Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-07-25
CONGRESSIONAL.

Ia the Ssnate yesterday, Mr.. Wilson
insrod uced the following joint resolution,
which passed: l.0t. t.'tr'tias Nfl
Resolred, etc.. That the persons now
holding civil Offices in the provisional
governments OF Virginia and Texas who
cannot take aud subscribe to the oath
prescribed BY the act entitled "an act
n prescribe an oath of Office, and for
other purposes" approved July 2, 1862,
shall, on the passage OF this resolution,
be- removed therefrom and 1t shall be
the duty Of the district commanders to
Gil the vacancies so created by the APP
pointment Of all persons who can take
said oath. ~
In the House, the Senate bill, relating
10 the punishment Of certain crimes
against the United States, was passed.
An unsuccessful attempt was then made
10 reconsider the resolution taking
recess.
The Conference Committee on the
postal laws made q report which was
agreed to.
Mr.. Bingham, from the Reconstruction
Committee, reported bill entitled An
act 10 provide for more speedy reor-
rapization of the States Of Virginia, Mis-
sissippi and Texas, and for other pur-
poses" The FIRST section authorizes the
Constitutional Conventions of Texas
Mississippi and Virginia, heretofore
elected, TO exercise the following powers
in addition TO the powers now authorized
by law, viz: To make removals and APP
peiutments Of all officers Of the pro-
yisional governments; to authorize the
provisional governments to remove
and appoint registers and judges of
elections; to be eligible to any cleo
tive Office, and TO organize and nominate
a constabulary force to preserve the
peace and aid in the execution OF the
laws; to provide for the reassembling of
the Convention; for holding elections,
particularly on the ratification OF the
Constitutions, and to pass such ordi-
nances not inconsistent with the Con-
stitution and laws of the United States
as they may deem necessary to protect
all persons therein, in their lives, liberty
and property. The second section pro-
yides that the ordinances to be passed by
such conventions shall be enforced by
the provisional governments until disap-
proved by Congress, and are not
TO be construed into denial of the
right to a jury trial for offenses against
the laws of the United States The
third section requires the military com.
mauders to give aid in preserving the
peace, enforcing the laws, and especially
10 suppressing unlawful distractions and
forcible resistance to the execution of
The laws. The fourth section provides
for the reassembling of the Mississippi
and Virginia Conventions on the fourth
Wednesday after the passage of this act,
which shall proceed to form constitutions
and submit the same to the people. The
fifth section repeals all laws conflicting
with this act The bill was originally
presented to the committee By Mr.,
Roane.
Mr.. Lawrence, Of Ohio, offered an
amendment, which was adopted. 1t is
as follows:
1t makes it penal offense, punishable
with fine aud imprisonment, for any
person in said States to vote or act as
officers in the ensuing Presidential cleo
ton, and making it the duty of the
President to prohibit such thing. The
bill vas then passed by yeas, III; Maya,
IL strict party vote.
On the motion of Mr.. 2chenck, com.
mittee of conference was asked on the
Funding bill, and Messrs. Schenck,
Logan and Boutwell, were appointed.