The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1867-12-26

DlStrACk OF 1qlsSOuris aS sworn Ih.xA
bill W. reported for The Better orgAni
cation Eof jsrors lin Tie Distriet of Col
umbia& Arssolution 10 furnish meeers
to- smsal distilleries Nas referred. AIr.
Stevens reported his amended Recon
struction act so that q simple majority
Of votes cast for or against the Consti-
tuition may reafiirm or reject such Consti-
tuition. The third section assigns the
number of Representatives. as follows
To South Corolina 6, two Of whom shall
be elected by genersl ticket; to North
Corolipa zone to be elected on general
ticket;o to Georgia 8, one to- be elected
on general ticket; to Florida ITO Ala
bamaa 70, two to be elected on general
tiekcty to Mississippi 6, one foni general
ticket; to- Arkansas 81 TO Virginia the
number is left blank. Being objected to,
the bill was not received. A resolution
was adopted authorizing the Judiciary
Committed to continue the inquiry con-
corning public affairs in Maryland, with
the powers and authority given to the
Committee on that subject by the orders
and resolutions which have been adopted
by the House. The joint resolution to
equalize the pay Of the employees of Con-
gress was zconcurred in The bill to
prevent the reinstatement of cashiered
or dismissed army officers, except on re-
appointment and confirmation by the
Senate, was passed. The Senate bill to
change The time Of the annual meeting of
the stockholders Of the Union Pacific
Railroad was passed, and goes to the
President. Tn Committee of the Whole
there was discussion upon the impeach-
ment movement andupon taxing bonds.
Gen. Grants letter on the removal Of
Stanton and Sheridan were handed in,
and created quite stir on the Demo
cratic side. A bill allowing free goods
to be stored in bonded warehouses was
referred @&f# a@ saA f-S rsttAs - =
The Senate ON the 18th adopted the
resolution calling for correspondence in
regard to the British occupation Of the
Island of San Juan. A resolution was
referred directing the printing of all
laws and joint resolutions as soon as
passed. An amendment to the Recon
struction acts were referred, providing
that registration shall not be reopened,
but on voting on new constitutions those
only shall vote who registered before the
Convention elections, and that n MAORI
ty Of those actually voting shall be suf-
ficient to elect. The Judiciary Com
mittee reported in favor of admitting
Phillip F. Thomas as Senator from Ma
ryland The House resolution, extend
ing to certain Michigan railroads the
time for taking UP pabiic lands, was
passed. Then there was continuation
Of the debate on the repeal of the cot
ton tax. The PRESIDENTS Message com
mcnding Gen. Hancock. came in and
made quite a stir, but was not disposed
Of, when motion to adjourn prevailed.
In the House information was asked
for in regard to the reported firing by
Russian war vessels upon American
whalers in The Ochotsk Sea. The morn
ing hour.was consumed in debate upon
the bill providing that al persons rcliev-
ed from the charge of desertion or ab-
sence without leave from the Army or
Navy by the act Of July 18th, 1867,
shall be furnished certificates Of honora-
bic discharge under the limitations and
restrictions of that act. The second
section repeats the 21st section of the act
of March 8, 1865, which disfranchizes
deserters, except that.it is net to affect
the decisions Of court-martial, and is not
to entitle any person to bounty, pension,
pay. or emoluments of any kind. Nc
vote was taken. An appropriation
bill of S12,667 900 was reported to sup-
ply deficiencies in the execution of the
Reconstruction laws. In Committee Mr.
Spalding spoke upon the nature and ex-
tent Of the treaty making power of the
Executive, referring particularly to the
Russian American purchase, which he
contended Congress was no. bound tc
carry out. Mr.. Ashley's amendment te
the Reconstruction bill was then discus
sed at much length, and finally passed
104 to 81. It.repeals tue. section requi
ring o majority Of all registered voters
| to vote upon proposition in order te
carry it, leaving an actual majority O
those voting sufficient to enact any law
it also provides that when the people
vote upon a Constitution in any recon
structed State, they may also elect mem
bers of Congress according to the dis
tricts existing in 1859, which member
may take thei1 seats upon taking thu
usual oath. - - Sc zoss6saa sac aF
In the Senate Dec. 18th the .Hous
Reconstruction amendment was referee