Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-01-16
DoINGs IN CONGRESS.

In the House, on the 7th instant, the report Of
Special Revenue Commissioner Wells, was sub
mitted Among the recommendations of the re.
port, are the following o.. -. :...
s'That all expenditures for the navy, army, and
public works be reduced to the minimum that SO
long as the necessities of the nation are paramount
to those of individuals, no claims for damages sus.
tanned in consequence of the rebellion, be either
paid or considered that the department employ
ees be reduced to the minimum number requisite
that no money be appropriated for the further pur
chase of foreign territory, and that no commercial
treaty with any foreign nation be ratified OF char
acter calculated to materially diminish the customs
revenue. With this economical policy, the Gov.
ernment expenses might be reduced to $40, ,0O0,'
900, allowing the taxes on large number of arti
cles to be dispensed with The commissioner re:
commends that the income tax law be so amended
that the exemptions shall apply only to incomes
which are not IN excess of 81, 500 or $4,000 that
per gallon and that the stamp system be adopted
in the sale of tobacco"
ABil to prevent whiskey frauds was passed and
sent to the President The following is the text Of
the Bill:
"That from and after the passage of the Bill, nc
distilled spirits shall be withdrawn or removed
from any warehouse for purposes Of rectifcation
transportation change Of package, expectation, OF
for any other purpose whatever, until the ful tai
on such spirits shall have been paid, and all acts
and parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions
hereof, are hereby repealed" "
In the Senate Mr.. Wilson introduced Bill
which was ordered to be printed, to declare vacant
certain Offices in Georgia, and authorizing the
Convention of that State to Eli them.
The discussion of the Bill to repeal the cottor
tax was resumed and after long argument
and the rejection Of numberless amendments, 6
Bill to the following effect was passed: 'The tai
to be suspended during the year 1868 on cottor
grown during that year this suspension not to be
construed to prevent the regular levy of the taz
after 1868. The duty on cotton imported ihte
the United States from April lst, 1868, to April Isl
1869, to be suspended" The Bill goes back tc
the House for concurrence.
In the House, on the 9Th, the Senate amend
ments to the Cotton-tax-bill was referred to the
Committee of Ways and Means.
In the Senate, sundry proposed amendments te
the Bankrupt Act we're indefinitely postponed. A
resolution instructing the Judiciary Committee te
report bill to vacate the Presidents illegal anc
unauthorized Governments inthe Southern States
and to appoint Provisional Governors until recon
structed, was laid over.
In the Senate, on the 9th, Morton called up hi
resolution instructing the Judiciary Committee tt
report bill abrogating the existing State govern
ments in the rebel States, and providing proper
governments in lieu thereof Frelinghuyson movec
to amend soas to makethe reporting of Bill by the
Committee, discretionary. After considerable dis
cussion the matter was postponed.
The proceedings in either House on the 10th
present nothing of special interest
In the House on the 18th, the Committee OF
Reconstruction agreed upon bill, to be reported
on Monday, declaring that there are no civil gov
ernments in the lately rebellious States, and that
the provisional governments shall not be recognized
as valid or legal, either by the Executive or judi
cial authorities of the United States. In order tc
secure the speedy enforcement of the several recon
struction laws, the General of the Army is author
| lied to remove all officers now employed, and ap.
point others for the performance Of all acts requir
ed by those statutes to the end that the people o
the said several States may speedily organize civil
governments, under Republican form, and be re.
stored to their own political power in the Union.
The General of the army is also empowered to re-
move all civil officers and appoint others in their
places. So much of the Reconstruction acts as
authorizes the President to detail the Military Com
manders or remove others is repealed.
The bill declares that it is unlawful for the Pres.
ident to order any part of the army or navy to as
sist by force of arms, the military Of those proVis
iiond governments to oppose or obsruct the au'