The Portland daily press., 1868-12-08
XLth O0NGRESS---Third Session.
SENATE,

XLth O0NGRESS---Third Session.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. THE Senate met at
noon, forty-eight members being present.
Prayer was offered by the Chaplain
The credentials of Senator Edmunds, of
Vermont, were presented.
The President announced a communication
from the Governor of Georgia, which was laid
on the table.
Mr.. Sherman presented the credentials of
Senator Hill, of Georgia.
Mr.. Drake moved to refer it to the Judiciary
Committee.
Mr.. Sherman hoped such an unusual course
as the reference of Senator's credentials to a
committee would not be taken unless some
good reason for it should be shown, some rea-
son affecting the status of the State or the
Senator elect No such reasons appeared in
the case. The extraordinary and outrageous
conduct of the white members of the Georgia
Legislature was as strongly condemned by the
Senator elect from that State as by the Sena-
tor from Missouri, and he hoped when admit
ted to do something to correct the action, but
IN the meantime he claimed his seat as a Sen
ator elected by large majority of the whole
Legislature before the expulsion OF the minor
ity, and as man who had been loyal all
through the war, and was prepared to take the
oath, and he should not be held responsible for
the conduct of the majority of the Legislature
which occurred after his election, and which
he strongly condemned.
Mr.. Drake said, of course, he had no objec-
ton to the gentleman whose credentials had
been presented, but the question as to admit
ting him involved the greater question wheth-
er the power of Congress over a reconstructed
State ends when that State is recognized by
either House as restored to her position in the
Union. If that question were to be answered
in the affirmative, then it would be in the
power of any State, Immediately upon being
recognized, to undo everything it had done
under the reconstruction act and to restore
rebels to power. 1t was, in his Judgment, a
question of continuing the power of Congress
over the lately rebellous States to secure the
great results at which its legislation had hith-
erto aimed, and he would give no vote which
could by implication deny or dispute that
power.
On motion of Mr.. Sherman Mr.. Hills Gre
dentials were tabled for the present.
Mr. Sumner introduced bill to enforce the
provisions of the Constitution abolishing slav-
cry.
A bill was introduced for the resumption of
specie payment by July 4th next
A resolution in favor of cheap ocean postage
was introduced. Adjourned.
HOUSE.
Tee galleries were crowded.
The chaplain, Rev. Mr.. Boynton, opened the
session with prayer.
The Speaker directed the Clerk to call the
roll of members and delegates, and 164 men,
beers answered to their names. The States of
Virginia, Mississippi and Texas were unrepre-
sented. None of the Arkansas members an
wered ON the call.
Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, offered the usual
formal resolution, directing the Clerk to notify
the Senate that a quorum of the House was
in session ready for business, and providing for
Joint committee to wait on the President of
the United States for similar purpose.
The Speaker appointed as such committee
on the part of the House, Messrs Washburne,
of Illinois, Schenck of Ohio and Brooks of
New York.
Mr. Schenck asked to be excused, and Mr..
Garfield was appointed in his place.
The Speaker presented credentials from
Gov. Bullock, of Georgia, declaring that he
was satisfied that under the 14th amendment
of the Constitution the person elected as Rep
resentative from the sixth district of Georgia,
Mr. Christy, was not eligible and that there
fore. he gave the certificate to the person re-
ceiving the next highest number of votes, Mr..
Wimpy.
Mr.. Brooks said he held in his hand certif-
icate given by Major Gen. Meade to Mr.. Chris
ty, and remarked that Mr.. Wimpy had been a
subordinate officer in the Confederate army,
and had received special pardon by bill
passed last session. He moved that both pa
pers be referred to the Committee on Elec-
tons.
Mr. Dawes supported that motion, and it
was agreed to.
Mr.. Lynch introduced bill to provide
against undue expansions and contractions Of
the currency, and to allow drawback on ar
ticles used in the construction of vessels. Re-
ferred to the Ways and Means Committee.
