The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1867-03-30
Washington News.


lief Bill for the benefit of the Southern desti-
tutc was discussed. Butler opposed tho Bill in
violent terms, and the debate took q wide
range, and led to some severe remarks between
Mcssrs., Butler and Bingham. Mr.. Bingham
raid he repelled with scorn the uttcrances affect
Ing his integrity or honor from any man,
whether he be the hero of Fort Fisher taken,
or Fort Fisher not taken.
Mr.. Bingham proceeded in dcnunciary
strain amid roars Of laughter and some excite
ncnt.' Y ~ m
Butler rose to reply, but the Committee rose
when Butler appealed for an opportunity to
answer.
Mr.. Eldridge hoped that the House would
not bottle up tho gentleman from Massachu-
sotts, when by unanimous consent he was al
lowed to 60 on.
Butler proceeded, defending himself for
voting for Mr.. Davis he hoped thereby to
save the country He did what he could du-
ring the war, but tho only victim of the gen
tleman's (Binghunl's) prowess that he (Butler)
knew of, was an innocent woman hanged on the
scaffold Butler aludes to Mrs. Surratt in
whose prosecution Bingham was an active man
agcr.
MARCH, 22-In the Senate the following
preamble and resolution was introduced by
Senator Wilson (RalicaD, and ordered to Ll
printed:
Whereas, Jefferson Davis, citizen Of the
State of Mississippi was captured by militia
ry force in the service Of the United States OH
the l til day of May, 1865, and has since been
held in confinement as prisoner OF State in
Fortress Monroe, Va; and whrrcas. the said
Jefferson Davis stands charged, on the highest
authority with the heinous crime of conspiring
to murder the late President Of the United
States, Abraham Lincoln, and is also indicted
for treason and whcrcas, the said Jefferson
Davis has persistently declared his innocence of
the offences charged against him. and through
his legal adviser, by all means known to the
law, has sought and demanded speedy and
public trial by due process of law. before civil
tribunal of competent jurisdiction; therefore,
Rcsolccd by the Senate the House Of Repre-
seniatircs roncmring, That the longer confne-
ment Of the said Jefferson Davis without trial.
or the assignment Of IL specific time for trial,
is not in accordance with the demands Of JUS
ticc the spirit OF the law and the requirements
Of the Constitution, and that common justice,
sound public policy and the national honor
unite in recommending that the said Jefferson
Davis be brought to speedy and public trial,
or that he be released from confinement on
bail, or on his own rccogniZancc.
In the House the Relief Bill Was passed. 1t
authorizes the Secretary Of War, through the
Frccdmcn's Bureau, to furnish food to all
classes sufficient to prevent starvation and ex-
trcme want. The relief is to come from uncx-
pended moneys Of the freedmen and refugee
appropriations, and the expenditure shall not
extend beyond the appr priations already made.
The Senate bill authorizing the Secretary Of
War to issue arms to twenty-five hundred Ten
nesscc militia was amended, making the num-
bcr ton thousand, and passed. Adjourned.
The Senate concurred i'll the House amend
ment furnishing 10000 stands of arms to the
Tennessee militia.
The amendment to the Southern Relief Bill
was also concurrcd i'll, and it goes to the Prcsi-
dent.
MARCH 23.-Thc President returned the
Supplemental bill with his objections The
bill provides for an election in ten States for
tho purpose of making constitutions; but all
elections, while the original bill remains in
force, come within its restrictions. Preimina-
~ to elections, comes registration. Unrcgis-
tered citizens cannot vote. The preliminary to
registration is vague oath, that the applicane
is not disfranchised by participation in the re-
belion, which requires that the applicant for
registration must decide for himself There is a
fearful responsibility, for though the bill does
not assign perjury, nor fix penalty for mis-
taken swearing, he must not forget that mar
shal law prevails, and that the applicant is re-
sponsible to the military commissions, without
previous prcsentment by grand juries, the mill
tary commanders determining what is an Of
fence and prescribing the punishment. The
fourth section provides that the military COM
mandcr shall appoint the necessary Boards Of
Registration, each consisting of three loyal
persons, who may be military officers or citi-
zens of the State, or strangers, exercising i'm
portant functions and vested with unlimited
i