Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-03-01
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.

8 FORTY FIRST CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION.
SENATE-Tuesday, Feb. 22nd. The creden-
tials Of Ii. ?. Farrow and r. H. Whiteley, SEN
ators elect from Georgia, were presented. and,
after some discussion, Withdrawn for the pres
ent. The Committee on the Revision of the
Laws reported the resolutions of the New FORK
Legislature repeating the ratification by for
mer Legislature of the Fifteenth Amendment,
with recommendation that they be indefinite
y postponed. Speeches were made by Messrs.
Conkling and Davis in favor of the recommen-
datlon, but no action was taken.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE "A preamble
and resolution were offered and adopted. after a
long discussion, declaring that Mr.. Munger,
having obtained the consent of the House to
print in the Globe a speech not delivered on
the floor, published speech containing certain
highly offensive words, In violation Of parlia-
mentary usage, and inStructing the Committee
on Rules to inquire and report whether in SO
doing Mr. Mungen has not abused the privl-
lege granted, and deserved the censure of the
House.
SENATE Thursday, Feb. 24th.-The Senate
bill for the removal Of political disabilities,
with House bill included as an amendment, was
taken up and passed. A bill for the relief of
political disabilities Of a number Of persons
named in it, and to dispense with the t, st oath
in certain cases, was introduced aud referred to
the Committee on Political DISABILITIES. A
resolution was adopted declaring any increase
Of the currency inexpedient at the present
time
SENATE Wednesday, Feb 23rd. The Gre
deniias Of Ell. r. Revels (coIored), Senator
elect from Mississippi, were read Objection
was made to their reception, bat Wasoverruled
after discussion. A resolution was then offered
referring the credentials of H. B. Revels and
AdeIlbert Anles to the judiciary Committee,
to inquire into the validity Of their election, to
ascertain whether they were citizens of the
United States or Of the State of Mississippi,
and whether, at the time CT the election, Gen
eral Ames was not a military officer In the ser
vice Of the United States A long discussion
ensued, in which several speeches were made.
Pending debate the Senate went into executive
session, and at its close adjourned. I
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,. --Fhe bill pro-
hibiting polygamy in Utah was discussed until
the expiration of the morning hour
The resolution providing for the expulsion Of
r. +. Whittemore, for the sale OF appoint
ments to the Military and Naval Academies,
was taken up. Dir. Butler claimed the right to
appear as counsel for Whittemere, and mad an
affidavit Of Whittemore's read, in which, be as
serls that he was not allowed sufficient oppor-
tunity for defending his case before the com
mittee. He admits that he sold the appoint
ments, but claims to have expended the greater
part of the money for charitable and q small
portion tor party purposes. n
Mr.. WhtteInore was allowed a. postpone
ment until II o'clock NJ. Tomorrow, when he
will have al hour to be heard in deience.s The
House then adjourned, 9Y saisa =
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, - Immediate
ly after reading the Journal, Mr. w hittemore
arose to deliver an address In his defence, but
was called to order by the Speaker, who laid
before the House the resignation of Mr.. Whit
temore as member, and the acceptance of the
same by the Governor of South Carolina, sta
ting that it was for The House TO determine if
the gentleman should proceed. A long debate
ensued upon points of order, &c participated
in by Messrs. Logan, Butler, Bingham, Farms
worth and others. 1t was finally determined
that DR. Whittemore was not member of the
House, and therefore not subject to- any addi-
tional action. The resolution providing for his
expulsion was then laid on the table, and Mr.
Logan Immediately offered q resolution declar-
ing that Whttemore had disposed of his ca
detshps for a pecunlary consideration, and was
therefore unworthy TO occupy q seat in the
House which was adopted unanimously -1S5
members voting for it. Whittemore left the
Hall, and his seat was taken by General Farms
worth. - i ts,ta
SENATE Friday, Feb 18th a bill was in
troduced to prevent prize fighting within the
United States or Territories. 1t makes the
principals liable 10 a fine Of not less than thee
thousand dollars and to impflsonment for not
less than two years. All seconds or surgeons
assisting in such fights will he subject to one
halt OF the above penalties. Offenders against
the law will be tried before United States
courts. The bill was referred TO the j dietary
Committee. 1850 sie9breie2 @sadf
The resolution referring the credentials of FL
r. Revels -(colored) Senator elect E-an Missis-
sippi to the Judiciary Committee, was then
taken up, and Mr.. Vickers made speech in
favor of the resolution Several other speeches
were made, after which vote was taken, and
the resolution was rejected--yeas 8, nays As
A motion TO administer the oath to Revels was
adopted-ye As. nays sand he advanced
aud was sworn in The Senate then adjourned
suntil Monday ReVels received the congratu-
lations of a number of Senators. and after the.
adjournment of the Senate, was subjected to
miscellaneous Misunderstanding by crowd of both
sexes which then gained admission to the floor.
3 HOUSE OF RErREs EaTATIYEs. A bill for
the admission Of Georgia was reported from
the Committee on ReconstructioD. ITS provis-
ions are the same as those admitting Virginia
and Mississippi. After some discussion it was
ordered to be printed and reco.ilplltted. =.
The Indian Appropriation bill was taken up
in Committee of the Whole, and several mem
bers denounced the recent massacre of Indians
in Montana by United States troops under the
command Of Colonel Baker, and also the or
ders Of General Sheridan, which led to that
event. Pending discussion the House ad-
journed until Monday. s1sisa a'o
q Disabilities. Removed .-
On Thursday last bill passed Congress re-