Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1868-01-30
Tns oTnfamoas Congress-


Express says the scene in the House
of Representatives on the passage OF
the last Reconstruction bin was one
of moro than usual interest. The
galleries werc packed with excited
spectators, the immense northern gal.
lery being filed almost exclusively
with American citizens of African dc.
scont--who, as tho scene was viewed
from your correspondents desk, fdrn-
ished dark back ground to the whole
picture The Foreign Diplomatic Corps
exhibited deep interest in the pro
ceedings, and the western gallery,
set apart for their especial accommo-
dation, was also wellfilled. On the
floor of the Hail. Senators, Cabinet
Ministers and army officers crowded
all seemingly anxious to witness the
final proceedings Of the House of Rep
rcsentatives on this startling and fear
full legislation pronounced by Mr.
Wood "the most infamous of the
many infamous acts of this infamous
Congress. Just before Mr.. Bingham
(of Ohio)-who reported the bill
rose TO close the debate,ih colleague,
Mr.. Carey, (Republican,) propoundcd
to him four questions, saying that
upon the satisfactory character of
Mr.. Bingham's replies would depend
his (Carey's) vote on the pending bill.
Those questions were
lst. If General Grant should fail or
refuse to execute this law, or should
execute it in despotic and cruel man
ner, to what tribunal would he be re-
sponsible for his nonfeasance or NAL
feasance
I'd. As by the terms of the bill
the President cannot interfere, can
the General be tried by court-martial,
and if so, who can order, and who
shall constitute the Court 7
Sd. Not being a civil officer can he
be impeached, and if SO, by whom and
before what tribunal 7
4th If he cannot be arraigned be-
fore any earthly tribunal, is he not
made an absolute despotI
These four inquiries, fell with
decided effect upon the Radical
side OF the Hall, and Immediately But
Ter, Schenck, Boutwell, and Others
rushed over to Bingham's desk to
prompt him in his replies, but that
gentleman deemed it more prudent
not to answer, and at once called the
previous question, thus not only stop.
ping debate, but cutting off Ben But
ler's amendment, which he so strcnu-
ously endeavored 10 get before the
House, and which was intended to
pass the State governments of the
South into the hands Of the negro con-
ventions.
The vote on the final passage OF
the bill, was, yeasl 1873; nays As.
These four inquiries by Mr.. Carey
should be published far and wide.
They were propounded by Republi-
can, and we're not answered by Mr..
Bingham. They tell the whole story
of tO.day's proceedings in few words
and words which cannot be misuuder-
stood
The country, however, will soon
learn that even this new bill will not
satisfy the conspirators, who are to
meet this very evening at the call of
Thad. Stevens, the chairman of the
Committee on Reconstruction, to con.
slider still another proposition. Ste-
vens, in this call, has again exhibited
his characteristic cunning, and under
the plea of i'll health, notifies the COM
mlttee to meet at his private residence
wen knowing that the two Democrat
ic members will respectfully decline
the invitation, leaving himself and his
Radical colleagues to concoct, in Sc
cret, another diabolical scheme for op-
pressing and harhssing the Southern
people. 1t is understood that Mr..
Brooks, of New York-a member of
the Reconstruction Committee-ad-
dressed note to Stevens, protesting
against any meeting not held in the
room of the Committee, in the Capitol.
As there is no power to hold meetings
of Congressional Committee out
side of the Capitol, unless by special
legislation or consent of the Commit.
tee, Mr.. Stevens will have again to
convert the meeting at his residence
into q political Caucus. Should thcro
be any attempt to transact Committee
business, the matter will be brought
to the attention of the House as q
question of privilege.