The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-01-08
Congressional.

WASHING TON, january Tn the House,
NcClarg, OF Missouri, introduced I reso-
luton stating whereas Confederate owners
OF slaves We're taking advantage of the
Act OF Congress which paid loyal owners
for their slaves who were in United States
service, the Committee on the Judiciary be
instructed to inquire into tho c1pcdiencv
of repeating the Act.
Loan, of Missouri, introduced 4 resolu-
ton setting forth that it was the duty Of
Congress TO impeach the President and
abridge the Executive power, effect per-
feet Reorganization of the Southern States,
and to secure By direct Federal legislation
the right of suffrage to the negroes in tho
late Confederate States. The resolution
was laid over.
Mr.. Ashley introduced paper and reso-
luton .impeaching Andrew johnson, as
Vice-President and acting President of the
United States, of high crimes and misde-
meanors, in that he usurped power and
violated laws; that he had made corrup-
tive use Of the appointing power, the par
donlDg power, and the veto power; that he
had corruptly disposed of the public pro-
perty of the United States; that he had
corruptly interfered i'll elections, and was
guilty OF other high crimes and mis(lc-
nleanors. The resolution instructs the
judiciary Committee to inquire whether,
in the discharge OF his duties, Andrew
Johnson, as Vice-President and acting
President Of the United States, was guilty
of acts designed to corrupt the Govern
ment Of the United States or any depart
ment thereof and whether he had been
guilty OF such acts as in the law would be
dencminated high crimes and misdeme can
ors, which required the interpositon of
the House, and that the Committee have
power to send for persons and papers.
Mr.. Spalding moved to lay the resolution
on the table, which was disagreed to by
yeas 80, nays 1O5.
Mr.. Ashley demanded the previous ques-
ton on the passage of the resolution, and
it was ordered The resolution was then
agreed to by vote of 106 yeas to 36 nays.
Among the radicals who voted in the mega
tive were Davis, Dodge and Raymond, of
New York, Whatley and Latham, Of West
Virginia, and Spalding, of Ohio.
Mr.. Kasson introduced a joint rcsolu-
ton, declaring the meaning OF the thir-
tecnth amendment to tho institution
which prohibits slavery or involuntary SER
vltude, except as punishment of crime
1t pronounccs that the true meaning of
that amendment prohibits slavery in all
forms except i'll due execution OF SEN
tence imposing definite penalty, accord
ing to the laws; which penalty cannot,
without violating the Constitutions impose
any other sentence than that Of imprison-
mcnt, and that all Judgments authorizing
sales into servitudo are in violation Of the
amendment, and therefore void. The re-
solution laid over.
Mir. Stevens was called upon, and intro
duced an amendment to the bill 10 provide
Governments for the South providing that
no person shall be deprived Of the right to
vote, by reason of conviction or punish
Iacnt for treason, or suspicion thereof. He
stated that he offered the amendment, be-
cause he had been reliably informed that,
in North Carolina and other States, in an
ticipation Of the passage of the bill, the
negroes whipped, in order that they might
be disqualified. The amendment was or
dcrod to be printed, and the bill was fur
ther postponed.