The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1867-03-21
THURSDAY MARCH IA.

SENATE.-The credentials of the Sen
ators from Arkansas were presented
and laid on the table. The House bill
supplement airy to the act to provide for
the more efficient government OF the
States was then taken up, the question
being on the substitute reported by the
Judiciary Committee. Mr.. Drake off
cred an amendment providing that the
registered voters in each State at the
election for delegates shall also vote for
or against convention, and a majority
of the votes cast shall decide whether a
convention shall be held or not. After
long discussion the amendment was
rejected-yeas II, nays q. Mr.. Drake
then proposed an amendment provid-
ing for the perpetual holding Of cleo
tions by the secret ballot in the South
ern States. This also elected a long
discussion, which was still pending
when the Senate went into executive
session and at its close adjourned.
HoUsE.-Mr. Covode, of Pennsylvania,
asked leave to introduce a resolution
providing for the appointment ola COM
lnittee of five to Investigate the charges
against the Treasury Department, and
to examine the accounts and hooks of
the same. Objection being made the
resolution was laid aside to be again
called up On Monday.
FRIDAY MARCH 10.
The resolution reported on Thursday
from the Committee OF Public Build
ings to prohibit the sale of intoxicating
liquors in the Capitol building was TAX
en- up and passed. The Senate resmed
the consideration of the substitute for
the House bill supplementary to the
Military Reconstruction act, the ques-
ton being ON Mr.. brakes amendment
offered. on Thursday. The amendment
was rejected. The 18th section was so
amended as to provide for the admission
of Representatives from any State as
soon as Congress shall have approved
the Constitution adopted by said State.
The Senate then went into executive
session, and at its close adjourned.
HoUsE.-A resolution reported from
the Joint Committee on Retrenchment
was passed. Itauthorizes the Secretary
of the Treasury to sell the coin and bull
lion now in the Treasury which is claim
ed by the Richmond banks, and to re-
tain in the Treasury the proceeds Of the
sale. The House then adjourned until
Monday.
SATURDAY MARCH 16.
SENATE.-The Senate then went into
Committee of the Whole and took up
the Supplementary Reconstruction bill.
A long discussion ensued, in the course
of which number Commandments were
proposed. The onlyamendments how
ever, which were adopted were as
follows: An amendment provid :
ing that the constitution shall be
adopted when voted for by a majority
of the votes cast at the election, and an
amendment providing that at least one
half of the registered voters shall be re-
quired to vote on the question of ratifi-
cation of the new State constitutions.
At I. Is P. M. the committee rose and
reported the bill to the House. The bill
was then amended so as to provide that
a vote shall be taken in each State for
and against the holding of a State Con-
vention; the result of the vote shall de-
eide the question, and that a majority
of the registered voters shall be neces-
sary to legalize the election; that the
States shall be required to provide in
their amended constitutions that at al.
elections by the people the voting shall
be by ballot. An amendment was also
adopted changing the oath contained in
the first section Of the bill. adjourned.
llC llOOoC w do AOV III OSo-
sion on Saturday.
MONDAY MARCH IS.
SENATE.-The joint resolution author
izing the Secretary Of War to furnish tc
Governor Brownlow, ofTennessee, arms
and equipments for twenty-five hun
dred militia was then taken up. The
resolution was adopted-yeas IS, nays s.
The Senate then went into executive
Session and at its close adjourned.
HoUsE.-The House agreed to the
Senate concurrent resolutions prohibit
ing the sale of liquor in the Capitol
building or grounds. The House then
proceeded to the consideration Of the
Senate substitute for the bill supple
mentary to the act to provide for the
more efficient government Of the South
ern States. The following amendments
were adopted: an amendment requiring
all persons before being registered tt
take oath that they have never been
members of any State Legislature OF
held any judicial office in any State
and afterwards engaged in war agains
the Federal Government; an amend
ment recognizing the ratification of q
constitution when it shall have received
a majority of the votes of qualified reg
istered electors; and an amendment
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