The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1868-01-24
CONGRESSIONAL,

spoke in favor of receding from the
amendment previously made, the House
having refused to concur. Several ex-
ecutive communications were received,
and two of them, from Secretary Stan
ton, were ordered TO be printed, so that,
as Mr.. Garfield said, the Secretary of
War might be thus recognized.
AT the evening session the debate on
the Reconstruction bill was resumed
an animated discussion springing up be-
tween Msssrs. Bingham and Eldridge.
No vote was taken on the bill when the
House adjourned.
JAN. lS-There was no session of the
Senate yesterday, that body having adj
journed from Tuesday until Monday.
The consideration of the Reconstruc-
tion bill was resumed, Mr.. Boutwell,
having the floor. He yielded Il portion
of his time to Mr.. Garfield, who spoke
in favor of the measure. lie was fol-
lowed by Mr.. Brooks in opposition, IA I'D
a general debate ensued. 1t was agreed
that the bi should be further debated
to-day, and vote taken on Monday
morning.
JANUARY 20.-There was no session
of the Senate Saturday. In the House,
Mr.. Ross retracted the remark he had
made in the heat of debate on the pre-
vious day, charging that Mr.. Farms
worth had trawn pay during the war,
both as Brigadier-General and mem
Der of Congress. Mr.. Woodward adj
dressed the Committee on the subject
ofthe finances, declaring in favor of the
repeal of the Legal-Tender act of 1862,
and denouncing reputation. A gener.
al debate on the subject ensued. Mr..
Axtell spoke in opposition to the Re-
construction bill, after which the Com
mittee rose and the House adjourned.
January 2l.-Several petitions were
presented in the Senate yesterday re-
lative to the rights of American citizens
abroad. The resolution to permit
Philip F. Thomas, of Maryland to
take his seat as Senator, was discuss
ted, the debate taking wide range, in
which the reconstruction plans of Con-
sress and the President were contras-
ed. Without concluding the discuss
ion, the Senate went into Executive
Session and shortly after adjourned.
The regular business of the morning
hour in the House was the call of States
for bills and joint resolutions for refer
elce. Among those introduced were
several regarding the rights of Ameri-
can citizens abroad. one Of them in
structing the President to demand of
the British Government an eXplana-
tlon regarding the arrest and execution
OF Michael O'Brien, and demanding
the recall of Minister Adams, who re-
fused to Interfere in his behalf. The
Reconstruction bill was taken up for
further debate. After two hours debate
Mr.. Bingham moved the previous ques-
ton, which was seconed. That gentle
man having then the close of the de-
bate, allotted portion of his time to
Butler, who spoke at considerable
length. Mr.. Bingham replied, but the
House adjourned without coming to a
vote on thebill.
JANUARY 22.-In the Senate yester-
day, the bill providing for the admis-
sion of Senator Thomas, Of Maryland,
to his seat, upon taking the oath of Of
flee, was taken up when Mr.. Howard
addressed the Senate at length in favor
Of the resolution. Mr.. Morton spoke
in opposition, and after some general
debate, Mr.. johnson gave notice that
he would press for vote on the aues-
tion to-day. The Supplementary Re.
Bill was received from the
House and referred, after which the
Senatr adjourned.
The House proceeded to the regular
order of business, the further consider
alton of the Supplementary Reconstruc-
tion Bill. The question was, on the
motion of Mr.. Butler, to reconsider the
vote, ordering the main question, which
was agreed to-yeas SO, nays 70. Mr..
Butler then offered an amendment,
giving to the Constitutional Conven-
tons of the southern States power to
appoint state officers. Messrs. Butler,
stevens and Kelley supported the
amendment but the House rejected it
by yeas 53, nays ll2. The bill was then
pass ed-yeas l23, nays As. 1t declares
hat, in the ten unrecOnstructed States,
The existing civil governments shall not
De recognised as valid or legal govern
nents, either by Executive or Judicial
power, or by the United States Govern
nent it authorizes the General of the
army to enforce the Reconstruction acts
n those States, and to remove any or
all of the officers of the present provis-
onal governments; that portion of for
ner acts which empowers the President
% detail military commanders for the
several military departments, is repeal
I'll, and the Gen eral of the army vestsd
with such authority; it declares that it
hall be unlawful for the President to
'rder any part of the army or navy to
'ssert by force of arms the authority of
either of the provisional governments
'f such States; it also imposes severe
penalties upon any person who shall in
erfere with the execution of the orders
u the General of the army. The Com
nittee on Elections submitted q report
lpon the contested election case from
he Second District of Kentucky. The
eport declares that John Young Brown
having given aid and comfort to the
ebels during the war, is not competent
o take the oath of Office or to hold n
eat in the House, and that Samuel +.
smith is not entitled to it because he did
lot receive Il majority of the votes cast.
The Committee recommend that the
Governor of Kentucky be notified that
vacancy exists in the representation
II that State. Consideration of the re-
lort was J ostponed.
JANUARY 23.-ln the Senate num-
Ier OF bills were reported from Com
nittees. The Conference Committee
IN the bill relieving cotton from tax
ould not agree, and the House asked
or another conference, which was gran
ed, and the committee on the part of
he Senate was instructed to recedc
rom its amendments to the House bill,
/ was voted to send an American rep
esentative to the Maritime Congress
It Havre. Fifteen thousand dollars was
'oted for the relief of the poor of the
District of Columbia.
In the House the deficiency appropri-
ItiOn bill for reconstruction purposes
vas passed. Several resolutions of in
Iuiry were adopted, A number bills
nd resolutions were introduced. A bill
eiatlng to certain public lands granted
southern railroads were introduced,
Vnich gave rise to some personalities
,etween Messrs. Chanler and Julian.
me death of Hon. Thos. Il. Noel of
Missouri was announced, and several
uiogies upon his character were de-
ivered,
FERNANDO WooD, In his place ON
he floor of the HOusa yaStardoy da