The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1869-12-23
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, Dec.

w NAsHlNGIONt DtS- H.
In the Senate, yesterday, a large
number of memorials were presented,
and bill introduced to abolish the
franking privilege. A resolution was
also introduced protesting against al
lowing the departure of the Spanish
gunboats built at New York. The bill
10 further define and regulate the iu-
risdiction of tn courts of the United
States was taken up and discussed at
length. 4 bill was introduced provi-
ding for the further Reconstruction"
of The State of Georgia.
In the House, Mr.. Butler, from the
committee on reconstruction, reported
three bills looking to the early admis-
sion of the State of Virginia. There
does not seem now to be much doubt
of the admission of the State before the
holidays, although the house has resol-
we'd 10 adjourn over from the 22nd of
December to the 9TH of January. The
House is clearly not in favor of re-
newal of the reciprocity treaty, for by
a vote of 42 to l29. it adopted resolu-
tion offered by Mr.. Peters, of Maine,
declaring that a renewal of the treaty
should not be considered in the present
condition of affairs. The house made
very little progress with the census
bill, and only reached the twenty-sec-
ond section. Mr.. Butler introduced
another bill for amnesty in exception
al cases. 1t is thought before the end
of the present Congress a general am
nesty act will be reported. The bank
ing and currency committee was di-
rected to inquire into the causes of the
late gold excitement in New York.
\ resolution was offered instructing the
judiciary committee to inquirel wheth-
er Lewis Mckenzie, of Alexandria, is
entitled to a seat in the House. 1t was,
however, laid on the table, as it invol-
we'd the question of the constitutional
ity Of the retrocession of Alexandria
county to Virginia. A bill was passed
to remove political disabilities from a
number Of Southern citizens.
WASHINGTON, Dee. Is.
The Senate yesterday agreed to the
House joint resolution to take recess
from the 22d instant to the 5th of Jan
uary. Senator Brownlow, of Tennes-
see, had read by request, a long perso-
nal explains ton in relation to affairs in
his State. Mr.. Carpenter called up his
resolution declaring as the sense of the
Senate that the Spanish gunbOats des-
tined for Cuba should not be allowed
to depart from the United States. Mr.
Carpenter made an able speech in ia
favor Of his resolution, and Mr.. Sum-
ner replied. The resolution from the
House to define the meaning the eight
hour law was then taken up and dis
cussed until the hour Of adjournment.
In the House Il resolution was offer
ed by Mr.. Jones of Kentucky, declar-
ing that in the death of George Pea
body, this country, and the world have
sustained an irreparable loss, and reci-
ting the fact that the Queen Of Great
Britain, heauthorities Of London, and
the Emperor of France have made ex-
traordinary provision for the transfer
of Mr.. Peabody's remains to his native
land, authorizing the President 10 or
der a. many ships of the line as may
be convenient and adequate to the oc-
casion TO meet the European convoy
at sea and conduct it to these shores,
and 20 make such other preparations
for the reception of the body as are
commensurate with the merits ofthe de-
ceased and with the dignity Of thee
try. The resolution was laid over un-
till Monday next. A large number of
of bills were introduced and referred,
among them one providing for specie
payments, and another to remove all
political disabilities imposed by the
fourteenth amendment. The census
bill was then taken up and consider
ed until the hour of adjournment.