Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-07-17
aloIttical.
CONGRESS

1RANAHiALfNDs
In the House, July s. Mr. Adams, Representa-
tive elect from the Sth district of Kentucky, who
was not included in the number opposed and re-
ferred to the committee on elections, was qualified
and took his seat.
The Speaker proceeded to call the States for
bills and joint resolutions.
Under the call for bills and Joint resolutions
were introduced, read twice ael REFEREED
BY Mr., Bhdwin-Concerning the deverance
OF the Republic of Mexico from its foreign enc
mics. To the COMMITTEES on foreign affairs.
BY Mr. Brooks-Decllrug that the governments
or people that execute in cold blood prisoners of
who should be treated according to the laws
Of war, have so violated the great principles of
national laws as well as Of christianity and human
ity as to deserve from the United States none of
the protection given by It's neutrality laws, and
directing the committee on foreign affairs in both
Houses TO report bill repeating much OF the
neutrality laws as forbid organization in the Unit
ell States OF emigration or other parties to effect
and secure a settlement in Mexico. To the COM
mi,tee on foreign affairs.
BY Mr.. Mer-To repeal the bankruptcy act.
To the judiciary committee
BY Mr.. Wood-A Joint resolution in reference
to MeXicau affairs, requesting the committee on
foreign affairs in the Senate and House, to inquire
into aud report what action should be taken by
the government of the United States. in view Of
the forcible abduction of Santa Anna from an
AuNTiIdh NtHnf ny NlrNithu lOFNtss W blnt ihnls
and whether the existing treaty between the Unit
cd States and Mexico. ans, the law OF nations.
were not violated in that case in such manner
as, together with outrages against the rights and
property of Americans to call for imme late aud
summary action upon the part OF this government.
Referred to committee on foreign affairs.
Mr. Butler asked leave to offer a preamble and
a series of resolutions. The latter were subse-
quently modified by him and the preamble was
Withdrawn The preamble aud resolutions as i'm
ally adopted are as follows:
Whereas, no investigation of all the facts and
circumstances connected with the assassination Of
the late lamented President of the United States
has been had by competent authority tending to
show who were the persons engaged in the con-
spiracy, all its Inducements its objects, its instru-
ments and means of Accomplishment and whereas
such investigation cannot be fully had on account
of the court Of justice trying or more OF the
conspirators on a single issue trammeeG with ques-
tions Of admissibility and the evidence confined to
that issue, therefore,
BE il resolved by the House OF Representatives
of the United States of America. Thata special
committee of five members of the House be ap-
pointed, whose duty il shall be to investigate all
facts and circumstances in connection with the as
sassination Of the late lamente1 President of the
United States, aud to record the facts thereby OBJ
tanned and report the same to the House at any
time with such recommendations as may seem
proper.
BE it further resolved, That such committee, for
the purpose of this investigation, shall have power
TO administer oaths, to send for persons and pa
pers and appoint clerk and stenogrApher and
TO sit during any recess of the House, and that
the expense of such investigation be paid from the
contingent fund of the House.
BE it further resolved That copy Of all the
testimony taken by the committee of the judiciary
of the Thirty-ninth and Fortieth Congresses, and
germane 10 the subject, be referred TO said com
mittee
BE it further resolved, That as the crime to be
investigated is of most heinous and unprecedented
character, and is believed to have included in its
plan aud preparation many persons holding high
positions OF power and authority because of the
civil war, who were acting through inferior per-
sons as their tools and instruments, and as such
persons may be prevented from giving evidence
because Of their liability TO punishment for partic-
ipaton in such conspiracy. therefore, in order to
open all sources OF evidence, the committee be
empowered TO report a bill granting grace and am
nesty, according to parliamentary usages, to any
person having cognzance of such conspiracy, not
already put on trial and convicted Of completely
therein who shall be material and faithful evidence
tending TO bring to light the facts OF said conspir
acy, aud that, in the judgment of the House, no
person in whose favor said report shall be made
ought to be brought to trial on any evidence given
by him TO the committee or such evidence to be
used against such person on any trial.
On suggestion Of Mr. Edridge, the resolution
modified 50 as to call for copies of the ev-
depee taken by the judiciary committee pertaining
to the subject,
After further discussion the previous question
was seconded and the resolutions adopted, the
last on a separate vote by 100 to2l.
The Speaker subsequently, announced the spe-
cial committee as follows:
Messrs. Butler, Shellabargor, Julian, Ward and
Randall.
Mr.. Stevens from the reconstruction committee
reported Supplementary Reconstruction Act.
In Senate. July 3, the Reconstruction bill was
taken up.
Mr. 1rumbull took the floor and addressed the
Senate at length in explanation aud advocacy of
the bill,
Mr. Wilson followed advocating in lieu Of the
second section of the bill provision TO yauate all
civil offices in the South
in the House. MIR Brooks as minority report
of the Reconstruction Committee, addrcssed the
House in opposition TO the bill.
Mr.. Wood then spoke in opposition to the bill.
At the close of Mr., Woods remarks Mr., Stew
ems of Pennsylvania. intimated his intention TO
move the previous question first modifying the
fifth section by striking out the words "or unless
he shall consent to be relieved and inserting
the words or on arrest for an offence punishable
by dismissal from the army or disqualified by sick
ness from performance of his duty"
The House seconded the previous question by a
vote Of 80 to AZ.
/ Mr. Stevens being entitled to one hour to close
the debate he yielded twenty minutes To Mr..
/ Bingham, who addressed the house in support OF
/ the bill In conclusion Mr.. Bingham argued thai
disiranchisement complained OF in the bill wal