The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-02-25
congress.

FEBRUARY 17.-In the Senate, Mr. IrumbuH
introduced bill defining the Jurisdiction OF the
Courts of the United States as follows: g
All Courts of the United States shall be bound
by the acts of Congress on political questions );
and that it rests with Congress to determine what
government rs the established one in any State
and it is declared that no civil State governments
exist in the excluded States of the South, and
no so-caled civil government shall be recognized
by either the Executive OF Judicial power Of the
United States, until Congress shall so provide, or
until such State is represented IN the Congress
of the United States.
The Reconstruction acts are declared political
in their character the propriety or validity of
which no judicial tribunal is competent to ques-
ton and the Supreme Court of the United
State is hereby prohibited from taking jurisdic-
ton of any case growing out of the execution of
said acts, in either n the said States, until such
State shall be represented, etc. And such cases
now pending before that Court shall be dismissed,
and all acts authorizing any appeal, writ of error,
haLeas corpus, OF other proceedings, to bring be-
fore said Court, for review, any case, civil or
criminal, arising out of the execution of said Re-
| construction acts, are hereby repealed
Sumner presented a petition from citizens of
Massachusetts, praying the abolition of the Presi-
dental office, as dangerous to the Rupablic
One hundred New Jersey negroes asked for
500 each, to carry them to Liberia. A similar
petition from Massachusetts, negroes was pre-
scented.
In the House. Mr. Bingham introduced the
following which was referred to the Reconstruc-
ton Committee:
"Whereos, A large majority of the votes given
at an election held on the 9Th day of February,
1868, were for the Constitution presented by the
Convention of the people of the State of Ala
bama and whereas, certain combinations of citi-
zens within said State, refused to vote, with in
tent thereby to defeat the efforts of the friends Of
the Union to restore the said State to it's proper
relation to the Union therefore"
Be 1t enacted, DC, That the Legislature elected
under the new Constitution of Alabama, be con
vened at the Capital of said State as soon as
practical, by order of the United States Military
Commander within said State of Alabama, and
that, upon the ratification by the said Legisla-
ture, of the 18th article of amendments to the
Constitution of the United States. proposed by
the seth Congress. and the establishment by law
of impartial suffrage within said State, as author
lied by said Constitution Of Alabama, the said
State shall be admitted to representation in the
Congress of the United States in accordance with
the laws of the United States"
FEB. 1S.-The Military Committee of the
Senate has passed resolution respectfully re-
turning Gen Shermans nomination as Brevet-
General to command the new District created by
the President, including Washington city, with
a disapproval of the proposed grade.
The bill removing political disabilities will not
be reported Immediately. Mr. Stevens favors
further investigation. Stevens was authorized
to report his bill dividing Texas into four OF
more States.
Discussion has developed the fact that Thad.
Stevens and other Radical members of the House
will oppose Shermans bill admitting Alabama.
In the House. Mr. Butler introduced bill
smendatory to National Banks which was refer
red to the Committee of Banking and Currency.
1t provides, among other things, that every stock
holder may vote, according to the number of
shares he holds, in a certain proportion specified
in the bill.
Fifty thousand dollars were appropriated, to be
expended by the Secretary of State, to relieve
and bring home American citizens abroad ar
rested and subsequently released. Passed, III
to 90
a 4 bill was introduced increasing revolutionary
and War of 1912 pensions. 1t appropriates two
millions. Washburn, of Illinois, opposed the
bill, contendng that hundred and seyenty-two
millions would be expended under its operation.
The bill passed.
FEB. 19.-The Senate Judiciary Committee
reported in favor of indefinite postponement of
Sumner and brakes Supplemental Reconstruc
ton bill The Committee has amended the
House Supplemental bill making a majority ne
cessary to ratify the constitutions.
Senator Wilson introduced bill to restore
Alabama to the Union
A bill was introduced removing Governor
Holden's disabilities.
WASHINGTON Items