The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-12-20
CONGRESSIONAL.

NOlllNol wv VII NNlNttO ADiAN''AAA
and Abyssinia, and proceeded to deliv-
cr a speech denouncing the course of
the British Governmentint thelate war,
which, he said, had cost the United
States two hundred thousand lives and
two billions Of dollars; the lives, he
said, could never be repaid, but every
foot of land owned by that Power on
this continent was responsible for the
debt, and the day would come when it
would be taken to pay that obligation.
He concluded with a demand for the
recognition Of the Abyssinian flag both
on land and sea. Mr.. Johnson spoke
in reply to Mr.. Chandler and against
the resolution. After some additional
speech-making on the subject, the Sem
ate went into executive session without
taking any action on the resolution,
and as its conclusion adjourned.
HoUsE.-A great number ofbills and
resolutions were reported and referred
to the different committees. Aspecial
committee of five was ordered to con-
slider the report of the Commissioners
appointed to revise the statutes of the
United States army. The House pro-
ceeded to the consideration of the reso-
luton adopted in Committee of the
Whole on Saturday, referring portions
of the Presidents message to designa-
ted committees, and a portion of it
was referred to the Committee on Re
construction. This action virtually re-
wives that committee. The Senate bill
for the better protection of civil rights
in the District of Columbia was taken
up and passed, yeas 106, nays 80. Mr..
Hooper introduced a bill to reduce the
internal revenue taxes, and addressed
the House in favor oft. Several other
members made speeches on the same
subject, but no action was taken by the
House Without transacting any 9TH
er business of general importance the
House, at 3 40 P. NJ, adjourned.
SENATE.-Mr. Cole introduced a bill
amending the legal tender act so that
contracts made after July 4, 1868, paya-
BILE in coin, may be enforced according
to agreement, legal tender notes re-
manning a legal tender in all cases las at
present. except as above, and for pay
ment of important duties, interest on
the public debt, &c. Mr.. Wilson in
troduced his bill to remove the pOliti-
cal disabilities of certain citizens of
Alabama. The resolution of Mr..
Drake, to censure the President for the
sentiments expressed in his annual
message, coming up, Mr.. d. proceeded
to speak at length in support of his
proposition.
HoUsE.-The speaker of the House
announced the committee on recon-
structiOn. A concurrent resolution
was adopted by the House to adjourn
over from the Goth of Dcember until
the 9th of January. Tho eonfecation
bill of Mr.. Stevens coming up, it was
opposed in speeches of considerable
length by Mr.. Chandler, of New York,
and Mr.. Eldridge, of Wisconsin, after
which its further consideration was
postponed until the 21st of January.
The resolution of Mr.. Ashley, of Ohio,
proposing to amend the constitution
so as to give universal suffrage in all
the States, was taken up and discussed
by the author until the hour of adj
journment.
SENATE. The committee on Finance
reported favorably the House bill eX-
empting all cotton grown after the
year 1867 from the internal revenue
tax. Mr.. brakes resolution censuring
the President was then taken up, and
after a personal explanation from Mr..
Drake denying the report that he had,
when in the Legislature Of Missouri,
the enslavement Of all free
negroes in that State, Mr.. Johnson took
the floor and delivered an address in
reply to Mr.. brakes speech OfTuesday
last and in defence of the course of the
President. At its conclusion the fur
ther consideration of the resolution
was postponed. The House resolution
for an adjournment of Con-
gress from December Goth to January
9th was rejected-yeaS Is, nays 20.
The Senate then went into executive
session and at its close adjourned.
HoUsE.-A great number ofbills and
resolutions were introduced and dis
posed of. Among them were the fol-
lowing: BY Mr.. Maynard, a resolu-
ton directing the Committee on For
eign Affairs to inquire into the eXpedi-
ency of providing that our diplomatic
and consular representatives to Hayti,
Liberia, and other African ports,
should be selected from among Ameri-
can citizens of African descent. 1t twas
referred to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs. BY Mr.. Spalding, a resolu
ton declaring that while the House
does not claim any right to participate
in the treaty-making power, yet that
its voice should be heard in perfecting
treaties, &c. 1t was referred to the
Committee of the Whole. BY Mr.. Ba
ker, a resolution declaring that it was,
on all accounts, eXpedient that the
military establishment should be as
small as is compatible with the needs
of the country, and directing the Mill
tarY Committee to inquire into the eX-