Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-04-01
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.

On the 2Sd, the Senate closed the long debate
on the tenure ofofice bill, by recommitting it to
the Judiciary Committee, with instructions to re-
port it in such shape as would unite the hands
of the President Mr.. Anthony, of Rhode Island,
was elected President of the Senate pro tenn. du'
ring the absence of Mr.. Colfax. A bill to amend
the Judicial System of the United States was
passed.
In the House, Mr.. Butler reported the Senate
resolution for joint committee for the removal Of
political disabilities, and it was passed. During
the discussion, Butler announced his intention to
introduce bill to remove disabilities from every
man now loyal to the Union regardless Of past
offences, and did notthint they could have recon
struction on any other basis.
On the oath, new enure-of-ofice bill was re.
poted from the Judiciary Committee, prohibiting
the President from removing persons in Office, but
allowing him to suspend any officer during recess
of Congress- on condition that he report such sus'
pension to the Senate within thirty days after the
next meeting of Congress, and nominate success
sor. In case the Senate refuses to approve the
suspension and confirm the nomination, the sus.
pended officer will resume his Office at the end Of
the session. The bill was passed by vote of 81
to Is, the Democrats generally voting against it.
In the House, Mr.. Paine, of Wisconsin, intro
duced "a bill to enforce the third section of the four
tenth constitutional amendment. Itprovides that
every person who is ineligible to Office under that
section, and who holds or attempts to hold Office
in any State or Territory, and every civil or militia.
ry officer who has authority TO remove such person
and does not exercise it, shall be guilty Of mis-
demeanor, and shall be liable to fine not less than
$500 nor more than $4,000, and imprisonment not
more than five years nor less than sixty days.
On the 25th, nothing of importance was done in
the Senate. In the House, the Senate tenure-of'
office bill came up and, after lengthy debate was
referred to the Judiciary Committee.
On the 26th, the Senate considered the bill to
increase the circulation Of National banks but no
action was taken. In executive session, the Sen
ate confirmed all the nominations recently made
by the President, except those of Longstreet and
two others. A severe struggle is expected on the
question of confirming Longstreet's nomination.
The Democratic Senators have agreed among them
selves to vote for it; but there is strong opposl
tion from Senators of double-e1tra, superfne 10y
atty" and the gallant general prospects for hold
ing Office are decidedly blue.
In the House, the vote referring the tenure-of-
Office bill to the Judiciary Committee was recon-
sidered, and the House refused concurrence to it,
in the form in which it came from the Senate. 1t
is probable that the whole subject will be left to
committee of conference from both branches of
Congress.
On the 9th, neither House of Congress wss in
Session.
On the 29th, the Senate resumed the conside-
ration of the tenure.ofof6ce bill, and resolution
asking the House. for committee Of conference
was adopted, by vote of q to 20.
In the House, substitute for the Senate bill to
rc-organize the Supreme Court was passed. A
resolution, exempting salt, tea, coffee, sugar and
tobacco was tabled by vote of lO4 to 40.