The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-01-21

pfselyessfo H
declaring the reasons of the President for re-
moving Stanton from the War Department In
sufficient, and that they do not therefore, concur
in the act of suspension The vote on the pas
sage of the resolution was, yeas 35, nays g. The
Senate then ordered certified copy of the reso-
luton sent to the President Grant and Stanton.
Senator Thayer will introduce bill to feiace
| the number of Major Generals to four, and of
Brigadier Generals to nine The object of which
is to legislate out of commission Gen. Hancock
and Gen. Rousseau.
The following is the ''eight-hou bill passed
| by the House of Representatives last week:
| Be It enacteo1, That eight hours shall consti-
tute a days work for all laborers, workmen and
mechanics now employed, or who may be here
after employed, by or On behalf of the Govern
ment of the United States; and that all acts and
parts of acts inconsistent with this act be, and
the same are hereby, repealed.
| JAN. lin the Senate a petition pre-
scented for appropriation to charter a vessel
and buy provisions for the suffering poor in
Sweden; also resolution for gradually reducing
the army; bill removing political disabilities
from Gov. Patton bill amending the act for
the safety of travellers by steam vessels; bill
reducing the number of Major and Brigader
Generals and bill restoring lands confscated
| by States lately in rebellion.
| The Davis amendment to the Constitution pro-
viding tribunal to determine Constitutional
questions was discussed.
| In the House, the Committee on Ways and
Means reported the cotton tax bill as amended
| by the Senate with resolution Of non-concur-
renee. Adopted.
| A bill was reported by the Appropriation Com
mittee for payment of claims on account of selz-
ures and damages to vessels, cars, wagons or for
lands occupied for Notifications in the South
during the war. Laid over.
| The Reconstruction Committees bill was re-
sumed and discussed.
| The Speaker read communication from Gen.
Grant, covering the following from Gen. Meade:
"Unless the pending bill in Congress directing
the military to fill the Offices in their depart
ments rcscinds the test oath in the provision to
select qualified voters, am informed that its ex-
ecution in this department will be entirely I'M
practicable. Adjourned.
JAN. 15.-In the Senate, the chair presented
a memorial from the Mississippi Board of Regis
traticn setting forth the general desttution in
that State. The memorial says if something is
not done soon the Government must provide a
large burying ground.
Mr. Morton presented petition from 4, 900
negroes of the District of Columbia asking for
labor on the public works, stating that they were
excluded from competition, and white men refuse
to work with them. A joint resolution paying
Spain $50, 600 for steamer seized by Sherman
at Port Royal passed. The Authorization bill
(Which prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury
from curtailing the circulation of paper money!
resumed and passed. with verbal amend
ment. The amendment forbidding expansion
failed
In the House. the Committee on Public Lands
reported adversely the bill giving public lands
to negroes under the homestead laws The bill
amending the homestead law, and allowing set
tiers to make necessary afhdavts before clerks of
county courts, passed.
The consideration of the new reconstruction bill
was resumed. Mr. Wood of n. Y, having the floor,
characterized the bill as a monstrcsity. and the
most infamous act of all this infamous Congress-
Mr. Bingham called Wood to order. Mr. Ross
suggested that Wood should modify. by saying
''so-callcd infamous Congress-" The Speaker
decided Woods remarks out of order Wood
refused to modify them. The House. by party
vote, refused to hear " God further. Mr. Dawes
offered resolution of ccnsure, which passed by
a party vote, when " God came before the bar of
the House and was censurcd.
Mr. Butler gave notice of an amendment, de-
| caring all Offices vacant in the Southern States
and authorizing the Conventions to fill them, and
making it the duty Of the District Commanders
to confirm and install the Conventions appoin-
tees. The further consideration was postponed.
and the House adjourned.
JAN. 16.-In the Senate, the question con
corning the cotton tax came up, and a motion
was made that the Senate recede from it amend
mcnts, but insert proyiso exempting imported
cotton from duty. after July. The matter was
postponed.
The chair presented a communication from f.
VI. Stanton Secretary of War, enclosing list of
volunteer officers in the service.
tn the House the new reconstruction bill was
discussed