Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-01-15
Washington and Congressional News.
WASHINGTON, January 6.

Washington and Congressional News.
WASHINGTON, January 6.
SENArE.-A memorial was presented "a.
voring steamship line hence to Liberia.
One by Mr.. Sumner, from the freedmen of
Elizabeth City North Carolina, stating the
land owners were driving them from the land,
which their industry had purchased, and ask
ing redress.
The cotton tax came up, but was postponed
till to morrow.
The anti contraction bill came up, but was
postponed, with the understanding that it
comes up Immediately after the disposition
of the cotton tax. Adjourned.
HousE.-A variety of bills aud resolutions
were introduced, among them: to create
local steamboat inspectors tffice at Cairo, II.
linois; to make s.. Joseph, Mo-, port Of
delivery TO authorize clerks of record courts
to administer oatht in bankruptcy.
Mr.. Eldridye offered resolution of thanks
to Gen. Hancock, in accordance with the Pres.
ident's message. TahIcd-5 to %.
Mr.. Washburne, of Mississippi, offered
resolution declaring that the House utterly
condemns The conduct Of Andrew johnson.
acling President of the United States, for his
a.tion IN removing the gallant soldier, Gene
raj Sheridan, from command OF the NTH mil
i1ary district, and that the thanks of the
House are due Gen. Grant for his letter OF
August last, condemning said acting President
for his removal OF Secretary Stanton, as well
as for tie endorsement of Gen. Sherman in
relation to affairs in the State of Texas.
Adopted-yeas, s. nays, %.
a bill making eight hours days work
was passed.
The measure expediting the payment of
bountes occupied the House to adjournment.
WASHINGTON, Jan. I.
SENArE-Mr. Sumner introduced Bill
abolishiug the Eastern and extending the
jurisdiction of tue Western District Court
over Texas.
Mr. Wilson introduced Bill to declare va
can't certain offices iu Georgia, and authoriz
ing the Convention Of that State to fill them.
1t was ordered to be printed.
An unsatisfactory discussion then arose as
to whether the bill passed before the recess
abolshing all distinction, on account of color,
in tue District of Columbia, was law. The
matter was finally referred to the Judiciary
Committee.
The discussion of the Bill to repeal the cot
ton tax was then resumed, and after long
argument, and the rejection of numberless
amendments, . Bill to the following effect
was passed: "The tax to be suspended dur
ing tho year 1868 on cotton grown during
that year, this suspension not to be constru-
ed to prevent the regular levy of the tax af:
ter 1868. The duty on said cotton imported
into the United States from April lst, 1868,
to April Is. 1869, to be suspended"
The Bill gucs back to the House for con
currcnce.
HoUss.-TLe report of Special Revenue
Commissioner Wells was submitted.
The consideration Of the Bill to expedite
the payment of bounties WAS resumed. Au
amendment referring the claims Of negro sol.
ton, was adopted, and the Bill passed.
The Bill for the sale Of certain iron clads
was passed.
The Election Committee reported in favor
of swearing in Trimble, from Kentucky.
Senator Wilson's Bill presented to-day,
proposes to vacate the Offices of Governor,
secretary of State, Treasurer, COMPTROLLER
and Surgeon General Of Georgia.
WAsHISGToN, January s.
SENATE.-Amendments to the bankrupt
acts were indefinitely postponed.
The Joint resolution to convert into treasury
proceeds captured cotton aud other property
remaining in the hands of the Treasurer, was
resumed and elaborately discussed. The
gross amount was S34,0OO,000, of which S24,.
600 900 remained IN the hands of the Treasu.
rer as special agent; $lO0OO,0OO have been
paid to owners and for expenses. The action
of the Treasurer in disbursing the $l0,O0O,-
900 was seriously questioned.
The matter was postponed.
A resolution instructing the Judiciary Com
mittee to report bill to vacate the present
illegal aud unauthorized governments in the
Southern States, and to provide provisional
governments untilreconstructed, was laid over.
The President was called on for informa
ton whether the bill abolishing "white" in
District laws and ordinances, was considered
as law by the Executive.
After executive session, adjourned.
HousE.-The Committee on Foreign Af-
fairs reported resolution requesting the
President to intercede with Victoria for
Father McMahon's release. The report main.
tains the innocence of Mcmahon, and the
committee refused to couple other names with
the resolution, as the case was homogeneous.
The resolution was discussed broadly. Mr..
Orth maintaining that American views re-
qarding alienation aud naturalization must
be enforced by arms if necessary.
Mr.. McCullum held that nation that wont
strive to protect those who swear allegiance
to it should be blotted out. He held that
rulings of English courts regarding expatria
ton were monstrous.
Pending the discussion the morning hour
expired and the resolution went over.
The Senate amendments to the cotton bill
were referred to the Ways and Means Com
mittee.
The negro Gable Thornton, coming from
church with two women, happened to run
against an unknown negro, who stabbed
Thornton to the heart and then escaped.
A gold medal valued at four hundred dol
lars has been presented to the President by
committee from Philadelphia. The medal is
three inches in diameter. On the diverse
side is an excellent likeness Of the President,
with the date Of bis birth, also Of his inaugu-
ration as President; on the reverse is the fol-
lowing inscription:
(" With courage and fidelity he defended The
Constitution and By justice and mCgnanimity
restored alienated States"
The presentation address was made by Col.
Hogner.
The President responded returning his
thanks to the club, and trusting that their
confidence in hi:2 had not been misplaced.
In conclusion, be pledged himself that his (u-
ture course should be as the past in his efforts
to maintain and uphold the Constitution, and
assuring the committee that the presentation
was peculiarly gratifying at this time, and