Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-05-19
CONGRESSIONAL.

CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE. Friday, May S.-The Senate wa
not in session yesterday.
| HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, numbe
OF private bills were introduced and disposed Of
| The bill for the admission of the State of Arkan
sas, reported from the Reconstruction Commit
tee, was taken up. The previous question wa
demanded and the bill pushed to a vote by Mr.
Stevens, Notwithstanding the protest of a mum
Der of members, and the fact that no officia
copy of the Constitution has been laid before
the House for its consideration. The bill was
passed by vote of yeas ITO to nays 3d. A
bill, similar to that for the admission of Ar
kansas was introduced for the admission Of
South Carolina and referred to the Committee
On Reconstruction. Mr.. Phelps, of Maryland,
made an explanation correcting certain state
ments made by Mr.. Pike in relation to the Balti-
more and Bremen line of steamers, which were
OF tendency to create an impression that Balti-
more was dependent upon foreign enterprise,
which was not the case. The House soon after
adjourned until Monday next, at II NJ.
SENATE.-Monday, May, 1l.-At 10 A. NJ,
the Chief Justice took his seat and the Court
OF Impeachment was opened. At 10 20 A. NJ,
the doors were closed. During the secret ses-
sion the Chief Justice laid before the Court the
questions prepared by him to be asked the
oANdAOOAo WhCu tHC SUIS SudIA Uc ldkGu Oh Tie
articles OF impeachment, with his views upon
them. 1t was ordered that the questions shall
be put as proposed by the Chief Justice. The
questions and the opinion of the Chief Justice
will be found elsewhere Mr.. Sumner called
up his order declaring that upon conviction the
Chief Justice shall at once pronounce the
sentence of removal from Office. Pending its
discussion the hour of IL A. NJ, arrived and
the debate upon the articles of impeachment
commenced. Senators Edmunds, Stewart.
Howe, Grimes Henderson, Trumbul and
Fessenden, of the Republicans addressed the
Court, and the last four named declared them.
selves in favor of acquittal. Mr. Hendricks,
Democrat, also spoke in favor of the acauittal
OF the President. At $50 p. NJ, the Senate
took recess until 73O P. NJ.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. concurrent
resolution was adopted, yeas 68, nays 81, pro-
vlding for recess of Congress from the 10th to
the 18th instant A number of bills and resolu-
tions were introduced and referred to various
committees The Senate bill extending the
charter Of the city of Washington was taken up,
amended and passed. A bill was passed ap-
the sum Of $87,70l to supply de-
iclencles in carrying out the Reconstruction acts
in the Third Military District This amount
only covers the deficiencies for the present fiscal
year. A bill for the admission o. the States of
North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana
Georgia and Alabama was reported from the
COMMITTEE on Reconstruction. and will be call
ed up on Wednesday. A bill was rassed re-
moving the political disability from some two
hundred citizens of North Carolina who voted
the Radical ticket some of whom are Congress.
men and State officers elect The Speaker stated
that session of the House will be held to- day.
as it is probable that the Senate will be engag
ed in secret session and the order declaring that
the vote on the articles Of impeachment shall
be taken at l2 NJ, will probably be rescinded.
The House then adjourned
SENATE Tuesday, May 12-The Court of
was opened at Ii. 80 A. NJ An
order was adopted resembling the rule requiring
a vote on the articles of impeachment to be
taken at II NJ. The Court soon after adjourn
ed until Saturday next, on account of the in.
disposition of Senator Howard. The Senate
was then called to order The concurrent reso-
luton passed by the House providing for an
adjournment from the 10th to the Goth instant
was laid on the table. Without transacting any
business OF general impo. tance the Senate soon
after adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. "A COM
was received from the General of
the Army containing statement of the votes
cast for and against the State Constitutions in
the States named, as follows: North Carolina,
for 90, 500, against II, $50; South Carolina for
70, 75S, against 27,2SS; Georgia, for S9,OO7,
against II 300; Louisiana, for 66,l52, against
IS, 739; Alabama, for SO, ,S07, against l,0O5.-
1t was referred to the Committee on Recon
struction. The General internal tax bill was
reported from the Committee on Ways and
Means It was ordered to be printed and re-
committed. A resolution was adopted author
izing the Secretary of War to sell all damaged
and unserviceabe arms, cannon and ordnance
in possession of the War Department.
and to deposit the amount realized from such
sale in the United States Treasury. The bill
regulating the tariff for freight and passengers
on the Union Pacific Railroad was taken up,
amended and passed. A memorial was present.
ed from certain iron manufacturers and civil
engineers of Baltimore asking protection against
unjust discrimination. 1t was referred to the
Committee on Naval Affairs. Mr.. Mungen,
member Of the Committee of Investigation into
the treatment of Federal soldiers in Southern
prisons, stated that he was able to prove that
the Confederate authorities had offered three
times their value in cotton and tobacco for
medicines to be used for the prisoners at
Andersonvile under the control of Federal
surgeons Mr.. NJ stated that he made this
statement simply as a matter of justice. The
House soon after adjourned.