The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-07-16
FROM WASHINGTON.
CONGRESS.
fridays PROCEEDINGS.

On the assembling of the Senate, Mr.. Chandler
asked leave to call up tho resolution offered by
him few days since, directing the Committee on
Foreign Relations to inquire how many Mexican
prisoners Of war had been shot after capture under
the decree OF Maximilian Of October, 1865, and
made lengthy speech on tho subject. He de-
nounced Macmillan, and said he should have been
hung instead OF shot. He also denounced the
Secretary Of State, who, he said, had given aid to
Maxmihan by permitting him to buy arms in this
country. Mr.. Fowler took tho same ground, call
ing the Archduke royal fllibustcr. Mr. johnson
was opposed to the resolution, and believed that
the decree for which Maxipulian was reviled was
issued by the French Commanders. Mr.. Nye IA
vored the proposition, and said he always regard
ed Mexico as naturally belonging to the United
States. Ho claimed that Maximiian's interter-
was made.with the view to aid the rebellion. The
further consideration Of the resolution was post
poned. Mr.. Ross offered q resolution relative to
Indian difficulties, which was ordered to be print
ed. Tho Senate then went into Executive ses-
called up the House bill relieving from the
charge of desertion those soldiers who loft their
commands after Lees surrender. Objection was
made, and, after some discussion the Senate de-
clined to consider the bill At 4oclock the Senate
took recess until .7:9O. On reassembling in the
evening the Reconstruction Bill as il passed the
House, was received and read. Mr. Trumbull OBJ
jected to some Of the amendments, and moved the
reference of the bill to the Judiciary Committee.
immediate action on the amendments and others
desiring Conference Committee. A motion to
non-concur in the House amendments, aid asking
for Committee Of Conference, was finally agreed
TO- Mr. Sumner called up his Universal Suffrage
Bill, which was read at length. After lengthy
debate the Senate, by vote, declared the bill not
in order under the rule, and refused to consider it,
and thereupon adjourned:
In the House Mr.. Julian asked leave to intro
duce a resolution directing tho Committee on Re-
construction to report bill declaring forfeited to
the United States all lands granted by Congress
in 1856 to States in the South for railroad pur-
poses, which grants had expired by limitation.
In the course of tho debate which ensued, it
was stated that Northern loyal. men were deeply
interested In Southern railroads, and such bill
would operate against them. Tho resolution was
then modified so as to make it ono Of inquiry re-
garding the roads of Mississippi, Alabama, Flori-
da and Louisiana, and, under suspension OF
tho rules, was adopted by vote Of 98 to IS.
Mr.. Butler offered resolution declaring that, in
asmuch as the Government of Louisiana was ille-
gal, no efficient means could be adopted for re-
pairing the levees, and authorizing the District
Commander to issue bonds for the purpose OF OBJ
tanning money for tho prosecution Of such work.
The House refused to suspend the rules, and the
resolution was not received. MIR. Stevens, from
the Reconstruction Committee, reported back the
Reconstruction Bill received, from the Senate
with few amendments, mostly verbal. Among
the new sections reported is ono directing that
mono OF the officers of registration shall pay any
regard to the decisions or directions Of the
Attorney General, or any other officer Of tho Gov
ernment, except as directed by Congress. Mr..
Robinson made lengthy speech in opposi-
ton to the bill. Mr.. Logan spoke in favor Of it,
as did also Mr.. Farnsworth and others. Mr.. Ste
vens finally moved the previous question on the
bill and the amendments, and tho House seconded
the motion. Mr.. Stevens did not avail himself of
his privilege to close tho debate, but called for
votes on the several amendments The one referr-
ing to the Attorney General was so modified as to
direct that commanding officers of military dis
tricts and boards Of registration shall not bo con-
trolled by the opinion OF any civil officer of the
United States The other amendments were then
agreed to, the bill was sent back to the Senate,
and the House adjourned. s.y4--&e. II
At tbt evening session n motion prevailed asking
the Secretary OF War what approximations were en- ne
Reconstruction Bill was reported back from the
Senate. committee Of conference was appointed
and the House adjourned. s l..u .fv'