The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-07-16
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, July IL.
AENATE.

Mr. Sherman took seat In the Cuaii
and presented an invitation to The Sem
ate to attend the dedication ceremonies
at the Aatietam cemetery, on the lHh,
after the Executive session.
- The Senate took up the House joint
resolution appropriating sl,G15,OOo TO
carry ont the reconstruction acts, was
considered and amended, on motion OF
Mr. Buckalew, by reducing the amount
to 81 900, 600 and passed.
The House bill for the relief OF GER
tain soldiers and sailors charged Win
desertion, was debated, and referred 10
the Military committee.
The Chair laid before the Senate a
communication from the Presideht,
transmitting all orders, opinions, &C,
sent to the district commanders, anu
estimating the amount necessary 10
carry out the work of reconstruction.
Mr. Howard, after referring to that
norton of the message in which the
President alludes to the assumption by
the United States of the debt OF the
rebel States, incurred before the war,
said il was all moOnshine, designed Tor
party purposes.
MIR. Hendricks said the President had
not expressed any opinion on that sub
iect, but merely made q suggestion
whether, if the Southern States were
to be treated as conquered provinces,
the UEited States would have to assume
the debt of these States. This doctrine
had been laid by Governor Morton.
Mr.. Eldridge submitted 4 resolution
reciting an allegation in the Cincinnati
Commercial, that the expenses for wines
and LIQUORS consumed ut IL banquet Civ
en- to the loyal portion of Congress last
winter, are unpaid, declaring they
should at once be paid out of the funds
raised for evangelizing the colored
race, now in the hands of the Reprbli-
can Executive Committee. Laughter
greeted this resolution and it was re-
jected.
Mr.. Sumner said that as the question
of law was nothing save that rebel
States wero responsible for ALL their
inst debts. The States still existed and
their lust obligations inhered in them
and could not be evaded.
Mr.. Johnson thought it was not ad'
missable for the President To express 4
hypothetical opinion on the subject OF
public finance ut the present time, when
the debt was sc large and the people sc
sensitive. On the subject of its in
crease he did not believe the President
correct in his assumptions the Southern
States still existed as States and not as
conquered provinces.
Mr.. Hendricks did not think the gov
eminent OF the United States could
rightfnlly be bound to pay the debts oil
the Southern States contracted before
the war. The object of the war a>
avowed by Congress was not the con
Quest of these States, hut the suppress.
sion of the rebellion. In the event,
however of tie entire absorption of the
States by the Federal government, il
would be practical question of great
Importance why these State.obligations
would not rest on the general govern
ment.
Mr.. Howard again took the floor IL
opposition tn the views in the PreSl-
dents message which he said was calcn
lated to alarm the capitalists al ov,
the country.
Mr.. Wilson said this message was in
perfect keeping with the action OF the
President during the last two years,
The President had during that time
lost no occasion to allnde to the bonded
aristOcracy and say what he could in
disparasement of Congress and every
thing connected with its policy of re-
construction. The policy of Congress
would increase the value of the nation
al debt and debt of the rebel States.
Mr.. Fessenden was glad the message
met with no response or endorsement
in the Senate. He regretted that the
President had sent in such document
it might have bad effect were it not
that all Intelligent people would see
through its fallacieS.
Mr.. Buekalew denied that the Presi'
dent favored the assumption of the
rebel debt. He was simply suggesting
that upon the theory and doctrines
which prevailed lately in Congress
such state of facts must he brought
about.
Mr.. Thayer condemned the position
of the President rs asserted in the mes
sage as another attempt to throw al
obstacle in the way of reconstruction.
He thought the Senate should treat il
with the utmost indifference.
The message was ordered printed.
Adjourned.
HnusE nv N = ID 4. n EST tTEGES