fine of not NOR
than 5000, or orIimprisopment for not NOR
than fiye years, or both; and forfeiture Of tn
vessels used to- carry persons SO induced 4
emigrate. v
Mr.. HENDRICKS moved to amend th
bill by striking out the words negro, mulat
to or other,' so as to make it rea
that 'sif any one shall, by fraudulent repre-
sentations. induce any person" etc.
Mr.. SUMNER said il this were adop,e
the reader Of the bill would not be so care
! fully on bis guard against the particular evil
: sought 70 be cured IN framing the bill, an
the committee had only followed precedeu
) heretofore adopted by Congress.
Mr.. DO0LlTTLE said these were amend
meAts be would like to see adopted.
) Pending the consideration Of the bill th
!. Senate adjourned.