Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-02-08
CoNGnEsssoxAL.
sKNArR.

unilnportant. resolutions and memori- als were presented and referred.
 Thsyer, in presenting resolution of the. citizens of Nebraska, regarding < American citizens abroad, remarked that tho public feeling made it advisa- ble that the government should take some action on this subject, and it would give the government which pro tecis it's citisens abroad greater credit than the,purchasc of earthquakes.
 Shernsan, from the Committee on Finance. reported favorably on the House bill in regard to the taxation of the shareholders of. national baaks.-- He explained that it provided for the taxation of shares where the bank is located, even though belonging to non- residents.
 Wilson introduced bill for the grad ual reduction of the army, and discen- tinuance of unnecessary grades.
 A joint resolution, placing certain troops in Missouri on equal footing with others as to bountics, was passed.
 The reconstruction bill then came up. Terry was entitled-t to the floor, and Johnson said he would not ask for the vote in Senator Thomas case until the reconstruction debate was termi- mated. Terry spoke atlength in favor of the bill.
 Stewart followed on that side, after which the Senate adjourned. ROUSE.
 Bills and resolutions were passed as follows:
 To amend the law in relation to pro- motion in the navy.
 Taxing National Banks.
 For the enforcement of contracts payable in coin.
 To authorize the building of mili- tary and postal railroad from Washing ton to New York.
 One relative to the naturalization laws. The latter provides that any man may become citizen on applica- ton in 9y court, on taking the usual oath.
 To authorize the issue Sl40,000 in le- gal tenders, to supply the deficiency caused by the cancellation of legal ten i der and compound interest notes. To provide for the orphans of sol- diers and sailors who died ill service, and an asylum for disabled veterans.
 To provide for the settlement of the war debt incurred in New Mexico in suppression of tho rebellion and Indian hostilities.
 One in reference to the pay and bounty of soldiers, enlisted for spec flied term of service, and honorably discharged before the expiration of the term.
 One amendatory of the act of July 6, 1866, relative to bridging the Missis- sippi river, and the removal of the Ma tional Capitol to St. Louis.
 To regulate the charges of Express companies.
 One in reference to the taxation oi United States notes, National currency. etc., for State and municipal purposes
 To establish Department of Justice This bill provides for Secretary who is to be the head of the Law Depart ment, for an Attorney General, 50 licitor General, and an asslst,.nt io' each, and to abolish the office of Solic. itors to Departments. It forbids the employment of special counsel by the heads of departments, except where the whole force of the law department is ineffective. The Solicitor of tht Court of Claims is also placed within this department.
 l Also one concerning American citi' zenship, and the protection due Amer ican citizens abroad.
 This bill is intended as a substitute for the one now before the House. | declares that the rights of expatriatior and naturalization are part of the pub lie laws. of the United States, and re quires the Executive Department te afford such protection as may be with in it's power to all American citizens transacting lawful business in all parts of the world, and report at once to Con gress any case where such may be in terfeated with or denied in any foreigr country. If also provides that Ameri can citizenship may be lost by natural ization in foreign country, by taking service under foreign government ol by leaving the country without inten to return. It exccpts from the protec , ton of the government persons who expatriate themselves; who commi crimes in foreign countries; who hav' been abroad five years without payins tax annually to the United States those who enter the service of an. belligerent country against the neutrali ty law those who return to their nativ country with the intent of resumin! their domicile there; those who shal desert from actual service in the arm. or navy in any foreign State, or emi grate to avoid conscription actually or del led. l HubSard, of West Virginia, offered resolution directing the Secretary o War to trans,cit copies of all cores pondeuce between him aud the Execu tive limiting his authority as Secretar! of War to issue orders; all eorresnon dence between him and the General Ii Chief on the same subject, and all th' correspondence that may have beer furnished him, between the Presiden an.l the General in Chief, relating tt . I: ,havtug by the General of any