Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-01-14
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.

Congress after its holiday vacation, re-assembled
on the 5th instant In view of the short session
which is before it-a little less than two months
aud on the eve of new Administrations is
doubtful whether any new or very important mea-
sures will be undertaken, but attention will be con.
fined to the consulnmatioD of what has been nitia-
ted. Reconstruction being, in measure, disposed
Of, the finances will probably engross large share
of attention An examination of the work done
the short time the houses were in session in De-
eember, shows the passage by. both Houses Of but
two bills of general importance relating to
the militia in the Southern States, and that ex-
tending the time for afixing tobacco stamps. The
other bills were either for removal of disabilities,
or were otherwise local in their character.
On the 5th, in the House, Butler introduced
bill providing for the transit of citizens through
the States It forbids the arrest of persons passing
through States Of which he is not citizen, unless
he tarres over forty-eight hours, on any civil pro-
cess, and provides penalties for serving such writs
on passing citizens. 1t will be remembered that
Butler was arrested at the close Of the last session.
while passing through Baltimore, at the instance
of several persons who represented that they had
been defrauded by him. Buffers object is doubt.
less, in introducing the bill, to protect himself
from similar annoyance in the future.
In the Senate, Stewart introduced a bill for the
purpose of reconstructing Georgia. 1t rescinds
the reconstruction act of July 25, 1868, 80 far as
it applies to Georgia. but retains all the officers Of
the State and members of the Legislature, except
those disqualified by the Fourteenth Amendment
1t provides for the re-assembing Of the Convention
in March to amend the constitution, which shall
be submitted to the people and then TO Congress.
Meantime, the Georgia Government shall be pro-
visional. The bill was referred to the committee
on the Judiciary. .....-. .......al ,.....
The bill, passed just previous to the holiday re.
cess, authorizing the reorganization Of the mill
tia in North and South Carolina, Florida, Alaba-
ma aud Mississippi, was signed by Wade, the
President Of the Senate and Colfax, the Speaker
of the House, and sent to the President 1t is
presumed that the latter will veto it upon the
ground that Congress has no power over the mill,
tia 10 the States in time of peace. ........
4 motion to refer the Presidents amnesty proc
lamation to the Judiciary Committee with instruc-
tions to report regarding its legality provoked an
argument, in which Ferry, Howard, Frelinghuysen
and Conkliug spoke. adversely to the Presidents
powers. e.. g. .,.,,.. .,...,. ,
On the 9th, in the Senate, a bill was introduced
forbiddipg the holding Of two Offices at the same
time-ciyil and militIy-under the government
The object Of this is probably to prevent General
Grant from appointing an officer Of the Navy as
Secretary Of the Navy, and an officer Of the army
as Secretary Of War, and permit them to receive
salary for each position. The bin vas introduced
by Wilson, Of Massachusetts, who,it is understood
wishes to be Secretary Of War himself It s be;
lieved that Grant desires to retain scho6sH, blt
should this bill become Law, General sehofeH
would be thrown out, unless be would consent to