Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-12-20
Congress-.

In the Senate, yesterday, the House bill
amendatory Of the supplementary Reconstruct.
ton acts, was read and referred to the Judiciary
Committee. A memorial of citizens Of Gin
cinnati asking the adoption of measures dehn-
ing the rights Of an American citizen when
abroad, and calling attention to the treatment
Of American citizens by Great Britain, elected
some discussion. Mr.. Sumner intlmated that
the Committee on Foreign Relation would dis
charge their duty inthe matter, and MIR. John
son thought that negotiations would be neces.
sary. Mr.. Connrss believed that the President
had full power,to protect American citizens,
and that it should be exercised, and that the
release of those at present confined 10 British
prisons should be demanded. The memorial
was referred. The Congressional Deficiency
Appropriation bill was agreed to- Mr. Buck
aew offered an amendment making the pro
vision that members of Congress should receive
no more than 1925 per annum tor newspapers
and stationery, apply only to members OF the
House. Some discussion ensued with regard
to the expense incurred in this way, and the
amendment was voted down. motion to
strike out the whole section so that nothing
shall be allowed was adopted, and the bill
passed. y
In the House of Representatives yesterday,
Mr.. Boyer (Democrat) asked leave to offer a
Joint resolution rendering the thanks OF Con,
gress to Gen. Hancock tor his support OF civil
law Objection being made, leave was not
granted The bill granting honorable dis
charges to certain soldiers, and repeating the
law which DISTINGUISHES deserters, was amend
ed so that the repeal shall not benefit those
who deserted the army and went over to the
South. The repeal Of the law was advocated
and discussed, and the bill referred back to the
Military Committee. The President was re-
quested to furnish to the House all papers and
correspondence relating to the purchase OF Rus
sian America, and the correspondence with the
Russian Mini ter at Washington Resolutions
reaues ing the Secretary OF War to inform the
House what officers Of The army are employed
in the civil departments at Washington and
how employed, and ale whar employees he has
dismissed from the War De- artment, tn II
salaries, and why dismissed, what amount Of
property he has disposed Of &C., were referred.
The House being in COMMITTEES OF the Whole
on the bill to supply Deficiencies in approprla-
atoms for carrying out the Reconstruction acts,
Nr. Boyer again attempted to offrr rosOlu
ton Of thanks to Geoeral Hancock, hut was
ruled out of order Mr. Butler stated that
Gen. Ord had expended more IN his district
than Generals Pope, SchofeId or Cauty had
in theirs, and that between Ord and Sheridan
the balance was in favor of the latter. The
same member also exhibited an account OF
money spent by the city authorities of New Or
leans during the riot i'll that city, and made q
few remarks on the behavior OF the colored
people at the South. Mr.. Lawrence, Of Ohio,
offered an amendment authorizing the expen,
ses of the Southern State Conventions to be
repaid by taxes on property, but the amend,
ment was ruled out of order. The bill was
then passed-yeas 81, nays IS. The Commit
tee on Elections reporting that Mr.. Cleavcl
had the prinaa .facie right to his seat. he was
sworn in as delegate from New Mexico =
Mr. E'dridge gave notice that he would to-day
introduce resolution of thanks to Genera
Hancock. The Committee on Military Affairs
was directed to iDquirh into the expectancy OF
retaining the Veteran Reserve Corps in the ser
vice. A message from the President, with a
report from the Secretary Of State in referenc:
to obtaining testimony abroad in regard OF
the assassination of President Lincoln, was
referred to the Judiciary Committee.