Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-01-16

ferred, respecting the tariff and currency. The
Senate passed the bill requiring the Commis-
missioners, appointed under a previous act Of
Congress providing compensation to loyal own
ers of slaves when the slaves were taken into
the military service of the United States, to
report to Congress and not to the President.
The veto was received and read, and the suff-
rage bill passed over it. The Nebraska bill
was discussed without action.
In the House, the impeachment resolutions
occupied the larger part of the time after the
morning hour.
Tuesday, in the Senate, Mr.. Edmuuds pre-
sented petition against the curtailment of the
currency or return to specie payment. He.
however, said he disagreed with the petitioners.
resolution was adopted asking the President
if he knew of any violations of the Civil Rights
act, and if so, if he bad taken any steps to
enforce the law. The Nebraska bill was iur-
her discussed, Senator E1munds participating
in the debate.
The House refused to adjourn to celebrate
the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans,
but occupied its time to much better purpose
in passing the Distric. suffrage bill over the
Veto IL afterward passed the following bill:
An Act to explain and enforce the thirteenth
States.
Whereas, the Constitution of the United
States, at the second session of The Thirty
eighth Congress. proposed to the several states
| for adoption the thirteenth amendment to the
Constitution of the United States, which has
now, by the rattle alton Of three-fourths Of the
| states Of the Union, became par. Of the Con-
sttutlon, and which by Its terms forever pro-
| nibits slavery or involuntary servitude, d" ex-
cept punishment for crime whereof the
party shall have been duly Convicted = and
Whereas, In some parts of this Union it is
ted and maintained that, notwithstand iug
saio amendment, it is lawful to sell or other
wise commit into unofficial subsection to slav-
cry persons who may be convicted Of otfenses
against the law, by reason whereof certa 10
inferior tribunals have adjudged free citizens of
, the United States 10 be 60 disposed OF as to
establish chattel alavery for life for years,
| against the principles of the Christian religion,
OF CIVILIZATION, aud OF the Constitution OF the
United States, which now recognizes no iDvol-
| un;ary servitude, except TO the law and TO
the officers OF lis administration now, there
fore,
Be 1t enacted, etc, That any person or per-
sons who shall hereafter sell offer for sale,
or attempt 10 sell, any person or persons
whomsoever, within the limits of the United
States, or who shall make or issue any order
for such sale, or who shall hereafter hold in
servitude any person SO sold, shall be guilty of
| felony, and shall. on conviction thereof, be
| IMPRISONED for period OF time not exceeding
two years, or fined in sum not exceeding ten
thousand dollars, or both, in the discretion OF
the court by which such offender shall be
tried.
| In the Senate, Wednesday, action was taken
| upon the Nebraska DILL. The amendment of
Senator Brown that the state should not be
admitted until the people of Nebraska had
gwen equal rights 10 all the inhabitants,
voted down. Senators Edmunds and Poland
voted for it. Mr.. Edmunds then otfered this
amendment
| Sec. l. That this act shall take effect with
the fundamental and perpetual condition that
within the said state OF Nebraska theIe shall
be no abridgement of the exercise ofthe elective
| franchise, or of any other rights, to any person
by reason OF r-ce or color, excepting Indians
| not taxed.
| Mr.. Wade said he hoped the friends of the
bill would vote for this amendment. 1t was
| disagreed to, yeas Is, nays IS.
| Subsequently the bill taken out Of Com
n,ittee OF the Whole into the Senate, and the
amendment inst voted down adopted by
yeas 20, nays Is. The Question was then OF
| the passage Of the bill amended, and It was
passed "a to Is.
| Inc bill admitting Colorado was afterwards
passed with the same amendment.
| 10 the House little business OF IN Iorta nee
WAS tIansac ed.
The Senate, Thursday. passed the bill pro-
viding for the assembling OF The Forteth Con-
gress on The of March next Senator'S p
land and Edmunds favoring the measure.
Inc Senate also passed an act prohibiting the
denial OF suffrage, in any territory, to any per
| son on account of race color. Mr.. Edmunds
called up the bill regulating the tenure of office
and the mode of appointment The bill pro-
vldes that eli officers appointed BY and with
| tie advice and consent OF the Senate,-excep,
! heads of Departments-shall hold their Offices
until their successors in like manner ap-
pointed The bill also provides that in Certain
cases of malteassnce in office The President
may remove officer during the recess of Con-
grtss- There was animated discussion. 10
| which Senator Edmubds took prominent
part and 10 the course OF the debate Senator
Reverdy Johnson said he thought the Presi-
dent had violated the Constitution in appoinnt-
ins to office persons once rejected by the Sen
ale. No action was taken upon the bill.
the House concurred with the Senate in the
bill to make suffrage impartial in the terrific
next Congress on the 4th Of Ha,ch. The bill
admitting Nebraska. as passed by the Senat-
came up, and it was found 10 have a very
strong opposition, the grouod that il really
left the whole question OF suffrage TO the state.
Pending debate upon it the House adjourned
10 the Senate, Friday, a petition was pre-
sented from the loyal citizens of Arkansas for
the overthrow of the present dis.oyal govern
ment of that state. The bill regulating the
tenure of tfice was further discussed, ana an
amendment offered by Mr.. Einunds, provid-
ing for the punishment of those violating the
provisions the bill, adopted. Mr. Ed
munds, in response to charge made by Dem
cratic Senators, said the bill was not partisan
in its charact ter, but was only an attempt to
restore the different departments OF the
government their proper functions. After ex-
ecuiIve session the Senate adjourned.
10 the House substitute for the North
Carolina reconstruction bill was reported and
ordered printed Various petitions we're pre-
sented in respect to the tariff. A spirited de-
bate spraDg up 10 respect TO Commissioner
Newton Of the Agricultural Department, in
which Mr.. Morrill, OF this Sta'e sharply crti-
cised that functionary.
Saturday the Senate was not in SESSION.
In the House the Nebraska bill was again
put aside for other business. Commissioner
Newton, of the Agricultural Bureau. was dis
cussed in connection with the origin Of the
Irish potato. 1t was not settled whether he was
fit to be Commissioner. nor whether the fore
said potato orig mated in Pennsy vania or the
West Indies. Resolutions In relation to the
nd pet Fl 6,,fias