Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-05-14
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.

In the House, on the 4th instant, committee
of seven was appointed to investigate the Donnely
and Washburne case, with power to send for per.
sons and papers. A motion toexpunge Saturday
proceedings from the record caused much excite
ment, but was withdrawn after Donnely and Wash,
burne had concluded to take back their offensive
remarks Pending motion to adjourn, Donnely
asked leave that Washburune and he should imi-
tate Thomas and Stanton, and take drink. Wash
burne proclaimed himself temperance man. The
House, dismayed at this announcement, at once ad-
journed.
On the 5th in the House. the Speaker named
Banks, Thomas Griswold, Blair, Woodward and
Beck a committee to investigate Washburne's
charges against Donnely Brooks charge that
Brooks made Butler disgorge sixty thousand dol,
lars, which Butler had stolen in New Orleans, was
referred to the same committee. The question
from Boyer whether gold covered plate and spoons,
was answered by the speaker negatively, and a
proposition that the committee extend their inves.
tgation over Buffers entire administration at New
Orleans was rejected. Carey moved the withdraw
al Of the tenth article as untenable The Speaker
decided it privileged question, and, pending the
vote on its reception, the House adjourned
On the 9th, General Grant sent message to
Congress covering communication from General
Candy detailing the evil effects of compelling State
officers in North and South Carolina to take the
test OATH Many good men, acting with the Unior
party cannot take it. Other good men who coulc
take it decline doing so lest unworthy motives be
attributed to them. Grant expresses no opinion
on the subject, but merely transmits Gen. Canby'i
letter.
Donnely, in personal explanation to the
House, said that his proposition to take a drink
with Washburne, did not mean reconciliation, anc
that he did not intend to convey any such idea.
The remonstrance of the white people Of South
Carolina against the new constitution, was present
ed to Congress and referred to the Reconstruction
Committee.
On the 7th, in the House, Mr.. Robinson Offered
resolution expunging the impeachment resolu
tions from the journal. The Speaker declared i
not privileged question. Robinson said he woult
bring it up again it was mere question Of time
they will ultimately be expunged.
Stevens introduced bill for the admission o
Arkansas which was ordered to be printed, ant
the House adjourned. The bill is as follows:
"Whereas the people of Arkansas, in pursuance
of an act entitled an act to provide for the more
efficient government of the rebel States passed
March the second, 1867, and the acts supplement
tary therto, have framed and adopted constitu
ton of State Government which is republican il
form, and the Legislature of said State has dull!
ratified the amendment to the Constitution of th'
United States proposed by the Thirty ninth Con
gess, and known as article fourteen therefore,
"Be it enacted, that the State of Arkansas il
entitled andadmtted to representation in Congress
as one of the States of the Union, upon the follow
ing fundamental conditions: That the constitution
of Arkansas shall never be so amended or changed
so as to deprive any CITIZEN or class of citizens
the United States, of the right to vote, who en-
titled to vote by the constitution herein recognized
except as punishment for such crimes as are nov
felonies at common law, whereof the party shal
have been duly convicted"
In the House, on the Sth, the bill admitting Ar
kansas was under discussion. Stevens said he con
sidered the constitution unexceptionable, and die
not desire to debate the bill. Several members
complained that they had never seen the constitu
ton. After some farther discussion, Stevens de-
manded the previous question, which was ordered.