Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-04-02
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.

The impeachment Of the President absorbs mucn
of the attention of Congress, and there seems to be
but little disposition on thepart Of the members OF
either House to attend to the ordinary affairs Oh
the nation.
In the Senate, on the 2lst ultimo, an attempt to
reduce the regular army to $4,000 was defeated.
On the 23d and Oath, each House was wholly
engaged with the impeachment matter.
On the 25th; in the Senate, a bill wasintroduced
creating a provisional government for Alabama.
1t declares the Montgomery Constitution the run
damental law Of the State, except where it may
conflict with the Federal Constitution, and author
ICES the State officers, chosen at the constitutions
election, to qualify and discharge their dutiesas pro
vided in the Montgomery Constitution, on the Isl
of May 1t provides for the convening of the Legis
lature and the resubmission of the Constitution te
the people, which may be ratified by majority Of
the votes cast The Legislature is required to rat
|iy the 18th article of the United States Constitu
ton.
In the House, the tax bill was resumed, and
discussed at great length. No features affecting
the interests at the South were reached. The bill
was finally passed, and goes back to the Senate to-
concurrence
The President sent in veto of the bill amend
ing the judiciary bil intended to muzzle the Su
preme Court The message was very short, to1
which the President apologized.
In the House, on the 26th, the ReconstructloI
Committee reported the Alabama admission DILL
with an additional section, providing that the Con
stitution shall never be changed to deprive any
class of the right who are entitled to vote under it.
or allow any person to vote who is disqualified by
the fourteenth article of the United States Constl
tuition from holding Office Congress retains the
power to annul the constitutional amendments, OF
acts of Legislature contrary to this section.
Stevens moved an amendment to the bill to make
the suffrage universal except for persons convicted
of treason felony, or other crimes infamous at com
mon law, and declaring that should the Legisla'
ture reduce the suffrage below the universal right
oil legislation admitting the State into the Union
shall be null and void.
The veto of the President on the amendment tc
the judiciary bill was considered, and the bill pass
ed over it-yeas, 80; nays, 9.
Stevens universal suffrage amendment applies
to all the States but the penalty for its infringe
ment applies only to Alabama Its defeats con,
sidered certain, as it would give Alabama to the
Democrats. But the passage Of the bill, as repor
ted, making valid the new constitutions and inau'
gurating the State officials, is apprehended.
In the House, on the 9th, aresolution was pre-
sented declaring that the House wildo no bushes:
until impeachment is over was offered, causing
great confusion. It was finally withdrawn.
In the House, on the 2Sth, the consideration o.
the Alabama Bill was resumed and discussed al
great length. A motion to table was defeated BY
a vote of 80 to lO3. A motion to strike out the
second section was carried by "a to 80. Stevens
amendment, providing for universal suffrage, wal
rejected without division. A substitute was ther
adopted by vote IT to 54. 1t declares the
Montgomery Constitution the fundamental law O.
the Provisional Government The officers recent
ly elected, ARE to qualify and enter upon the dis
charge of the duties May lst The Governor may
convene the Legislature elected under said Consti
tuition. The Legislature shall possess all power
conferred by the Montgomery Constitution. Tht
majority of the electors qualified under tie Act
Congress- March %, 1867, have adopted Consti
tuition, and the Legislature having ratified the four
teenth article Of said Constitution, it may be pre-
sented to Congress for approval The laws to pro
vide more efficient Government in the rebel States
shall remain in force in Alabama, except as modi
fed by this Act, until Alabama is admitted t.
representation