Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-02-22
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
Senate


WAsHIEGToN, Feb. 2l.-Mr. Sumner
presented petition from negroes of Ken
lucky, praying that since slavery had been
abolished, a law be passed, or the constitu-
ton SO amended, that no State shall abridge
the privileges Of any citizen of the United
States.
Mr. Williams introduced bill to pro.
vide for registration elections in terrific
ries. Referred to the Committee on Ter
ritoTies.
Mr.. Patterson, of Tennessee, introduced
bill to change the time of holding the
District and Circuit Courts in Tennessee.
Referred to the Committee on the Judi
ciary.
Mr.. Howe introduced bill to organize
a commission to examine claims on the
War Department. Referred to the Judi
ciary Committee.
Mr.. Sumner offered resolution, which
was adopted, requesting the President to
communicate copies of any correspondence
on the subject of the abduction of Allen
Mcdonald, an American citizen in Can
ada.
The Senate took up the special order, be-
ing bill to amend the reconstruction act
that a majority of votes cast shall decide
elections, and to allow persons registered
to vote in any part of State Without
reaching a vote, the Senate went into Ex-
ecutive session.
After coming out of Executive session,
| the Senate at $50 adjourned.
HOuse Of Representatives.
Tomorrow will be devoted to debates
only.
Mr.. Baldwin, from the Joint Committee
on Library, reported an international copy
right bill, which was ordered to be printed
and recommitted, with leave to Mr.. Pruyn
to make minority report.
Mr.. jerks, from the Committee on Pat
ents, reported bill granting leave for the
extension of the patent of Smith & Wesson.
Passed-SS to 80.
The Speaker presented the following
letter, which was referred, from the Com
mittee on Expenditures in the Postofffce
Department
PosTOFFICE DEPARTMENT-Hon Schny-
Ter ColfaX, Speaker of the House of Rep
resentatives-Sir: | have Just read, with
establishment, the details of some testimony
in the Daily Globe tending to implicate
me in letting contracts for CARRYING
the Southern mails. / have never
heard of some of the men men
Toned in the testimony before. No man
ever approached me with any such
propositions as are indicated in that
testimony; | never heard of such project
before ! never do business in that way,
nor any Of that kind of business. | ask
thorough investigation, not only in the
matter indicated by that testimony, but of
every other transaction of the Postofice
Department since l have beeR connected
with it. / also respectfully ask that this
investigation be open and published to the
world. If this is the proper mode of pre-
senting wishes to the House of Representa-
tives, will be obliged if this letter can be
laid before that body. Very respectfully.
ALEXANDER w. RANDALL,
Postmaster General.
After some unimportani business, the
House went into Committee of the Whole
on the state of the Union. Mr.. Dawes,
Chairman.
On the naval appropriation bill, which
appropriates SIS, 1880
After debate, Mr. Butler offered an
amendment, providing that all unexpended
balances, subject to the order of the Secre-
tsry of the Navy on the LIST of January,
1868, shall be conveyed into the treasury,
and no amount appropriated by the bill
shall be expended or drawn while any
other unexpended monies are subject to the
order Of the Secretary of the Navy.
Agreed to-
The committee arose, and the Speaker
presented message from the President in
reference to the execution of the treaty of
1853 with China, for the settlement of
claims, which was referred to the Commit
tee on Foreign Affairs. Also q message
from the War Department transmitting a
communication from the Chief of the En-
giEeer Corps in reference to a ship canal
around the falls of the Ohio. Referred to
the Committee on Roads and Canals.
The communication from the Secretary
of War ALREADY telegraphed) was referred
to the Committee on Reconstruction, with
iCstruc tons 10 report at any time.
Mr.. Butler moved that the order OF the
House BY which the session tomorrow was
assigned to general debate, be rescinded.
A communication was made to the House
by the Secretary of War, stating that now
there were two Secretaries of War-oue bY
law and one by usurpation.
Mr.. Eldridge made point of order that
the motion was not debstable.
The House proceeded TO vote by ayes
and noes, and the motion carried-ayes
104, noes AZ.
The House again went into committee of
the whole on the naval appropriation bill.
and soon after reported the bill TO the
House, and on motion of Mr.. Washburne.
OF Illinois, was postponed till Monday.
Mr.. Covode asked, as question of priyi-
lege, 70 offer the following resolution
Resolved, That Andrew johnson, Pre-
sident ofthe United States, be impeached
for high crimes and misdemeanors.
Laughter among the Democratic mem
hers.
Mr. Wood objected to the Introduction
Of the resolution.
The Speaker stated that the resolution
was a question Of privilege
Mr.. Boutwell, moved the reference of the |
resolution to the Reconstruction Commit
tee, which Ess agreed 10.
Adjourned.
miscellaneous.
DurrAna Eah 81 TTrssoI Co.. l.