Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-02-18
CONGRESSIONAL.

In the Senate, February lltn, the enalr
announced Reverdy johnson unwell, and
as requesting the "vote on the admission
of Thomas postponed till tomorrow.
Frelinghuysen and Sumner presented
petitions asking that freedmen be sent to
Liberia.
Sumner presented memorial from
sundry Germans for the adjustment Of
the Presidential office.
Trumbull, from the Judiciary Com
mittee, reported substitute to the House
bill which was referred to this committee
on December 10th; providing that here
after any elections authorized by the Re.
construction act of March 23d, 1867,
shall be decided by a majority of votes
cast; and at elections at which the ques-
ton of the adoption or rejection of any
constitution is submitted, any person
duly registered may vote in the part OF
the State where he may be at the time of
the election, upon the presentation of his
certificate of registration, and under such
regulations ss the District Commander
may provide.
Trnmbull also introduced bill de-
fuing the jurisdiction of courts in the
United States in certain cases. 1t
sffirms that frequent decisions of the Su-
preme Court have settled that the judi
cial power of the United States does not
embrace political power. 1t declares
that all courts in the United States in the
administration of justice shall be bound
by decisions of the political department
Of the Government on political questions,
and that Congress is that political
power; and it decides what government
is the established one in State. This
Congress declared, that no civil gov
eminent, republican in form, exists
in the States Of Virginia, North
and South Carolina, Georgia, Ala.
bama Mississippi, Florida, Arkan-
sas and Texas, and therefore no
civil governments in either of said States
shall be recognized by either the Execu-
tive or judicial power of the United
States without previous recognition OF
Congress. 1t further affirms that the re-
construction act of March 2, 1867, and
acts supplementary thereto, are all po-
| litcal in character, the propriety or
validity Of which no Judicial tribunal
shall investigate, and the Supreme Court
of the United States is hereby prohibited
| from taking jurisdiction in amy case
| growing out OF execution of said acts In
either Of said States until said States
shall be represented in Congress, or Con.
gress shall decide their governments re-
publican in form
Wilson, from the Military Committee,
reported bill fer gradual reduction OF
the army, and to discontinue unnecessa-
~ grades therein.
The Senate also considered the resolu-
ton for the admission of Thomas, oil
Marylaud--Oa and Hendricks advoca-
ling 1t. Drake, opposing, said Thomas
could not take the oath of Office or hold
his seat
In the House, large number Of bills
and Joint resolutions were introduced
and referred, including the following
Exempting greenbacks from State taxa
tion, and providing for levees and the
reclamation of the low lands of Missouri
and Arkansas, and the encouragement Of
immigration.
By Bingham To restore the State oil
Alabama to Congressional representa-
ton. Referred to the Committee on
| hecOnEtFuCtlou.
The bill is as follows:
WHEREAS, A large majority Of votes
cast at an election held February, 1868,
were for the Constitution presented by
the Convention Of the people OF Ala
bama; and
WHEREAS. A certain combination o
citizens within said State refused TO vot'
with intent to defeat said Constitution
and to prevent the restoration Of said
State to the Union; therefore,
Resolred, by the Senate and House Q
Representatives., That the State Legs
lature elect under a new Constitution b
convened Of the capital OF said State a
) soon as practicable, BY order Of the mil
itary commander, and upon ratification
BY said legislation Of the fourteenth al
ticle of the Constitution Of the Unite
States, said State shall be admitted {
! representation, in Congress.
, WITH reference 20 the boot and sho
{ business in Boston, the Tfapeller, Of tbs