Litchfield enquirer., 1868-01-16
CONGRESS-,

rectlng that certain moneys ill the hands ot the Treasurer, the proceeds of captured and abandoned rebel property, shall be covered by warrants in the Treasury, was taken up. Mir. Trumbull charged that the Secretary of the Treasury had paid upward of $2, 100000 to disloyal claimants. The bill was debated at length and postposed. A resolution was adopted asking the Presi- dent for information as to whether the bill
 which passed both Houses for further se
 curing equal rights in the District of Col. umbia had become law. It was passed
 before the recess, and is supposed to have been ''pocketed' by the President on ac- count of the recess
 In the House, several memorials relative to the rights of American citizens abroad were presented and referred The report of the Committee of Elections, which de- clares Robert S. Van Horn entitled to a seat as representative from the Sixth Con- gressionel District of Missouri was after some debate, adopted.
 In the Senate Jan. 9th the Committee on Finance reported the House bill to pre- vent frauds in the revenue from distilled spirits. It provides that no spirits shall be withdrawn from any warehouse for any purpose whatever, until the full amount of Government tax shall have been paid. The new Reconstruction bill, which proposes to supercede the present State Govern ments of the South by Provisional Govern ments, was discussed. The bill to prevent further reduction of the currency was ta- ken up, the question being on the amend ment.
 In the House the joint resolution was ta- ken up reported by the Committee on For e;gn Affairs requesting the President to in- tercede with the Queen of Great Britain for the release of Father McMahon, and one Robert Linen who are imprisoned in Canada. MT. Wood submitted resolution calling upon the President to interpose his official authority in behalf of all American citizens confined in Ireland. After debate these resolutions were passed unanimously The House bill relative to distilled spirits in bond was received back from the Senate with notifications, and immediately pass ed. MT. Schenck, from the Committee on Ways and Means, reported a joint resolu- tion providing for the appointment of a Commission to examine and report on me- ters for distilled spirits. MT. Schenck ex- plained what had been done by the Com mittee during its investigations of this sub- ject, and said 1t was designed to secure a meter which could not be tempered with. A lengthy and interesting debate ensued.
 In the Senate Jan. 10, MT. Harlan intro duced a bill, providing for the considera- tion of the national indebtedness into bonds of long date, bearing not more than three and half per cent. interest. The bill to prevent further contraction of the currency was discussed at length.
 In the House lengthy debate ensued upon the joint resolution relative to the appointment of commission to examine ana report upon whisky meters: The res- olution was finally passed. The report of the Committee on Elections, declaring that Lyman $. Trimble is entitled to seat as representative from the first Congressional district of Kentucky, was debated and f. hally adopted, after which Mr. Timble took the oath of office.
 In the Senate, Jan. Il, Mr. Sumner in- troduced resolution declaring that the Constitutional Amendment, proposed by the Thirty-ninth Congress, is valid as a part of the Constitution, it having been ratified by three-fourths of the States; re- ferred to the Committee on Judiciary The bill relative to corporations in the District of Columbia was then debated.
 The House, having designated Saturday dS OGOdtluS Ndy, AE. Dd1AW4u tOOk the uOOr and proceed to reply to the speech which Mir. Brooks made last week, and to combat the arguments of MT. Brooks as to the nat ural inferiority of the African race. Mir. Barnes made a lengthy address upon the question of national finances. MT. Ward argued against the legal position assumed by the minority report of the Judiciary Committee relative to impeachment. The Committee was also addressed by MT. Kerr relative to the rights of American citizens.
 A resolution was adopted in the Senate Jan. 13 instructing the Judiciary to pro- vide rules for proceeding in impeachment trials. The Military Committee reported a bill authorizing the sale of Harper's Ferry.
 In the House, the new Reconstruction l bill was reported. It declares that there | are no civil governments, republican in form, in the States lately in rebellion. It l also takes from the President all powers in l regard to enforcing the Reconstruction | scts, and gives it to Gen. Grant. An | which was added declares that l 10 case pending before the Supreme Court involving the action or effect of any law of he United States. shall be decided adverse 7 to the validity of such law without the l concurrence of two-thirds of all the mem- ,ers of the Court. An animated debate |
 IL. \.