Des Arc weekly citizen. [volume] (Des Arc, Ark.) 1867-187?, 1868-02-22

WASHINGTON, Feb. II.

Senate.-lnc Cnalr announced tuat
Mr.. johnson was unwell, and desired
TO vote on the admission of Thomas
action was postponed until tomorrow.
Mcssrs. Frelinghuyscn and Sumner
presented petitions of freedmen to DC
sent to Liberia. MIR. Sumner presented
memorial from German citizens for
the Adjustment of the presidency OF
the United States, on the ground of its
copy to royalty and being dangerous
to the United States. Mr.. Pomeroy
presented memorial from the South
Carolina convention, for aid to the
Port Royal r. r. Co. Mr.. Trumbull
presented memorial from citizens of
Illinois, for aid in the construction of
deep water navigation between Lake
Michigan and the Mississippi river
All were appropriately referred.
Mr.. TrumbHll, from committee on
judiciary, reported substitute for the
House bill referred to committee on
December 10Th, providing that hereaf-
ter any election authorized by The re-
construction act of March %, 1867,
shall be decided by the majority of the
/ votes cast at the election at which the
question of the adoption or rejection
of any constitution is submitted any
person duly registered may votein any
part of the state wherein he shall have
been registered and where he may re-
side at the time of said election, upon
presentation of his certificate of regis
tration, under such regulations as the
district commander shall provide.
Mr.. Trumbull introduced a bill,
which was referred to committee on
Judiciary, defining the jurisdiction of
the courts of the United States in cer-
tain cases. 1t affirms that the appealed
decisions that the supreme court have
decided the judiciary power of the
of the United States; does not embrace
political power; it declares that all
/ courts of the United States, in the adj
miristration of justice, shall be bound
by the decisions of the political depart
ments of the government on political
questions; and that il rests with con-
gress to decide what government is the
established one in a state. 1t having
declared that no civil state government,
republican in form, exists in the states
of Virginia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississip-
pi, Florida, Arkansas and Texas, no
civil governments in either of said
states shall be recognized as valid or
legal state governments, either by the
executive or judicial power of the Uni
ted States, until congress shall so pro-
vide, or until such state government is
Represented in congress; and it is fur
Their affirmed that the reconstruction
act of March ,, 1867, and acts supple
mental thereto, are political in charac-
ter, the propriety and validity (which
no judicial tribunal is competent 10
question, and the supreme court OF the
United States is hereby prohibited from
taking jurisdiction in any case grow
ing out of the execution of said acts in
either of said states, until such stat0s
shall be represented IN congress, orun-
til congress sliail recognize the state
governments as rppah,iean il form
all such cases pending in said court
shall be dismissed, and al acts author
izing an appeal, writ of egros, habeas
corpus, or other proceedings to bring
before said supreme court any case,
civil or criminal, or other proceedings
arising ont of the execution of said re-
construction acts, or authorizing an APP
peal from the circuit court in habeas
corpus proceeding TO supreme court,
or which authorizes the supreme court
before it for review any judgement OF
a lower court in habeas corpus cases,
is hereby repealed. Mr.. Wilson re-
ported from the military committee q
bill for the gradual reduction of the
army and to discontinue unnecessary
grades therein. Mr.. Edmonds from
the committee OH the judiciary to
| whom was referred bill for the fur
ther security of equal rights in the Dis.
trict of Columbia, introduced bill to
regulate presentation of bills to the
president.
On motion of Mr.. Sumner the presi-
dent was requested TO communicate any
information concerning the alleged in
reference of the consul at Rome with
the late difficulties in Italy.
The senate considered the resolution
for the admission OF Mr.. Thomas, OF
maryland. Mr.. Cole advocated it. Mr..
Drake gave notice of an amendment
that Mr.. Thomas could not take the
oath or hold his seat. Mr.. Hendricks
spoke in favor of his admission.
House-A large number of bills and
joint resolutions were introduced and
referred, including the following pro-
viding greenbacks to be exempt from
state taxation to provide levees and
secure by law the lands of Arkansas
and Missouri from inundations, and
encourage settlement: by Bingham, u
bill to restore the state of Alabama to
representation in congress, was referr-
| ed.
| The committee on reconstruction re-
ported bill as follows:
WHEREAS, A large majority Of votes
given at The election held February 9th,
were for the constitution which was
presented by the convention to the