Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-02-27
TELEGRAPH NEWS.
FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. q.
Congressional.

Congressional.
In the Senate, to day, resolution to with
hold certain portion of the bonds, so as to
secure the completion of the first class Pacific
Railroad, was discussed and laid over.
Mr.. Schenck's bill to strengthen the credit
of the Government was also discussed un-
til the expiration of the morning hour, when
the Army Appropriation bill was taken up.
IN the House of Representatives, the Louisi
ana contested election case was taken up.
Mr. Blackburn moved that Simon Jones be
entitled to seat, which motion was lost.
The resolution Of the Committee on Eec-
tons that Jones is not entitled to a seat was
then passed.
A resolution declaring the seat vacant, and
that neither Hunt or Menard are entitled to
a seat was then taken up and after some
squabbling, the contestants we're, by a nearly
unanimous vote, allowed fifteen minutes each
to state their claims The Speaker decided
that Menard was entitled to the floor first. A
motion that Menard be allowed to speak from
the CLERK $ stand, was objected to, amid laugh
ter. Menard appeared at one of the desks on
the Radical side, near Butler, Scofeld and
Schenck, and began his speech by thanking
the House for the privilege Of appearing on
the floor in his own behalf and said that he
would be recreant to the nine thousand of his
own race, ii he did not vindcato their rights.
He said that he claimed no special privilege on
account of bis color. He Is a dark mulatto)
and then proceeded to urge his claim to seat.
Mr. Hunt, through a member, declined to
occupy the time allowed him or to discuss his
right to scat.
Disabilities.
The Reconstruction Committee of the House,
at their meeting yesterday had under consid-
Grafton tie Senate's substitute to the House
bill, No. 1746-being the first of the bills for
the removal Of disabilities, when it was decided
10 add to the bill the names of Judges Camp
bell and Watson, of Virginia, also about one
hundred aud fifty names Of persons from North
Carolina 1t was further decided to strike out
of the bill the names Of Messrs Bentley, Gray
and Fox of Loudoun, W. R. Drinkard of
Alexandria county and Vincent A. Witcher of
TaZeWell.
On the new bill which is to be reported to
the House, as soon as opportunity presents,
by Mr.. Payne are, it is understood several
names of persons from this city and the sur
rounding counties.
Menard in the House.
In the House Of Representatives to day,
Menard, (colored) from New Orleans, by con-
sent, appeared aud plead his own cause. He
is dark mulato, short, but not il,looking.-
When he arose there was perfect silence in the
House, all seeming anxious to hear him. He
began slowly, with apparent sclfconidence,
but had not proceeded far before the usual
"buz" was renewed The speech fell fiat
1t was manifestly faure-what he said was
very common place, and rather badly expressed.
1t was great disappointment and the galleries
which had began to fill up when it was under
stood that a colored man was to address the
House, soon began to. thin again.
Scene in the UOuse.
In the House, to day, while the Louisiana
contested elected case was under consideration,
Mr. Chanler, Of New York, rose to make
remark, but was called TO order by the Speaker.
Mr. Chanler becoming excited, asserted that
the Speaker showed Partially towards the
Radical side Of the House. The Speaker said
that the assertion was unwarranted and incor-
rect Mr. Chanlcr replied that as question of
varacity, between himself and the Speaker
he would appeal to the House The Speaker
said that the gcntleman's remarks were disre-
spectiul to the Chair, and his assertions un-
true. There was some confusion, but the
"colOquy" ceased.
Mount Vernon
In the Committee on Appropriations this
morning, the miscellaneous appropriation bill
being under consideration, on motion OF MIR.
Phelps, the vote by which the appropriation
for Mount Vernon was stricken out, was re-
considered AID it was agreed to recommend
''an appropriation of $1,000 for repairs and
preservation of the mansion of George Wash
ington, now in the possession Of the Mount
Vernon Ladies Association, the appropria-
ton to be expended under the direction Of the
military officer in charge Of the Public Build
ings and Grounds "
Georgia.
The Reconstruction Committee, day, de.
cided not to make report upon the Georgia
case, leaving the subject of the eligibility OF
the Georgia delegation in StGtu quo.