Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-06-16
CONGRESSIONAL

SENATE. ednesday, June lO-The Com
mittec on Post Offices reported the bill to amend
the act to provide for the carrying of mails be-
tween the ports of the United States. 1t re-
sends the section which imposes the prepay
ment OF letter postage on newspapers sent be-
tween the States and the Territories west of
Kansas except on newspapers sent from the
ONCE OF publication to regular subscribers.
After considerable discussion the bill was pass
ed-yeas Sc, nays II. A bill for the reorganiza-
ton, government and payment Of the army was
introduced and referred to the Committee on
Military Affairs. The committee of conference
on the Naval Appropriation bill made report.
The committee recommended that the pro-
vision struck out by the Senate be restored that
the master mechanics shall be appointed from
civil lite and that the civil engineers aud naval
storekeepers at the different navy yards shall
be appointed by the President, subject to con-
frmation by the Senate The report was con-
Cured IN, and the bill for the admission Of
North Carolina and other States was taken up.
An amendment to the third section was adopted
providing that the State officers shall be Install
ed without delay, and that no one shall be al
lowed to hold Office who is not eligible under
the l4th amendment to the Constitution. "A
vote was taken on the amendment including
Alabama In the bill, and it was agreed to. At
8. Is T. NJ a motion to adjourn was made and
voted down. After some further discussion the
bill passed-yeas 81, nays 5. The Senate then,
at 10. 80 P. NJ, adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The Com
mittee of Ways and Means reported bill pre-
pared by sub committee of said committee to
increase the revenues from duties on imports
and to equalize exports and imports. 1t was
ordered to be printed and referred to the Ways
and Means Committee. The Committee on
Reconstruction reported bill to relieve from
political disability W. NJ. Harris aud James r.
Berry, of Arkansas the former Justice elect to
the Supreme Court and the latter Auditor elect
of the State After some discussion the bill
was passed by two thirds vote. A bill was
passed authorizing the Postmaster General to
contract with the Commercial Transportation
Company of the State of New York for the
transportation of mails and emigrants between
New York and Bremen. Mr.. Phelps, of Mary
land, while the bill was under discussion, desired
to offer an amendment to include in its pro-
visions the Baltimore and Havana Steamship
line, but was not allowed to do so. Mr.. Butler
desired to make motion to postpone further
consideration of the Tax bill until December
next. A motion to go into Committee of the
Whole was, however, pending, on which vote
was taken and it was decided in the affirmative
by yeas SO to nays 81. This is regarded as an
expression of the desire of the House to con-
tinue the consideration of the bill The Tax
bill was then taken up and discussed until a. 80
T. M. when recess was taken.
Ecening Session -The House met at 100
p M. and the discussion of the Tax bill was
resumed, A number of amendments were a.
dopted, and the House adjourned at TO- TO-
SENATE. Thursday, June 1lth-A bill was
passed allowing officers and soldiers discharged
from the United States service to wear the
badge of the corps in which they served during
the war on public occasions. The bill for the
relief of certain naval contractors was taken up
amended, and passed. The Committee on Com.
merce reported bill making Cambridge, Mary
land, port of delivery Mr.. Sumner made a
motion to consider the vote by which thhe ON
nibus Reconstruction bill was passed, and Mr..
Yates delivered speech in which he claimed
that Congress had perfect control over the ques-
ton Of suffrage in all the States, North and
South. After Mr.. Yates had concluded his ad
dress MIR. Summers motion was withdrawn
The bill to continue the Freedmen S Bureau for
another year was taken up. After considerable
discussion on this bill, bill in relation to con
tested elections in the city of Washington was
introduced and passed. The bill removing the
political disabilities from Roderick r. Butler OF
Tennessee was taken up and passed by vote
of yeas % to nays s. The Senate then adjourn
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, "A bill was
passed incorporating the National Hotel. Com
pany of Washington, D. G. A statement of
MIR. H. L. Merrick was read correcting certain
assertions made in debate by Mr. Butler. A bill
Incorporating the National Art Union of Wash
ington was taken up, amended and laid on the
table. A resolution was passed directing in
quiry to be made as to the alleged extension of
the term of imprisonment of Rev. John Me-
Mahon by the Canadian authorities because a
newspaper published in the United States had
been found In his possession. Mr. Ashley, of
Ohio, asked leave to offer resolution directing
General r. K. Scott, Governor elect of South
Carolina, to offer rewards for the apprehension
of the perpetrators of certain murders of loyal
persons alleged to have been committed in that
State Objection was made and it went over.
The bill for the protection of American com
MERGE was made the special order for Wednes-
day next. The House, in Committee of the
Whole, resumed the discussion of the Tax bill
and number OF sections were disposed Of On
motion of Mr.. Butler it was unanimously de.
custody, he having appeared before the Inves.
tigation Committee and answered all questions
asked. The bill passed by the Senate for, the
admission of North Carolina and other States
were referred to the Committee on Reconstruct
ton. The House then adjourned.
SENATE Friday, June l2th.-The Commit.
tee on Foreign Relations reported joint reso.
luton requesting the President to use all good
Offices in securing the release of Father Nc
Mahon, imprisoned in Canada for Fenianism.
The consideration of Sherman financial bill
was resumed The discussion was quite sharp
The main topic of discori is the twenty mil
lions increase in banking capital for the West
and South. Without taking vote, the Senate
went into executive session.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, The bill for
the relief of E. j. Macky, Of South Carolina,
was referred to the Reconstruction committee.
The Reconstruction bill, as reported by the
Senate, was reported. A motion to exclude
Florida was defeated by vote of 90 to "A, and
the bill passed-ayes Ill, noes 2S
A large number of private bills were passed,
when the night session was again colored, and
House adjourned.
The great and paramount issue is: SHALL
NEGROES or WHITE MEN RULE VIR-