Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-07-13
The Extra Session of Congress.

Both houses of Congress met on Wednes-
day, 3d inst, there being quorum in BOTH
In the Senate there were thirty.five members
present, of whom but one was Democrat
In the House there were one hundred and
twenty-seven members present, of whom
four were Democrats.
Mr.Sumner,in presenting certain petitions,
argued against limiting the business of Con-
gress to the passage of an amendatory Re-
construction act, and in favor of long ses-
sion if necessary. Mr.. Wilson offered his
amendatory bill. Mr.. Sumner introduced
bill abolishing in all the States political
distinctions on account of color. Mr.. Drake
introduced bill providing for the removal
of civil officers in the Rebel States, for The
appointment of Successors by the District
Commanders, and for the re-sdmission of
the States. bill in explanation of the Re-
construction acts was introduced by Mr..
Edmunds, declaring the military authority
paramount in the South. Mr.. Frelinghuysen
presented a similar bill, and resolution
was passed requesting the President to
furnish copies of all instructions and cor
respondence under the Reconstruction acts.
The Senate adjourned until Friday, after
agreeing in caucus to confne its work to the
passage ola declaratory bill.
In the House the important business
transacted was the exclusion of the Ken
lucky members, notoriously elected as rebels.
MIR. Logans resolution, referring the creden-
tials to committee, and forbidding them in
the meanwhile to take their seats, was pass
ed by vote 81 to 90. Mr.. George NJ. Adams,
against whom no charges of disloyalty were
made, was admitted. Mr.. Eliot offered a
resolution limiting the business of the session
to the perfecting of the Reconstruction act,
and excluding general legislation, which was
adopted. The Senate and House agreed upon
this point. The House also adjourned over
TO Friday.
In the Senate on Friday, Mr.. Edmunds, OF
Vermont, introduced a bill, which was
tabled and ordered to be printed, empower
ing the registration boards in the South to
examine and decide upon the qualifications
of persons applying to be registered under
the Reconstruction acts, and declaring that
no person shall be entitled to vote who can
not take the oath prescribed by the supple
mental act. Mr.. Anthony offered resolu-
tion declaring that the business of the ses-
sion should be confined to providing for the
execution of the Reconstruction act. After
considerable opposition and debate the reso
luton was adopted-yeas %, nays 0. The
Senate adjourned until Monday.
In the House, a memorial of Green M
Adams against representative Beck, from
Kentucky, was presented and referred
Resolutions of thanks to Generals Sheridan
and Sickles were adopted--yeas III, nay,
~. On motion of Mr.. Washburn, of Indi
ana, the Judiciary Committee were directed
10 inquire whether Congress has power 4
regulate suffrage in the States, and if so I,
report a bill accordingly. Mr.. Shanks of
fersd resolution, expressing pleasure at th,
downfall of Maximilian, but the House re
fused to suspend the rules to receive it.
Mr. Spalding, of Ohio, introduced anothe
supplementary Reconstruction bill, afte
which the House adjourned until Monday