Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-01-17
CONGRESSIONAL.


The House Committee on Foreign AZ.
fairs has postponed, for two months, con.
sidcration Of the Russian purchase.
Senator Sumner introduced joint res
olution declaring valid the proposed four
teenth article OF the Constitution, /, hav.
ing been adopted by twenty two States.
Ii ia proposed TO enact n law by Con-
gress making u majority of two thirds OF
the Supreme Court Judges necessary for
the decision Of the eonstitutiouality of
law OF Congress, aud also reducing the
quorum Of the Supreme Court from six to
Senator Doolittle gave notice that he
should move to amend Mr.. Mortou's prop
osition 10 invalidate the Provisional Gov.
srnments Of The Southern States by
provision that all persons voting must be
possessed OF one Of these three qualities
tions: First, must have served in the
army one year or more; second, must
have sufficient education to read the Con
stitution of the United States and sub
scribe his name; third, must be possessed
Of freehold property to the amount OF
$3.50.
Mr. Boutwell, introduced bill in the
House, on Monday, providing for the sale
to freedmen, on three years credit, of all
abandoned lands in the South, In lots not
exceeding ten acres in size. The House
Committee on the Freedmen's Bureau will
report in favor Of continuing il in each OF
the Southern States until the State shall
be admitted into the Union and its repre-
sentatives admitted TO Congress. The
Report Of the Committee on Reconstruc.
ton was made To the House. Itwas made
the special order of the day, and every
day until disposed Of. AT the expiration
OF the morning hour, the Senate went in
to Executive session, aud after five hours
spent in debate. adopted the resolution
with which the report Of Senator Howard
on the Presidents Stanton message con
cluded, thereby reinstating Secretary
Stanton.
The House, on Monday, after q long
and exciting debate. passed bill, report
ed by the judiciary Committee, which
provides that five judges shall constitute
a quorum of the supreme Court. aud that
no law Of Congress shall be held TO be
unconstitutional. unless two.thirds of the
Judges of the Supreme Court shall con-
eur In an opinion to that effect.
In the Senate, on Tuesday Mr.. Will
liams, of Oregon, introduced a resolution.
which was laid on the table, instructing
the Committee on Finance TO inquire into
the expcdency OF the funding aud con
solidaIion Of the debt Of the United
States into IN obligation whose principal
shall never become due. bearing interest
at four per cent. per apnum, payable semi
annually, in eoin, aud exemp. from ali
taxation.
The bill regarding quorum Of The Su.
preme Court cane back from the House
as amended. aud was referred TO fhe Com.
mltiee on the Judiciary. Mr. Shernaul
took occasion to say that he deemed the
amendments very important; that 1t was
contrary 10 reason and common sense that
bare majority Of the Court should pro
nounce Nh act OF Congress unconstitu
tional, aud he hoped the Committee would
consider the propriety Of making the re
quisiie majority larger than the one named
in the House amendment.
On motion Of Mr.. Sherman, the Anti
Contraction bill was taken up. Amend.
meuts limiting and qualifying its opera
ton were proposed by Messrs. Drake, Cor.
beit, aud Morrill, o. Vermont, all Of which
we're lost. Senator Sprague BEGAN 81
speech on the bill. which was not flushed
before the adjournment lie opposed the
bill because II would accomplish nothing
tie said the interests Of money must be
subordinate to every other interest OF the
country, and the only safety of the coun-
try is Ia the establishment of IN institu
ton like the Bank of England.
In the House, the Cotton Tax bill was
reported from the Committee Of Ways
aud Means, with a recommendation thai
the Senate amendment be concuned
in, aud il was not.
The Committee of Ways and Means
was, on motion OF Mr.. Eggleston. instruct.
ed to inquire into the expediency of SELL
ing to the highest bidder the exclusive
right Of manufacturing spirits in the Uni
ted States, but the privilege not to be sold
for less than $4,000, 600.
General Grant sent to the House q tel
egram from General Meade, which stated
that unless the pending bill in Congress,
directing military commanders to fill the
Offices 10 the States under their com.
mand rescinds the test oath in the provi-
sion to select qualified voters, its exeeu
ton in his district will be entirely i'm
practicable.
The Reconstruction Bill was then Ia
ken up. Mr.. Brooks, Of New York, pre-
senied minority report in the form OF
reasons why he bill ought not to pass.
which was signed by himself and Mr.
Breck, OF Kentucky. Mr.. bingham made
a powerful speech in favor of the bill.
Mr.. Loan also advocated the bill, aud Mr..
Wood, OF New York, opposed IL.