Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-12-15
FOrtieth COngres<--SecOm Ses-
 plOn.
SENATE.

Ns ate met at noon. Forty-scvsn mem
 Mr.. Shrrman presented fhe credcn- tial. of Senstor Hill. of Georgia.
 Mir. Drake movfd to refer them to the Judiciary Comn,ittce.
 After prayer by the Chaplain. inc Senate was formally called to order by the President pro tenn.
 Senator Wade then presented the credentials of Sei,ai0r Edwards, of Vernon. which were read. f
 The President also announced . com municaiion from the Governor of Georgia, which was laid on the table.
 MT. Drake said he understood that the lega, members of the Legislature of Georvia, who had been elected un- der the reconstruction laws. had. by Q combination of the white men. been expelled because they wer. colored. thereby putting the Legislature under rebel control: and ii this were SO, he thought the reconstruction ot Georgia should not be recognized as complete as it would be by the admission of the Senator elect.
 The President said that under the rules of the Senate there were no com mittees in existence to which the credentials could be referred.
 Mr. sherman said that he hoped such an unnsnal canse, as to reier a Senators credentials to N committee. would not be take eil. unless some good reason for it shou Il be shown--somc reason affecting the status oi tho State or the Senator elect--and no such req son appeared in the case. The extra ordinary conduct ofthe white members of the Georgia Legislature were as strongly condemned by the Senator elect from that State as by the Senator from Missouri. and he hoped when admitted to do something to correct that action. but in the meantime he claimed his seat as n Senator elected by large majority of the Legislature before the expulsion Ot the minority. and asa man who had been loyal all through the war, and who was now prepared to take the oath, and he should not be held responsible for the conduct Of a majority of the Legisla- ture. which occurred alter his election, and which lie strongly condemned.
 Mr. Drake said he had no objections to tlie z nt em Il whose crcteii il!s had been presented, but the question as to admitting him involved the great qucs- ton whether the power of Congress over q reconstructed State ends the moment that State ia recognized by this House as restored to its position in the Union. Ii that question were to be answered in the affirmative. then it would be in the power oi any State. immediately on being recognized. to undo anything it had done under the reconstruction acts. aud to restore the rebels to power. It was. in his jud < mrnt. question Of continuing the power of Congress over the lately rebellious States to secure inc great results al which it's legislation have hitherto aimrd, and he would give no vote which coud by implication deny or dispute that power. Mr. Hiil's credentials were then laid on tlie table for the present
 Mir. Sumner introduced bill enforc- ing the provisions Of the bill abnlisll- tug slavery; also n bill to resume ecie payment in Ju,y next, and then the Senate adjourned.
 HOUSE.
 The House met atnoon. and previous tn being called to order. the Il uai greetings were indulged in Speaker Col ax meeting with q very warm greeting rom the members.
 The Speaker called them to order at tw I've. aud prayer was offered by the Chaplain.
 None ofthe irkan.as members were present.
 The Senate was notified that the House had organized,
 Oliver $. Dickcy and s. Newton Pct,is. of Pennsylvania. and Joi,n Steever, ot Missouri. who were elected io fill vacancies, were seated.
 A message was read from Governor Bullock. of Georgia. stating that Mir. Christy. member eject from ile sixth district of that Staic. being inelligiLlr under the fi'h amendment. he had given the certificate to1 Mir. Urmpey. has opponent.
 Mir Brooks presented a certificate from General Meade. given to Mr. Chr;sly. who had been q subordinate Conf derate officer and received a special pardou The p,pers in both Cases were referred to the Committees on Elections.
 Mr Maynard said that the~State of Tennessee believed that she was eatiied. from her voluntary abolition of slavery. to an additional Represent alive in the House, and had elected Thomas A. ilniiton: and he moved that his certificate be reterred to the Committee on Elections. and thXt ill the meantime Mr. Hamilton be entitled to the courtesy o: q seat in the House {; and alter some discussion the creden- tials were referred 10 the committec. and tho privilege "f the floor reused.
 Mr. Eoutweil i,urodac-d bill thar all male citizens not less than twenty one years be entitled to vote for Presi- dent and Congressnirn. Re erred to the Judiciary Committee.
 By the same: X resolution directing the Reconstruction Committee fo re- port what measures are necessary for the better protection of lige, liberty and property in Mississippi, Texas and virginil. Adopted.
 Mr. Elliott Introduced a bill to con time the Freedmrn's Bureau in Vir- ginia, Mississippi aud Texas, which was referred.
 A resolution was adopted. requesting the President to furnish all his insiruc- lions .o the American Minister in Lon- don relative 10 the Alabama ella ms.
 Mr. Broomaii iniroducsd 2 concur- reui resolutions '-. s:;,eu;s inc roiisiiiu- tian, SD tisss rrit.scF t'auyress nor any State shalt .iinis s-e sisi.s of suffrage. Mr. Bro oail aiso niras.as-..i s bill that naturalization palrrs sha.i not be issued within three montl~ preceding an elec- fiou. which was referred.
 Mir. Merrill offered resolution con .lcmning the conduct at Minister Johnson. which was referred.
 The Reconstruction Committee was instructed to exa,Hine into'th public