Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-12-19
FROM WASHINGTON.


" AnhANH AAEH DaHNAAA1A - -RA-
In the Senate to-day a number of bills
were introduced. Among them was one
by Mr.. Davis, to establish a tribunal 70
determine constitutional questions, which
was laid on the table and D BY Mr..
Van Wrinkle, for an equal distribution OF
National bank capital among the States,
according TO population.
Mr.. Edmands introduced q BILL which
was referred to the COMMITTEES on tt-
nance. providing that the National banks
in the several States and Territories, aud
the shareholders therein, shall be subject
10 state, Territorial and municipal taxa
lion. in such form, q at such places as
shRii be pruvided for the taxation Of Estate
or Territorial banks, or mOneyed cOTp0T-
/ alton. or shareholders thereof, by the
laws Of said State or Territory.
At II o'clock the bill TO repeal the cot
ton tax came up, and was debated the
remainder Of the session.
Mr.. Morton offered an amendment,
fixing the tax at one cent per pound.
Mr.. Johnson offered an amendment,
the effect of which would be 10 make
the repeal OF the tax apply to the LAST
crop where it Is still in the hands Of the
producer.
In The course OF the debate, Mr.. Nor
! rill, Of Vermont, took strong ground
against the repeal.
Mr.. Fesseuden took the same position.
Messrs. johnson, Williams, sherman
and Wilson advocated the repeal. No
action was taken.
There is more opposition to the repeal
than was expected.
The leading features Of the proceed
ings Of the House to-day were as fol-
lows:
MI. Hooper introduced a bill enacting
that q yesr from it. passage, il shall
be unlawful for any person, association
or corporation TO issue, pay or in aGy
manner nut in circulation, any note,
check or other evidence Of debt, designed
or calculated TO circulate as money, ex-
cept such as may be authorized by act
OF Congress, which was referred to the
! Committee on Banking and Currency.
Mr. Benjamin, Of Missouri, offered =
resolution reciting that as the President
had, in defiance Of the popular viii, re-
commended the repeal Of the reeonstruc-
ton laws, he proposed
Tst. That the House Of Representatives
will never consent to take one Tetrogade
step from its advanced position in pro-
tecting all and promoting the cause OF
equal rights.
"a. That the success Of the reeOnstruc-
ton acts, so Ear, gives no reason 70 doubt
/ that under their provisions the restOra-
ton Of the rebel" States will be sue
cessfully carried and accomplished, and
that they will be established on 6
d" loyal basis.
81. That in the Judgment Of the House
there is no necessity for the repeal Of
these laws,
This was passed without debate by a
strictly party vote.
The House wound up the day by con-
sidsring the FIRST appropriation bill OF the
session, and after q spirited debate, voted
down BY six majority al amendment
I giving the clerks in the departments
twenty per cent. increase on their present
nav. The bill as wa originally reported,
then passed.
The Democratic politicians and Con-
Rressmen are discussing among them
selves the best time and place for holding
the next Democratic National COnven-
ton. Some favor Boston, in view Of the
late elections there. Baltimore, st. Louis
and Philadelphia are spoken Of The
Convention viii be held, IL is Thought,
verv soon after the 20th OF May.
Cen. Howard is taking measures to
close up the Freedmen's Bureau next
summer. when It expires by limitation,
unless Congress otherwise provides.
Rum0rs have prevailed hat the Senate
Finance Committee have agreed on 4
new and important financial bill, as a
substitute for the one which passed the
House, prohibiting the contracting OF the
currency. II Is learned, on inquiry, that
the committee have agreed on no bill,
but il seems probable that they will not
~acquiesce IN the House bill, but effect
something Of a compromise with the
policy at the Treasury Department. Il
Is very evident that nothing Will be done
on he question until after the holidays.
The President received to-day, q long
petition signed byseverai hundred citizens
Il Alabama, setting forth that several
members of the Reconstruction COnYen-
tfoa IN that State were nOn-residents Of
Alabama that others were elected in
counties where they did not and do not
reside, and that some were selected from
the employees of the Freedmen's Bureau
without legal qualification for members
Of the Convention. The petitioners ask
that the facts be made known, and an
investigation into the truthfulness Of the
alleged allegation in their petitions.
The President has prepared and will
send to Congress, to- morrow or next day,
an important snd extraordinary message
relative to one OF the district command
eEb IL the coubuy anu tic po4lCy WHICH
he has pursued in Enforcing the Recon.
structiOn laws. It will especially com
mend his course, and ask that Congress
make some recognition Of one who, the
President says, has earnestly ~inaugarated
the reign of civil law, and given 10 The
Citizeus Of the Stale in oBe Of these mil
itary districts the privilege Of the writ Of
hG6eGS corpus, the possession Of their
local, civil Ad State courts, aud the free
dom Of the press.
The District Commander to whom the
Executive desires to give such prOmi-
hence, and whose course he 50 fatter-
ingly approves, is Gen. Hancock His
first order, on assuming cOmuaRd Of the
5th Military District, is the cause Of this
message TO Congress.
The document is completed, and its
presentation 70 that body is likely to ere
ate some sensation. 1t is looked upon
By those in the confidence Of the Admin
istrstion rs the commencement of 3 new
policy, to be followed in the other Mill
tary Districts by the removal Of Gems.
Pope and Candy, and the appointment
Of Generals whose views agree with
those Of the President.