Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-02-05
CONGRESSIONAL.
Proceedings in the Senate

| WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.-The chair pre-
sented the credentials of D. w. Upton
Senator from Nebraska.
Mr.. Nye presented the credentials o
| w. Stuart, Senator elect from Nevada.
The constitutional amendment came
up at the expiration of the morning
lear.
Pending the amendment it was moved
by Mr.. Stewart TO substitute for joint
resolution, as it passed the House the
report of the Judiciary Committee of the
Senate The right of citizens to vote and
hold Office shall not be denied or abridged
by the United States or any State on
account of race, color, and previous con-
dition of servitude.
Mr.. Gray made an elaborate vindica-
ton Of the representative from Connect
cut, in which Mr.. Dixon had spoken oft
as rotten borough.
Mr.. Schenck said he was instructed by
the Ways and Means Committee to pro-
pose there be no action tosnight on the
tax bill, as the whisky and tobacco
amendments were not yet printed and
the committee wanted to raise them, but
that the evening session should be held
for general debate. Agreed to.
Amendments reported by Committee
of the Whole, to the Indian appropriao
ton bill, was taken up and acted on by
the House. After an excited discussion
the bill passed.
Morton prepared therefore, an affirma.
tive amendment, declaring who shall have
the right Of suffrage, making it uniform,
and leaving nothing on the subject open
to forced construction, or to the construc>
ton ofany State.
Warner read an argument in favor of
an affirmative amendment.
The Senate took up and passed the bill
to provide for the expenses of the patent
office for January and February, 1869.
Williams offered the following amend
ment, upon which he will speak to-mor-
row Congress shall have power to abo!>
ish or modify any restoration Of rights, to
vote or hold Office, prescribed by the con-
stitution or laws Of any State.
Mr.. Cottell introduced bill to provide
for the conversion Of registered bonds of
the u. s. into coupon bonds, which was
referred to the Committee on Finance. 1t
authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury
to issue upon such terms, and under such
regulations as he may from time to
time prescribe coupon bonds in exchange
for lieu of registered bonds which have
been or may hereafter be lawfully issued,
such bonds to be similar in all respects
to coupon bonds issued under acts
authorizing the issue of registered bonds
offered for exchange.
Mr.. Howe, from the Committee on
Claims, reported favorably on the bill to
pay loyal citizens in States lately in re-
bellion, for services in taking the United
States of 1860.
Proceedings In the House.
After the reading Of the journal, the
Sergeant>at arms appeared at the door Of
the House with Henry johnson, the wit
ness committed yesterday to his keeping.
He having testified before the committee
on the New York election frauds, was dis
charged from custody.
Florence Scournell was also brought
to the bar of the House and discharged.
Mr.. Schenck offered the following
privilege resolution:
Resolved, That James f. Wilson, of
Iowa, and John V. Pruyn, of New
York, be appointed tellers on the part of
the House of Representatives., to count
electoral votes for President and Vice
President of the United States.
The Speaker stated that for obvious
reasons, the Chair desired the House 10
take the responsibility Of making those
appointments. Agreed.
Senate joint resolution in directing
the Secretary of the interior to annul
the stationery contract with Dempsey Il
OTool was passed, with amendment
striking out the direction giving contract
to Mather Il Blanchard.
Senate joint resolution authorising the
transfer of certain appropriations, part
of which is made for public printing,
building, and engraving, was passed
Ssnate joint resolution extending to
reconstructed States the benefits Of the
Agricultural College. The bill was re~
ferred to the Committee on Public Lands.
Senate bill to amend the act OF Feb.
ruary IS, 1862, to prohibit Coolie trade
in India ships was passed