Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-01-30
Congress-.

In the Senate, yesterday, Mr.. Sumner pre-
sented a memorial from citizens OF Boston
protesting against the ratification OF the Aaba-
ma treaty Mr. Cole introduced bill provld-
ing that no final judgment or decree OF Cir
cult or District Court of the U. S. in any civil
action, rendered after July lst, 1869, shall be
reviewed by the Supreme Court on wTlt OF
error or appeal, unless such writ OF error or
appeal be taken within three years alter the
entry of such judgment or decree, and no maj
Judgment or decree OF District Court render,
ed after the time mentioned shall be reviewed
by a Circuit Court of the u. 5. upon like pro-
cess, unless such process be sued out Wltnln
one wear after the entry of the judgment. 1t
was referred to the Judiciary Committee. The
McG arrahan claim, after considerable debate,
was referred to The Committee on Private
Land Claims. The proposed amendments to
the Constitution relating to suffrage and the
manner of choosing Presidential electors were
discussed, but no vote taken upon either. The
bill for the reduction Of the army was passed,
after an amendment had been adopted provld-
ing that The two vacancies now existing IN the
grade of Brigadier General shall not be filled.
The Senate then adjourned.
In the House OF Representatives, resolu-
ton calling upon the President Tor any intor-
nation he may have in his possession showing
that the people of Hayti and St, Domingo
want to become part of the U. S., was passed
A bill to provide for the better security OF life
and property from coal oil was referred to the
Committee of Ways and Means. A resolution
was passed authorizing the Sergeant at Arms
to arrest and bring before the bar of the House
Henry johnson, for contempt OF the authority
Of the House in refusing to testify before the
committee to investigate the alleged frauds
connected with the New York elections Mr..
Boutwell, amendment to the Constitution re-
lating to suffrage was taken up, and gave rise
to considerable debate. A proposition that no
property or educational qualification should be
required Of any voter was rejected. During
the debate Mr.. Bingham said that he was OPP
posed to any proposition that would give the
States power to regulate suffrage so as to
establish property or intelligence qualification.
If that should succeed, he said, we would have
an aristocraoy Of learning, OF money or oil
sect. He denounced that part OF the propo-
sition of Mr.. Boutwell, which DISTINGUISHES
those who participated IN the rebellion, and
argued that we could only have peace and Sc
| pie with the elective franchise. He wanted to
see all the people in the South enlrapchis'
ed, black and white. Mr.. Ward said that he
was opposed to Mr.. Bingham's proposition, to
enfranchise the late ''rebels. . He favored a
constitutional amendment which would give
every man the ballot cccept the late rebels. =
| Mr. Boutwell, stated that while he was as bit
erly opposed as any man could be to eltranch-
Using 'ex-rebels," he looked forward to the
time when all distinction would be abolished,
| but he was not prepared to do that yet. The
| discussion was continued until the House ad
iourned. 1t was expected that vote would be
had upon the amendment to-day.