Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-01-17
CONGREssIONAL,


!. sSTNATl-Yesterday AFTERNOON
Mr.. howard's motion to take mp his resolu
ton ins'ructing the Committee on Foreign AT.
fairs TO report upon the condition Of Mexican
affairs was disagreed to.
Mr.. Sumner stated that the inquiry was al.
together unnecessary a. he had ofhcial infor-
nation that the French troops were now lsav.
Mr Fessenden gave notice that he would call
mp the Tariff bill on Monday.
The bill TO regulate the tenure OF once was
taken mp. The question was upon the amend
ment OF Mr.. Sumner, that all onicers and agents
OF the Government, except department clerks,
whose ealaries exceed o. ,00o per annum, shall
be appointed by the President, by and with the
advice and consent Of the Senate.
IN the course OF some remarks Mr.. Cowan
said the whole number Of Offices in the gift of
the President was 2,434. The whole um Der OF
removals made during the year was 44s.
After some debate the Senate adjourned.
HoUsK-Yesterday afternoon, the bill in
troduced by Mr.. Stevens for the reconstruc- =
ton ofthe late rebel States being under dis
cussion-
Mr.. Bingham addressed the House at con-
siderable length, In opposition to the bill. He
the Constitu tional amendment This bill
neither stood with the constitutional amend =
Inent, nor with the duty of Congress 10 give
due protection to citizens OF the United States
within the disorganized States. He would
have the lately rebel States 90 on and perform
acts for the ratification OF the constitutional
amendment, even though they were net regu-
larly organized States, and the ratification OF
their acts subsequently, by Congress would
legaiIZe them. The sixth section of the bill
disfranchised million of men, which was
clear departure from the constitutional
amendment, which opposed no disability but
the disability 10 hold Office. This bill not enly
decitizen nized million of people, but IL dis
franchised them also He declared that this
bill, instead of being a bill of reconstruction,
was bill of destru ction; instead Of its being a
bill ofrestOration. IL was q bill Of dsun MON and
perpetual dismemberment. Referring to Mr..
Ashley's bill, he showed how absurd IL was
10 deny that the rebel States Were States, for
the Executive, the Judiciary, and even Con
gress had recognized them-Congress had
made appropriations for judges of the United
States In the States of Florida, Alabama, and
other districts. He looked upon both bills as
departures from the constitutional amend
ment.
Mr.. Dawson fellowed'n an argument 10
prove that the Presidential policy was the
true solution of the national difficulties
Mr.. Baker obtained the floor, but yielded to
Mr. Stevens, on whose motion the House
went into Committee Of the Whole on the state
OF the Union, Mr.. Lawrence, OF Pa, in the
chair,) and resumed the consideration of the
legislative appropriation bill.
On motion Of Mr.. Washburne, (Ill.) the ap-
preparation for steamboat inspectors and SUI
perlniendents was increased $4,000 for the
more thorough investigation Of the causes of
recent disasters.
The clause appropriating s4OO for faeili-
tating communication between the Atlantic
and Pacific States by electric telegraph was
struck out.
On motion of Mr.. Price, the clause to nav
five watchmen in the public garden was struck
out.
Mr.. Radford moved to amend the clause for
the payment of the Metropolitan police for the
District Of Columbia by reducing the increased
compensation from fifty per cent. to twenty
five per cent.
At the suggestion OF Mr. Farquhar, he put
the reduction at twenty per cent
The amendment was agreed TO.
On motion of Mr.. Bergen, the date for the
commencement Of increased compensation was
changed from 1st July, 1865, to LIST November
ISG6.
Mr.. Harding (Ill) moved to amend the par.
agraph by add ing the following porviso:
Provided, That hereafter no person shall be
employed as police or watchman who had not
served at least one year, or been wounded. in
the army of the United States, and received an
honorable discharge.
Mr.. Hale suggested that that was rather
sweeping, and would remove from office ali
the present force. 1t should be made simply
Mr.. Harding (Ill.) consented to modify the
amendment by putting in the words "shaIl be
appointed"
On suggestion of DIR. Radford. the amend.
ment was further modified by striking out the
words 80 at least one year"
The amendment thus modified was adopted
Mr. Randall Pa offered an additional sec
tfon making an appropriation TO pay the in
creased compensation voted last session TO
clerks and employees.
Mr.. Stevens said il would not do TO agree to
that amendment this evening, and he called
for q division on IL. -..,|
The division showed-yeas 30 nays Is. no
quorum being present The division not being
insisted on. the Chairman declared the amend
ment adopted.
The committee rose and reported the hill
and the House adjourned.