Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-02-26
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

SENATE, saturday, Feb. 16.-The proceed
ings last night on Blaine's amendment were
scattering. The point on which the republicans
split is allowing ex-Confederates to vote. All
favor the black vote, but some seem to abhor
the idea OF DISTINGUISHING the whites and placing
the States at the mercy of the blacks, others
are determined to disfranchise the whites as a
punishment, and others because they fear their
votes. After several motions to adjourn were
nsegat1ved, and proposition to adjourn at II
clock, the Senate finally adjourned.
In the course Of debate Mr. Doolittle said the
South would not accept universal suffrage, but
would prefer military rule
MIR. Wilson responded, ''We will make them
accept il"
Mr.. Wilson, during the session, introduced a
bill declaring the constitutional amendment rati-
tied and part of the constitution.
The Senate insisted on it's amendment to the
Bankrupt bill and asked for a Committee OF
Conference
The Stevens bill was resumed Mr.. Doolit-
| tie said 1t was a declaration of war upon ten
States. He closed at a o clock, and Mr.. Sauls-
bury obtained the floor. The Senate then took
| a recess.
| HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The concurrent resolutions of the New York
Legislature, approving of the District OF Column
bla suffrage bill, were presented.
A resolution inquiring into alleged corruption
OF members OF the House involving It's honor by
promising not to do certain things it the Presl-
dent changed his policy and inqulring into the
names OF the members who carried messages
between them and the President, was referred
to select committee of three.
Two and quarter millions were appropriated
for the revenue cutter service.
A bill was passed to erect lighthouses at the
following places: Braddock' Point, Georgia !;
Combahee Bank, Georgia Tybee Island Knob,
Georgia; Morris Island, South Carolina St.
Simons, Georgia Lapela Island, Georgia and
Wolf Island Georgia.
The sum Of 81, 100000 was appropriated for
river and harbor improvements, OF which the
South gets only 5000, ZOO for the improvement
of the mouth Of the Mississippi.
The bill providing for President, in case of
a vacancy, was passed. First the pro ten, Presi-
dent of the Senate, then the Speaker of the
House, and last, the presiding Judge of the Su-
preme Court.
SENATE, Monday, Feb. 1S-Mr Sumner
Society," urging the establishment of an Interna-
tional Tribune to which sectional differences
should be referred.
The bill extending the time for appeals on
writs of error from the excluded States was
passed.
The West Point bill was amended so as to
prohibit Sunday parades, and passed.
Mr. Sumner made an Intellectual effort to dis
inter the Elliott bill.
The Diplomatic Appropriation bill was a
mended so as to pay the salary of Mr.. Harvey,
minister to Portugal
The Senate then went into Executive session.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
A Joint resolution of the Utah Legislature,
praying the repeal of the territorial law prohib-
iting poligamy was received.
The bill for suffrage to both sexes was dis
cussed an hour and then tabled.
A resolution that the President is only en-
powered to pardon after conviction, and that
pardons heretofore granted are null and void.
was referred to the Judiciary Committee
The District Committee was instructed to re-
port bill prohibiting the sale of liquor in the
district
The motion contemplating the withdrawal of
the National Bank currency was tabled
Sherman substitute for the Stevens bill was
taken up.
Mr. Stevens moved that the House non-con-
cur, and asked Committee of Conference.
Mr. Boutwell, spoke in opposition to the SUBJ
stitute. He complained that the bill gave more
power to the President, and the exercise of the
functions Of reconstruction to the rebels. We
ought to remove from the reconstruction bust
ness in South Carolina, the Orrs, Pickenses and
Magraths; but this bill leaves the work open to
any one who may choose to engage in it. We
trust the rebels, with the work of reconstruction
of which we are afraid, or which we are incap-
able to carry out.
Mr.. Stokes, Of Tennessee, opposed the sub
| stitute, because he saw In it universal amnesty
and universal suffrage He did not understand
it's language, if it did not enfranchse every rebel
in the South. He preferred the defeat Of all
Congressional reconstruction measures to the
passage of this bill.
Mr.. Stevens took the ground that the bill
then proceeded with his usual attack on the
President and the Southern people.
Mr. Blaine favored the bill, contending that
it gave no more rights than Congress had given
rebel Tennesseeans
Mr.. Wilson, of Iowa, sustained the BILL
Mr. Bingham made a bitter attack on Ste
vens, showing that there was not single fea-
ture in the bill which had not at one time or
another been favored by the Reconstruction
Committee
Mr.. Shenck, of Ohio, favored the bill as the
only thing possible just now.
| After further argument Mr.. Blaine demanded
the previous question, which was seconded by a
vote of 78 to 64. A motion that the whole sub
.ject be tabled was negatived-4O to 11S. The
House then took recess until o'clock.
SENATE, Tuesday, Feb. l9th.-A bill provi-
ding for the safety of passengers on steam pro-
PEELED vessels was passed.
The action of the House on Sherman's bill
was reported
Mr.. Williams moved that the Senate insist
on its amendment.
Mr. CONFESS objected He thought it too i'm
portant to be submitted to Committee Of con-
ference. The difference between the two hous-
es was fundamental one, and committee of
conference could throw no further light The
present result in the House arose from bad faith
on the part of the friends of the measure He
was in favor Of laying it on the table and taking
up the Louisiana bill, and applying it to all the
Southern States.
Messrs. Sumner and Pomeroy advocated the
appointment of a conference committee.
| Mr. Howard said there should be no compro-
mise or trafficking in such an important matter.
Mr.. Sherman held that the Senate could not
reconcile the House without abandoning the
principles of the BILL The opposition came
from the extremes of both sides-one holding
that the States were now entitled to represen-
tation, and the other that the bill was too lib
eral in its provisions.
| Mr.. Hendricks did not think the President
would shrink from action if the bill reached
him.
Mr.. Pomeroy repeated his belief that the bill
would not become law this session, either by
conference or otherwise
Mr. Wade thouoht tho matter too grave to