Mr.. Boutwell, introduced a bill providing
that all male citizens of the United States,
not less than q years of age, shall be entitled
to vote for electors of President and Vice
President and Representatives to Congress.
Referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Pike offered resolution, directing the
WAYS and Means Committee to report bill
for the payment in gold of United States notes
commonly called greenbacks.
Mr.. Farnsworth said the resolution was
mandatory, aid suggested its reference.
Mr.. Pike preferred to move the previous
question. which the House refused to- second,
and the resolution was referred to the Commit
tee on Ways and Means.
Mr.. Wood offered a resolution, requesting
the President to communicate copies of letters
OF instructions to the Minister at London re-
lating to the settlement of the Alabama
claims and of any subsequent correspondence
with him or the British Government on that
subject, which was adopted.
Mr. Washburne, of Illinois, reported that
the Joint committee to wait on the President
had performed that duty, and that the Presi-
dent would communicate in writing on We'd
nesday, at P. M.
Mr. Kelley introduced joint resolution pro-
posing an amendment to the Constitution of
the United States, that no State shall exclude
from the exercise of any of the rights and priv
ileges of an elector,or any citizen of the United
Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Broomal of Pennsylvania, introduced a
concurrent resolution to amend the Constitu-
ton so neither Congress nor any State, by its
constitution or law shall deny or restrict the
right of suffrage to any citizen of the United
States on account of race or parentage, and de-
clairipg void any such limitation in constitu-
ton or law Referred to the Judiciary Com
mittee.
Mr.. Broomall also introduced bill, amending
a la rQlQfinU I'm n 9lianG
providing that certificates of citizenship shall
be issued only by competent courts, held in
the country or parish where the applicant re-
sides, and shall not be issued within three
months Immediately preceding the time fixed
for holding elections for State or United
States officers. Referred to the Committee on
Revision of Laws.
Mr.. Morrill, introduced a joint resolution, de-
claring that the conduct of Reverdy johnson,
United States Minister to England, is prejudi-
cial to the interests and dignity of the nation,
and requesting the President to order his i'm
mediate recall.
Mr. Randall moved to lay the joint resolution
on the table, remarking there were no facts to
Justify such declaration
Mr.. Banks moved to refer the Joint resolu-
ton to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The motion to lay it on the table was re
jected.
to refer it would be voted down and that there
would be a square vote on the resolution.
The resolution was referred to Committee on
Foreign Affairs; "a to Al.
Mr., Schofeld offered a resolution instruCting
the Committee on Reconstruction to examine
into the condition of public affairs in Georgia,
with power to send for persons and papers
Mr. Stokes introduced joint resolution to
amend the Constitution by providing that no
State shall make or enforce law to deprive
citizens of the elective franchise on account of
race or color. Referred to the Judiciary Com
mittee.
Mr.. Archer offered resolution instructing
the Judiciary Committee to report bill appro-
priating $4,000 to reimburse Presiden john
son, for his expenses in defending himself in
the impeachment trial.
Mr.. Schenck offered resolution instructing
the Judiciary Committee to inquire whether
amendments were needed to the naturalization
laws.
Mr.. Spauding moved to amend The resolu-
ton substituting the Committee on Revision
of Laws for the Judiciary Committee.
Mr., Schenck accepted the amendment.
the table.
The motion was lost, yeas SO nays 125, and
the resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Bingham introduced a bill to provide for
an election in Virginia in January next Re-
ferred to Committee on Reconstruction
Mr.. Lawrence, of Ohio, offered resolution
directing the Committee on Ways and Means
to inquire into the expediepcy of making il
the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury tt
sell from time to time the surplus gold in the
Treasury and apply its proceeds and other sur
plus money in the Treasury. to iquidate por
ton of the public debt. Adopted.
Mr.. Spaulding offere resolution instruct
ing the Committee on Ways and Means to in
mira infn fha 0f nrnvidinO for fh,