Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-01-23
Congress.

pOlltlcal El8nts. VaSious PetN10ue S<sPoSs"6
the tariff we're referred also petition asking
for law prohibiting any person addicted to
the use of intoxicating drinks, from holding
Office under the government. (Hard on the
Dsmooracy.) The credentials of q pretended
South Carolina Senator we're laid on the table,
where they will remain. Mr.. Howard (Mich.)
called Up his resolution calling for information
respecting our relations with Mexico, and pro-
ceeded to make speech, severely erlticising the
course of the government, and demanding that
the United States should secure a republican
government to Mexico. The bill regulating
the tenure of office was debated, Mr.. johnson
(Md.) and others speaking against 1t. Mf.
Sumner (Mass) offered an amendment BRING
ing within the provisions of the bill all oihcers
whose salaries exceed one thousand dollars.
now appointed without the advice and consent
of the Senate. This objected to by Nh
Edmunds, MIR. Fessenden and others, as de-
volvng upon the Senate altogether too much
labor. Without action the Senate adjourned
HoUsk.-The Committee on Claims were in
sructed to report facts respecting the capture
of Jeff Davis, and who captured him. A res
oluton of inquiry into the peonage slave-trsde
in New Mexico and Colorado, was adop;ed.
Resolutions instructing the Committee Oh Eieo-
tons to inquire respecting the use Of federal
troops TO aid rebels In voting 10 Maryland,
were offered, but objected to, and went over.
/ The select committee On the number OF United
States soldiers in South Carolina, was instruct
ed to inquire respecting the murder OF Captain
Montgomery, U. S. officer. by confederate
soldiers under one Geo. w. Chiffon, now seek
ing admission into the House reconstructed
representative Captain Montgomery having
been kidnapped in Matamoras, carried over the
Rio Grande hanged, and his head and ri hit
arm cut off and sent TO his former home as
trophy. The Nebraska bill came up, aud the
vote ordering the previous question was recon
sidered. Mr.. Boutwell, (Mass.) offered an
amendment making the assent of the proposed
state to the Eimunds' amendments condition
precedent to its admission. Attar an earnest
debate the amendment adopted by vote
of 81 to 20, Baxter and Morrill, of Vermont,
voting yea, and Woodbridge absent or not
voting. The bill a amended passed, 1O3 TO
So. The same amendment was made to the
Colorado bill, which was passed. This vote
shows that these territories cannot be made
states with the word 4" white " in their consIi-
tuition.
Jan. l6. St>>TS. lie employees in the
government printing oflice petitioned for in
crease of pay, and army officers ditto. Peii-
lions against any reduction of the currency,
for constitutional amendment prohibiting dis
tiDc,ion on accouot Of color, and IN favor OF
MIR. Stevens bill recognizing North Carolina,
were received and referred The Nebraska
aud Colorado bill came back from the House,
and tie House amendment was debated. MIR.
Edmunds opposed it on the ground that II
should be referred TO the people Of the ierrl-
tory, and not to the legislature. Mr. johnson
(Md.) and others also, opposed the amend
ment, but it was agreed to 70 to ii, Senators
Edmunds, Foster, and Harris voting with the
Democrats against it. Both bills have thus
passed, snd await the executive action. Mr..
SIMMER, from the Committee on Foreign Re
lations, reported resolutions condemning the
Coole trade, which weTs adopted. Inc Sen
ats refused TO take up the resolution calling tor
infor nation respecting Mexican matters. The
bill relating to he tenure of office WAS debat-
ed, but no Jon was had upon II.
HousE-After the disposition of some mi
nor matters, Mr.. Stevens bill for the recon
struction of the Southern States, wos taken
: up. Mr.. Paine (Wis.) spoke against the sec
ond section Of the bill, because ii recognized
the present state governments for certain pur-
poses otherwise he was 10 favor OF the Dill.
MIR Bingham (Ohio) spoke at length and with
that Congress, having proposed the Constitu-
tional sm endment, has, SO far, recognized the
, states and was bound nov not TO overthrow
them The speech rather Johnsony.
Dawson, Dem, Pa.) Spaulding, (Conserva-
tive, Ohio,) also opposed the bill. Inc bill was
| put ASIDE, and tne general appropriation bill
} considered until the adJournment
Jan. l7-SkNATE A bill was reported to
prevent Illegal voting in the District of Col
umbia. The Senate again occupied day il
discussing the bill to regulate the tenure Of Of
i fce-the action OF President Johnson being
D The chief topic Of the long, rambling discussion,
in which Messrs. McDoug4li and Cowan en-
deavored to Justify the Presidents course.
MIR. Sumner IN advocating his amendment.
which provides for a general re-sppoln ment OF
federal officers subject TO the confirmation OF
the Senate, spoke of 1t as the duty OF the hour,
and said that this duty had never been iacum-
bent upon US because never had President
: that enemy to his country. Mr. Me-
: Douga., who was in rather confused condi-
tion OF mind, called Mr.. Sumner to order for
having said, ne asserted, that, -" the Presi-
dent was SD enemy 10 his country The oth-
| csl report having been read. and Mr.. An
s thony, who was In the chair, having decided
that the words used by Mr. Sumner were not
gu, of order, Mr.. McDougall withdrew mis- point
OF order. Mr.. nooliule then took up the
= matter and called MIR. Sumner to ordsf for
. the words he dad use. Mr.. Anthony again
decided that the language was not out of or
der, much license being permitted IN the de-
BATE. From the decision OF the Chair Mr..
= DooHttle appealed TO the Senate. and Mr.. Lane
moved to lay the appeal on the table. The
decision of MIR. Anthony sustained by the
Ssnae but it is said that Mr.. Doolittle In
tends 10 demonstrate, by references to parila-
d meptary law, that Mr.. Summers remark Was
out o. order.
The episode consumed the latter part of The
afternoon, the bill again went over without
vote.
HOusE.-1he House concluded the Consld-
: Grafton of The Legislative, Executive and Ju-
dicitl Appropriation Bill. adopting several
amendments
h The appropriations for the President's salary
and for the Executive Mansion were all passed
and the appropriation for a Pardon Clerk
which had been stricken out in Commute oil
the Whole, was restored and passed.
/ There the usual wrangle over the appro-
, priaton for the purchate of back Of the
= Congressional Globe for Few members of the
u next Congress.
The House concluded the day by listening
to several speeches on reconstruction.
i Jan. 16-SENATE.-Mr.S Sumner spoke 6
g length on the bill relating to the tenure O
office, and in favor Of his amendment. Mr.
Edmunds and others spoke against the amend
Is ment and 1t was finally rel cted by vote o
i 21 against Is. In The course of Mr.. Sumner
n speech be severely criticised the President, anC
. condemned him having corTupty used hi
appointing power against the liberties of TIL