Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-12-17
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

WA Z 0OO-IA1AAAsCS
TUESDAY, Dec. 1O-In the Senate resolutions
were adopted calling for information as to the
bonds issued to the Union Pacific Railroad
Company and the remaining correspondence in
relation to the Alabama claims Considerable
discussion ensued on Mr.. Wilson's bill relative
to voting OH the constitutional amendment IN
the Southern Conventions, which was interrupt
ed by the expiration of the morning hour. The
resolution condemning portions Of the Presl-
dents Message was taken up, and Mr.. Drake
made long speech on it, when the Senate
adjourned.
In the House the Committee on Reconstruc-
ton, with Mr. sI Stevens as Chairman, was an
nounced The Confscation bill, which, on the
10th Of March last had been postponed to the
second Tuesday in December, was then taken
up, and Messrs. CHAMBER and Eldrdge made
speeches against It, 1t was finally further post
poned to 2lst OF January. A concurrent resolu-
ton tor an adjournment over the holidays was
adopted, and the House soon after adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. lin the Senate, a re-
solution directinga select committee of the two
houses to equallze the pay and reduce the num-
Der of employees of each house was adopted. A
bill declaring the acts of the late rebel govern
ment null and void was referred to the Com
mittee on the Judiciary Considerable debate
ensued on the bill directing that certain money
accrulng from the sale ofcaptured or abandoned
property shall be paid into the Treasury, and
the subject was finally postponed until to-day.
The adjournment resolution OF the House was
read and laid over. Mr.. Morrill, bill to raise
the value Of legal tender notes to par was taken
up, and Mr. Morrill, made speech in its favor.
Further consideration was then postponed until
Friday and the Senate adjourned.
In the House Mr.. Julian, under leave to make
personal explanation, spoke in favor Of the
impeachment of the President Several other
personal explanations of a like character were
also permitted. A bill providing that brevets
shall only be conferred in time of war and for
gallant conduct was passed. A bill providing
for the restoration Of cashiered officers only by
confirmation of the Senate was referred back to
the Committee on Military Affairs In Com
mittee of the Whole, Mr. Washburne, made a
speech against paying for the new possessions
in the Northwest and the West Indies, and Mr.
BroUmall, on the question Of the payment Of
five twenty bonds in gold Or currency. Soon
after the House adjourned.
THURSDAY, Dec. I'm the Senate, Mr..
Sherman reported the House bill repeating the
cotton tax. It will be considered tomorrow :
The bill turning the proceeds of the sale Of cap
tured or abandoned property into the Treasury
was resumed. Mr.. Fossenden said the amount
was $3.50, 900, 900, bat opposed the bill There
are clainls now pending in the Court Of Claims
for 500, O0O 600 worth of this property to which
this bill would work injustice The bill was
postponed The joint resolution censuring the
President was resumed, Reverly johnson hav-
|. ing. the floor. The Senate refused to concur in
the House resolution to adjourn on the Goth
until the bill striking out ''white' from the
District laws becomes a law.
In the House, the Committee on Roads and
Canals was instructed to inquire into the pro-
Of no tnIi
Of the Ohio on the Indiana side. The Commit
tee. Of Ways and Means was instructed to in
quUe'i into the expectancy Of taxing crests and
coats Of arms worn on household furniture -
| Ashley Of Ohio, offered bill relating to the
Freedmen's Bureau Referred Also, a bill
on the reconstruction Of the Southern States.
A resolution deterring the payment Of bonds Of
1877 and 1918, due in 1868, until the finances
are equalized, was referred.
Mr.. Maynard offered a resolution providing
| that the diplomatic and consular representatives
to IIayti and other African governments be Sc
| lected from negroes. Referred to Committee
Of order on the resolution that under the Con
stitution 80 distinction in races could he made
The Speaker said the point OF order was we'll
taken.
= A resolution was adopted urging the reduc-
ton Of the army to the smallest possible force
The Committee Of Ways and Means was in
structed to inquire into the expedlency Of de-
stroyng spirits seized for frauds on the revenue,
and Of removing the tax from incomes not ex-
ceeding 81, 500. The House went into Com
nttee Of the Whole. Adjourned.
FRIDAY, Dec. 13-In the Senate Mr.. Wilson
presented a petition from John Warner, an
American citizen now in jail in England, charged
with Fenianisln, alleging that he was in New
York when the crime with which he is charged
was committed.
Mr. Sumner presented petition from 80, 900
negro soldiers Of Kentucky, praying equalization
Of boUnties.
A memorial from the New York Chamber of
Commerce relative to the resumption Of specie
payment was ordered to be printed.
The bill repeating he cotton tax came up
Mr.. Morrill, thought it was a great mistake to
act on this bill now The whole tax question
should come up at once. Mr.. johnson gave
notice Of an amendment. applying the bill to
this year S crop The bill was postponed.
The resolution adjourning from December
Doth to January 9th was passed
| Several financial bills were presented and re-
ferred, and after an Executive session, the Sen
ate adjourned to Monday
House-The House, after some unimportant
business, went into committee ofthe whole, and
adjourned till Monday.
For the SPECTATOR