Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1867-07-11
Proceedings of Congress.

Congress met on the Cd inst, quorum
being present. In the Senate, 81 mem
bers being present, several bills were in
troduced explanatory of the reconstruction
acts That introduced by Senator Wilson
provides that all Offices held under the au-
thority OF the rebel State governments be
declared vacant 80 days after the passage
of the act. The military commandments
may then fill them by the continuance Of
those now in Office or the appointment OF
others, or may order elections. In other
words, the anomalous state of affairs pro.
duced by the late acts of Congress is to be
remedied by rendering ''the military in
dependent OF and superior to the civil pow
er," in all the Southern States. Reason
and experience teach that two separate
governments cannot tremendously exist in
these States at the same time. Hence the
necessity of Mr.. Wilson's bill. Another
object will also be accomplished, namely:
we shall get rid of such rubbish as the AL
exandria Constitution. This bill also pro-
vides that boards of registration shall have
power to reject the registration of those
suspected OF wishing to evade its require
ments; to examine applicants, and to take
testimony; and may within twenty days
after registration shall have been compile
ted erase the names of those wronefully
registered.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Freling huy-
sen authorizes military commanders to re-
nove or suspend State officers and Gil va
cancies; and invaIidates all acts heretofore
done not in accordance with the above
The provisions Of the bill introduced by
MIR. Edmunds are similar to the above.
except that the acts Of district commanders
are subject to the approval of the General
of the U. S. army. This places General
Grant over the people of the South as die
tator.
Several other similar bills were introdu-
ced, which We shall not trouble our read
crs with.
In the House of Representatives 100
members answered to the call of the roll
The first business was the swearing in
of the newly elected members. 4 Ken
lucky delegate approached the stand, when
Gen. Schenck rose TO a point of order He
said he had IN possession the protest of
Samuel Mckee against John Y. Brown be-
ang admitted, and af1idavits that he had
assisted the rebellion Mr.. Etheridce said
he had made similar protest against Mr..
Stokes OF Tenn, when the speaker ruled
the proceeding out Of order, and he hoped
the same course would be pursued now
The speaker said lac had been misunder
stoods saad the clerk proceeded to read the
affldavits. Mr. Logan presented similar
protest against Mr.. Trimble. Mr.. Butler
presented one against Mr.. Knott Mr..
Logan also offered resolution DECLARING
that cit is alleged that several Of the rep
resentatives elected from that State Ky. I
are disloyal," and THAT the credentials of
all the members elect from the State of
Kentucky shall be referred to the Commit
tee on Elections, to report at as early a
day as practicable; and that pending the
report OF said committee none of the said
members shall be allowed to take the oath
OF office, Or be admitted to seats as such -
After a long debate, the resolution was
adopted, except as to Mr.. Adams of the
seventh district. This kills eight Demo-
cratic votes.
- 1t has also been suggested that Mr.. Bar
mum, Democrat, of Connecticut, secured
his own election by fraud.
Here we have an intimation that. acre-
after, no Democrat will be deemed eligible
to seat in Congress, a. least while thew.
the radicals, have the ascendency in Con-
gress. The Committee on Elections will
40 doubt report in favor of the adoption of
Sir. Logan's resolution, and Congress will
adopt it. We forbcar further comment
Every man can fern his own conclusions
as to the justice Of such proceeding.
The report of Messrs. Boutwell,, Will
lams, Thomas and Lawrence, in favor of
impeachment of the President, will oe be-
fore the House in a few days, notwith-
standing the apparent final determination
of Congressman to confne themselves ex-
clusively to the consideration of a supple
mentary act on reconstruction. Why not
reconstruct" the President at once? If
he is an impeachment" in the way of radi-
cal rule. let him be deposed at once. He
has some antiquated notions about econ
stitutional obligations" and the solemnity
of an official oath, that need reforming.