Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-12-18
Abstract Of the IlO1ngs of Congress
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On Wednesday, the 10th inst, in the
Senate, Mr.. SUMNER introduced a res0lu-
tion, which was agreed to, calling on the
President for copies of all correspondence
touching the depredations on Federal COM
merce by vessels built and owned in Eng
land.
Mr.. Cole, of California, introduced bill
making greenbacks receivable in payment
of all taxes and all other demands against
the United States, except custom house
duties and interest on bonds, when the
same is payable in coin. Referred to the
Finance committee.
On the subject of the Negro Constitutions
In the South, Mr.. DooLTTTLE offered an
amendment that any person (Negro) who
served in the United States army for one
year or more, can read the Constitution
and write his name, or who has freehold
estate in his own right of the value of $3.50,
shall be allowed a vote. WILSON and
STEWART made speeches against it.
MIR. DRAKE's resolution censuring the
President for taking an anti-radical view of
matters in his message was then taken up
and debated.
In House, Mr.. BUcKLAND, of Ohio, in
troduced an additional bounty bill. The
question of land grants to States for rail-
road purposes was then taken up and de-
bated. This was followed by a debate
on confiscation, which was finally post
poned until the 18th of January, next.
A resolution to adjourn from December
Goth to January 9Th, was then agreed to.
Mr.. INGERsoLL wanted to offer resolu-
ton relative to putting into circulation
S13a 167, 800 now in the Treasury, but Mr..
GARFIELD objected, which objection pre-
vented it.
On Thursday the 11th, Mr.. SUMNER pre-
sented the petition OF 10000 Kentucky me-
groes, for Congress to give them the right
to vote. ~
| Mr.. MORRILL, then made long speech on
the bill to raise the value of greenbacks to
gold. -
The House passed the bill providing that
brevet commissions shall only be issued in
time of war, and not then except for dis
tinguished services in the field.
Mr.. WAsHBURNE then made long speech
against paying the Russian Government
for the territory recently acquired from it.
Mr.. BRoMALL, of Pa, made a speech in
favor of paying the $50 bonds in green
backs, and was followed by Gen. BUTLER
for and WAsHBURNE against it.
On Friday, the 18th, in Senate. the day
was consumed by members in making
speeches against the President-DRAKE's
resolution censuring him for the matter of
| hain fbo cfo ri
In House. the committee on Commerce
| was instructed to inquire into the causes
of the depression in ship building.
MIR. BROOKS offered resolution calling
for copies of all general orders promulgated
by military commanders in the South.
Mr.. GETz wanted an inquiry made as to
whether, in view of the recent elections, in
Boston and Pittsburgh, the States in which
they are situated have Republican forms of
Government.
On Saturday, the 18th, in the Senate, the
tax on raw cotton was largely debated and
the bill was then postponed in order to dis
cuss the legal tender proposition OF Mr.
MORRILL,.
In House, Mr.. KERR offered a resolution
instructing the committee on Ways and
Means to inquire into the expedency of
to exempt from payment OF the stamp
duty all official bonds executed to or for
the use of religious, charitable or benevo-
lent societies. Adopted.
The House went into committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union, Mr..
FARNswoRTH in the chair, for general de-
bate.
Mr.. VAN TRUMP, of Ohio, spoke in con-
demnation of the late impeachment pro-
ject, Mr.. LAWRENCE defending it.
Mr.. WOODWARD made brief argument
on the law of impeachment, arguing that
the word misdemeanor, as used in the Con-
stitution, means not a violation of law, but
misconduct in Office, knowingly done to
the prejudice of the public or of individ-
uals.
Mr.. GARFIELD, of Ohio, inquired whether,
if the President were not defended by some
law defining Constitutional misdemeanor,
he was not at the mercy of two-thirds of
the Senate, who might declare him guilty
of misdemeanor in Office without regard to
common law or common sense.
Mr.. WOODWARD held that every officer
of the Government held his office subject
to impeaching power, and remarked that
there was much more danger of corrupt
officials remaining unimpeached than there
was of men who had been faithful in office
being impeached.
The committee rose and the House ad-
jurned until Monday.
In Senate, on Monday, December 16,
Mr.. DAVIS introduced resolution to
establish tribunal to whom constitutional
questions arising between the United States
and State Governments may be referred.
Tabled.
Mr.. VAN WINKLE introduced bill to
provide for an apportionment of national
bank capital among the different States aud
Territories and the District OF Columbia.
Mr.. EDMUNDs introduced bill to pro-
vide for mode of taxation of national
banks.
The bill to repeal the cotton tax was
taken up and opposed by Mr.. Morrill,, of
VT, who moved, as an am endment to ex-
empt foreign cotton after April, 1868.
Mr.. WILLIAMS gave notice of an amend
ment that no cotton remaining unsold shall
be taxed, and no tax OH cotton heretofore
levied shall ever be refunded.
After debate, Mr.. CoSKLIN moved to
80 amend the bill as to make it applicable
only to the year 1868.
In House, bill was introduced by Mr..
WILLIAMS, of Indiana, to pay the balance
of the bounty to non-commissioned officers
honorably mustered out.
By Mr.. HOOPER, of Massachusetts,, to