The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-07-16
Gbr Wssttrn Demotrat.
CHARLOTTE, N. C.
CONGRESS.

reconstruction The following rs the sixth Sec
ton of the bill;
"TSe true intent and meaning Of the oath
prescribed in the said supplementary act IS,
among other things: That no person who has
been member of the Legislature OF any State
or who has held any executive or Judicial ottce
in apy State, whether he has taken an oath to
support the Constitution oc the United States
or not, and who has afterwards engaged in in
surrection against the United States or given
aid and comfort to the enemies thereof, is en-
titled to be registered to vote. And the
words Executive or judicial Office in any State"
mentioned, shall be construed to include all
civil officers created By law for the administra-
tion of the several laws of the State"
The Senate, by vote of &c to S, refused to
consider the joint resolutions thanking Sherl-
dan, Sickles, Schofe'd and Pope. Mr. Grimes
thought it would be very premature to pass
these resolutions at this time. They were not
sufficiently informed of the merits of the cases
to be able to Judge. Formerly the thanks OF
Congress were only rendered extraordinary
occasions, and it was considered great compl-
ment to any one to receive them. But If this
kind of precedent was to be established, they
would next be rendering thanks to the Gov
ernors of the Territories and to the Governor OF
our new Russian possessions.
Several Intellectual efforts to introduce general
legislation failed.
In the House, large number of bills were
introduced and referred without debate The
bill introduced by the reconstruction committee
will be found in another column.
The Committee on elections reported that no
person who had given aid or comfort to the
rebellion should be allowed to swear in. But
.dsloyalty of constituents, or llegality of cleo
tions, should not prevent member, holding
certificate, from swearing in. The report was
laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
A resolution calling for the proceedings of the
Cabinet on the Reconstruction bill passed by
vote of 103 to 26.
Mr. Butler moved the appointment of special
Committee of five to investigate the assasslna-
ton, and that the Committee promise the pro-
lection of the House to accomplices who have
not been tried or sentenced, who may give val
liable evidence. Passed under suspension of
the rules,
July 9-In the Senate, the judiciary recon
struction bill was taken up. The day
sumed in arguing whether the Commanders
should be allowed to appoint civilians to vacant
State offices. The Senate adjourned without
definite action.
In the House, the reconstruction bill was
sumed. The bill passed by yeas 1l9, nays 81.
The following voted in the negative: Messrs.
Adams, Archer, Barnes, Eldridge, Getz, Gloss
'brenner, Holman, Hotchkiss, Marshall, McCul-
lough Morgan, Morrissey, Mungeon, Nblack,
Nicholson, Noel, Phelps Randall, Robinson,
Ross, Sitgreaves, Stewart, Stone, Taber, Van
Aiken, Van Trump and Wood.
July 10.-In the Senate, the consideration
of the Judiciary committees reconstruction bill
was resumed. An amendment giving the Com
manders power to gil vacancies by appointing
citizens or detailed soldiers was adopted by 20
to Is.
In the House, the time for taking evidence
in the Kentucky elections was extended to De-
cember. A committee of five was appointed to
enquire into the treatment of Union prisoners,
with power to send for persons and papers. A
bill was introduced extending the provisions of
the Homestead Act to Alabama, Mississippi.
Arkansas, Louisiana and Florida. Referred to
the Reconstruction Committee. The Committee
on Forei On relations was directed to enquire
whether any American citizen has been arrested
and convicted in Great Britain for words spoken
in America.
MIR Wilson said that the Judiciary Committee
have requested him to state that they were not
ready to report the impeachment.
Mr. Boutwell, offered a concurrent resolution
to adjourn to October next, elicitlng warm de-
bate, which was interrupted by the announce
Humber of euogies the House adjourned.
July lin the Senate, the consideration
OF the judiciary Committees reconstruction
bill was resumed Mr. Howard withdrew his
amendment which specified certain classes as
entitled to register, with the remark that as
there was a large share of judicial power |, # in
the hands of the District Commanders, it would,
perhaps, be as we'll to leave them to determine
the matter. The fourth section was amended
by adding that any person appointed by tho
District Commander may be removed by him.
MIR Drake introduced an amendment demand
ing some additional guarantee preliminary to
the admission Of representatives, but was ruled
out Of order. He appealed from the chair The
Senate sustained the chair by vote of "a to
13
Mr. Buckalew offered an amendment making
the vote for congressman cumulative, giving to
each elector many votes as there were Con-
gressional Districts iu the State, and allowing
him to cast all the votes for one candidate or
divide them at pleasure. Ruled out of order
by 20 to Z. The reconstruction bill was then
passed.
The House resumed the consideration of the
concurrent resolution of adjournment; an eabo-
rate argument ir regard to the Impeachment
ensued Finally Mr. Stevens moved the pre-
vious:queston on the resolution that the Judi
ciary Committee be ordered to report partially
to the House at this Session. The demand was
mot sustained.
Mr. Wilson moved that the committee be or.
dered to report next session and that the com
mi:tee be allowed to print 1900 copies of the
report, and demanded the previous question,
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