Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-12-22
CONGRESSIONAL.

| SENATE. Monday, Dec. 14th.-A commune
cation was received from General Howard ask
ing an investigation of his management OF
Freedmen's Bureau affairs.
MIR. Sumner presented memorial from Color
ed citizens of Georgia complaining of the wrongs
to which their race is exposed in that State and
asking relief; also, one from North Carolina
colored men asking the continuance OF the
Freedmens Bureau.
A petition was presented from West Virginia
asking Congressional aid for the Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad.
A memorial from the Mississippi delegation
Convention p claiming that the Constitution
was adopted by majority of the legal votes
cast, was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Sherman reported bill for constructing
railroad from Washington to Cincinnati
Mr.. Morton introduced his financial bill,
providing that after July l, 1871, the Treasury
shall redeem legal tenders and fractional cur
rency, and after January l, 1872, the national
banks shall redeem their issues in gold.
A bill was introduced increasing the number
of associate justices of the Supreme Court Of
the United States to fourteen and changing the
circuits.
Mr.. Stewart introduced bill making the
holding of Office contrary to the fourteenth
amendment felony against the United States,
and punishable by imprisonment for not less
than three nor more than ten years. and fine
of not less than 81 900 nor more than $4,000.
After an executive session the Senate ad-
journed
House. Under the regular Monday call the
following bills and resolutions were introduced:
Building telegraph line from Washington to
Boston, Incorporating an African college; joint
resolution instructiDg the electors committee
to investigate the elections in South Carolina,
Georgia, and Louisiana; granting the right OF
way through the public lands to the New Or
leans, Mobile and Chattanooga railroad-referr
ed to the Committee on Public Lands relative
to the appointment of midshipmen from the
late rebellious States petition from the
Louisiana Legislature asking 100000 for the
Mississippi and Mexican canal; granting GER
tain lands to the Nashville and Decatur rail
road asking the improvement of the Tennesa
see river; prohibiting militia in North and South
Carolina, Florida, Alabama, and Louisiana
aiding the New Orleans and Ship Island canal
instructng the Reconstruction Committeel.to
investigate the Kuklux in Tennessee.
A resolution giving Government employees
twenty per cent. additional pay was tabled-9l
to Is.
A resolution denouncing all forms and degrees
of reputation of the national obligations was
passed-154 to g.
A resolution was adopted raising a commit
tee OF seven, with power to send for persons
and papers, to investigate the New York elec
ton frauds.
Mr.. Butler introduced bill to enforce the
United States laws in Georgia Referred to
the Reconstruction Committee.
The Committee on Public Expenditures was
directed to inquire into the alleged Alaska cor
ruption frauds.
The Secretary of State was asked whether
any commissioner or agent has been sent to
Spain, and for what purpose.
The Military Committee was instructed to
inquire into the eXpediency of repeating the
laws forbidding militia in the southern States
Adjourned.
SENATE. -Tue;d day, Dec. 15th-A number
of communications, memorials and bills were
presented and disposed of temporarily Con
siderable discussion took place on the question
of removing the political disabilities of all citi-
zens of the Southern States. The subject was
finally referred to the Judiciary Committee A
bill was passed repeating the act providing for
the disbanding of the militia organizations in
the Southern States except in so far it relates
to the States of Virginia, Mississippi and Texas.
The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPR PRESENTATIvES.- No business
of general Importance was transacted during the
morning hour. At It's expiration the Tariff bill
was taken up, and discussed in Committee of
the Whole. The first clause Of the bill was pass
ed without amendment. The words 'sulphate
of copper were inserted in the second clause,
which now imposes duty of forty five per cent
on that article. Amendments were offered by
Mr.. Phelps, of Maryland, and others, propos-
ing reduction of this duty, and long discus
sion ensued Pending their consideration, the
House adjourned.