Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-02-28
THE FORTIETH CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.
SENATE.

WAsHISGToS. Feb. Il.
Mr.. Trumbull reported from the Judiciary
Committee, with sn amendment, an act to amend
the act Of March i23d, 1867, supplementary to
the act to provide for the more efficient govern
ment Of the rebel States, provides that here
after any election authorized by the act passed
March %, 1867, shall be decided by a majority
Of votes actually cast.
Mr.. Edmunds, from the Judiciary Committee.
to which had been referred the bill for the furth-
er security of eqpa rights in the District Of COL
umbia, introduced bill to regulate the presen-
tation Of bills TO the President and the return Of
the same He stated that the Judiciary Com
mittee were unanimously in favor of the bill.
1t provides that the ten days within which the
President is required by the Constitution to re-
turn bills not approved by him, shall be deemed
the ten calendar days Sundays excepted) next
after their receipt, and shall be computed by ex-
Guiding the day on which he receives them, and
including the tenth thereafter. An ADJOURN
mept Of Congress, which shall prevent a return
by the President of any such bill to the House
in which it originated, shall be construed to be
final adjournment of the session. In cases Of
the adjournment Of either Houses to particu-
lar day, it shall be lawful for the President to
return bill with his objections, or send a mes
sage announcing its signature, TO the Office Of the
Secretary of the Senate or Clerk of the House,
as the case may be and such return or send
ing Of message shall be considered to have the
same effect as if the House in which the bill orr
ginated were in session.
Mr.. Trumbull introduced bill defining the
jurisdiction of the courts of the United States in
certain cases. 1t afirms that repeated decisions
Of the Supreme Court have decided that the ju-
dicial power of the United States does not en-
brace political power. 1t declares that all the
courts of the United States in the administra-
ton of justice shall be bound by the decisions OF
| the political departments of the Government on
a political question, and that it rests with Con-
gress to decide what Government is the estab
lished one in State. 1t is further declared that
no civil State Government, republican in form.
exist. in the States Of Virginia, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi,
Louisiana, Florida, Arkansas, or Texas, and that
| no civil Governments in either of said States
shall be recognized as valid or legal State Gov
ernment, either by the executive or judicial pow
er Of the United States until Congress shall sc
provide, or until such Government is represent
ed in Congress. And it is further affirmed tha
the Reconstruction act of March 2, 1867, anC
acts supplemental thereto, are political in thei
character, the propriety or validity of which NJ
Judicial tribunal is competent to question. Ant
the Supreme Court cf the United States is here
by prohibited from taking jurisdiction Of any
case growing out of the execution of said acts il
either of said States, until such States shall b
recognized in Congress, or until Congress shal
recognize its State Government as republican il
form. Referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Edmunds called up the Joint resolution
convey into the treasury the money arising fror
the sales of captured and abandoned property.
The nue.tjon WAS on Mr. Edmunds' substitute