The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-12-15
FORTT-FIRST CONGRESS-.

WASHINGTON, Dec. IA. - SESATE.-A
uum ber of memorials were presented and re
ferred.
The House resolution for recess from
the 22d inst. to the 4th of January was con
| Cured in. A resolution was adopted in
strtructing the committee on commerce to
enquire into the expediency of constructing
and maintaining under the exclusive super
intendence of the government, q ship canal
from the Mississippi river at or near Fort
st Phillip to point near Breton Island on
the Gulf CT Mexico, the canal to be open to
all commerce entering or departing from the
Mississippi river.
Adjourned.
HoUsE.-Morrill, of Pa, from commit
tee on Manufacturers, reported q bill to
provide for celebrating the Tooth Rnnivers-
ary OF American independence by holding
an International exhibition of arts, manu-
sscsures and products of the soil and mines,
in the city of Philadelphia, in the year 1876.
He asked to make it the special order for
the 4th of January. Objection was made,
and the bill went over until tomorrow.
The House then considered the general
amnesty bill. 1t e1cepts West Point and
Annapolis graduates, members of either
house of Congress and of the Confederate
Congress, heads Of departments, foreign
ministers and Judges of any United States
court who engaged in the rebellion. mem bers
of secession conventions, and governors OF
seeded states during the rebellion, any
persons who cruelty treated federal prisoners
of war, or who have not duly accounted for
United States funds entrusted to them
during the rebellion, or who have embezzled
or secreted any of the money, property
city or publ stores of the United States,
and all describers from the United States
army and navy jumpers. 1t also excerpts
sll property conisca,ed or forfeited, the title
to which is now held by the United States
or any third person and all land occupied by
national cemeteries. 1t does not impair the
previous removal Of disabilities from any
persons whom it excepts from its provisions
and declares invalid every right of action
and liability arising in any ordinance or
contract in aid of the rebellion.
Farnsworth and beca offered substitutes
for it, the former removing Internationally
all disabilities under the Sd section of the
l4sh amendment, and the latter excepting
only the West Point and Annapolis gradu-
ates, members, heads of departments, for
eipn ministers and United States judges who
participated in the rebellion.
Mr.. Bingham moved substitute Tor the
lss section removing the political disabilities
for all person except such as were Senator'S
representatives and congressman IN
the years 1860 or 1861 or were
either years officers of the army or navy OF
the United States heads OF Departments,
United States Judge, United States Misis-
ters, and except oil persons who in violation
that amendment have held office since the
LIST of June, 1870.
Mr.. Beck opposed the bill. He said it was
a bill of pains and penalties instead of gem
eral amnesty. He believed the republican
press desired the passage Of q general am
nes.y bill, and that the republican party had
already lost state after state because con
gress had not passed such bill and would
continue to lose until it did.
Mr.. Porter advocated Farnsworths propo
sition as not only the most generous but the
wisest and most patriotic. Itthen went ove'
till to- morrow.
Mr.. DAVIS from the committee on appro
priasions, reported the Legislative. lud'cis
and executive appropriation bill, which VA
made the special order for Tuesday nexf