Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-01-20
CONGRESSIONAL.
Proceedings I'm the Senate.

WASHINGTON, Jan. l9.-The Presi-
dents reply to the resolution of inquiry
relative to his amnesty proclamation, was
read.
Mr.. Ferry expressed regret that the
President confined himself to giving no
light upon the question of the right Of
the Executive to grant general amnesty.
On motion of Mr.. Sumner, the Commit
tee on Foreign Affairs was discharged
from the further consideration of the mes
sage Of the President relative to affairs in
1 Japan.
| Mr.. Thayer offered the following joint
resolution as an amendment to the con-
| stitution: No male citizen Of the United
States, twenty-one years of age and up
wards, shall be deprived Of the right to
vote at any election held by the people of
the United States for national, State or
municipal Offices or for representation
in Congress, unless guilty of crime of
which he has been duly convicted by law.
The resolution was tabled.
The Senate resumed the consideration
of the copper bill.
Proceedings SIN the House.
Mr.. Paine called the attention of the
House to letter read by him from the Ad-
jutant General of the Army, in response to
q resolution calling for information as to
the number Of enlisted men now serving
in Virginia, Texas and Mississippi who
had been citizens or residents of South~
ern States, or who had served in the
Rebel army; the Adjutant General
stating that there is no means of procur-
ing this information except by individual
inquiry.
Mr.. Payne asked that the resolution
be rescinded, which was done.
Mr.. Ely, from the Committee on Prints
ing, reported resolution providing for
the printing of twenty thousand copies of
the report of the special commissioner of
revenue, with appendix, for the use Of
the House, and one hundred thousand
bound copies for the Treasury Depart,
ment.
Mr.. Kelly addressed the House in OPP
position to the resolution.
After some discussion, vote was taken
and the resolution adopted.
n6 hOuSo tuou IcSulIou tuO COuSluCA
alton of the bill reported by Mr.. Ashley,
of Ohio, from the Committee on Terrific
ries, to preserve the purity of elections in
the several organized districts.
Mr.. Phelps offered amendments, pro-
viding for the representation of minorities,
and argued in defence of the propositions
rejected.
The bill passed, 6l to So. 1t provides
for the appointment of for canvassers in
each county, two from each political par
ty, and makes detailed provisions for the
conduct of elections.
The House then proceeded to business
on Speakers table and, disposed OF the
same as follows:
Senate concurrent resolution instruct
ing the Joint Committee to revise and fix
the pay of officers of both houses. Passed.
Senate substitute for House bill amend !
atory of an act relating to habeas corpus,
regulating judicial proceedings in certain
cases.
The substitute provides for the trans
fer from State to Federal courts of suits
brought against express, railroad and
steamship companies, etc, for loss Of
property, in transit, caused by the late
war After discussion, the substitute
was agreed to.
Senate amendment to House bill
amendatory to the act passed 18th of Feb
rusry, 1861, to prescribe the mode of
obtaining evidence in the contested cleo
ton cases was non concurred in, and a
committee of conference asked for.
Senate bill granting lands and rights
of way to the Denver & Pacific railroad
company and telegraph company was
taken up, several amendments offered,
and the bill and amendments ordered
printed.