The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-12-17
Congress.

Congress.
Dec. I'm the House, the impeachment
question was resumed Mr. Wilson withdrew
the majority resolution ordering impeachment,
which was lost by 81 to 1O8. Absent 81. A
motion to reconsider, and to lay the motion to
reconsider on the table, prevailed, and thus i'm
parchment ends.
A resolution suspendiRg the powers of the
Secretary of the Treasury to contract the curren-
ey, prevailed by vote of 12S to 81.
The House went into Committee of the whole
on the Massage Pending the debate, the Re-
construction committee, to which Stevens re-
quested several points of the message to be re-
ferred was denounced as an obstruction to re-
construction. Stevens struggles hard against
the turning tide, and excites admiration and pity.
No one heeds the yindictive utterances of the
worn out leader.
Dec, 9-In the Senate, petition from the
Assistant Assessors in North Carolina, praying
for compensation, was presented. Mr. Wilson
gave notice that he would, tomorrow, report &
bill, removing the political disabilities from 2S4
Alabamians, recommended by Gems. Pope and
Swayne.
La the House, among the bills offered was one
exempting from taxation manufactures yielding
less than So, 900 per annum. One directing the
Secretary of the Treasury to use $1,000, 900 In
Greenbacks in purchase of bonds. One for the
more effectual government Of the rebel States.
The Judiciary Committee was directed to en-
quire into the expediency Of amending the Re-
construction Acts so as to make members Of the
Conventions take the test-oath. After severe
contest, certain portions of the Presidents mes
sage was referred to the Reconstruction COM
mittee, thus revivng the Committee
Dec. 10-In the Senate, the President was
called on for the correspondence relative to the
recognition of begercnt rights by Great Britain
to the Confederacy.
Mr. Wilson introduced his bill removing the
political disabilities from 2S4 Alabamians.
Mr. brakes concurrent resolution censurng
the President for the language used towards
Congress in the message, came up, and Drake,
in an elaborate speech, assailed the President
bitterly. In the course of his remarks, abiding
to the negro voters, he said that they now as
much superior to the white trash around them.
as the white trash was superior to the negro
when he was in slavery. The matter was made
the special order for Thursday.
In the House, the Speaker announced the Re-
construction Committee, which was resuscitated
by yesterdays action, to consist of Stevens, Bout
nell, Pause, Brooks and Beck,-but two Dem
ocrats.
Mr. Stevens confscation bill of last session
came up. There were several speeches in oppo-
stion and the matter was postponed to the 2lst
| of january.
A concurrent resolution was adopted, to adj
journ from the Goth inst. to the 9th Of january
DEC. lin the Senate, petition from an
immense number of naturalized citizens COM
planning of grievances and asking that their
rights be defined by law, referred to the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mr. Anthony introduced bill, declaring null
the confscation and forfeiture acts passed by the
rebel Legislatures. Referred
Mr. Sherman introduced bill, providing that
all balances from captured or abandoned property
be put into the Treasury and not drawn thence
without authority of law. Mr. Sherman stated
that the amount reached several millions. A
discussion ensued, during which McCulloch was
charged with illegally disposing of several hun
dred thousands. The bill was postponed.
In the House, several members made personal
| explanations their votes in favor of impeach-
ment, Ill which the President was roundly abused.
The Judiciary committee reported back the
bill In relation to the government of the ''rebel
States and it was referred to the Reconstruction
committee. The committee on Military Affairs
reported adversely to paying the army weekly.
Dec. 12.-In the Senate Mr. Sherman re-
ported the House bill repeating the Cotton Tax.
1t will be considered tomorrow. The bill for
the conversion of the proceeds of captured and
| abandoned property into the Treasury, was taken
up, considered and further postponed.
In the House, Mr. Ashley of Ohio, offered a bill
relating to the Freedmen's Bureau. Referred
MIR Maynard offered a resolution providing
that diplomatic and consular representatives to
haytl and other African governments be selec-
ted from negroes. Referred to the Committee
on Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Schenk made point of order that under
the Constitution no distinctions should be made
The Speaker said the point was well taken
Washington Items.