Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-01-18
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
FoRTY-FIRsr CONGRESS. SECOND SESSION.

authorize the funding and consolidation of the
public debt. to extend funding facilities and to
establish specie payments. The bill was referr-
ed to the Committee on Finance. The Vir-
ginia bill was taken up, the question being on
Mr.. Drake amendment, which he modified so
as to read that should the Legislature of said
State, at any time hereafter, pass an act pur-
porting to rescind its ratification of the Fifteenth
Amendment, said State shall be Immediately
deprived of its representation in Congress. -
Mr. Thurman moved to exclude the States of
New York, New Jersey and Ohio, who have
withdrawn their assent, but after some discus
sion, withdrew the motion.
Mr.. Sumner submitted memorial from GER
tain Republicans Of Virginia, now in Washing
ton, containing statement of affairs in that
State, setting forth that the memoriasts are
DESTROYS of showing that the majority of the
present Virginia Legislature were elected by
fraud violence, and intimidation, and suggest
ing that Congress enforce the existing recon
struction acts until satisfied that all voters are
given an opportunity to vote freely alleges the
exclu ion Of colored men from the Jury box and
that the right of secession is as firmly believed
in as at any time during the war: that the
leaders Of the Walker party publicly declared
In the late canvass they had supported the So
called expurgated Constitution for the purpose
of securing the admission Of the State; that
members of the Legislature recently avowed the
purpose of deceiving Congress; that one of the
delegation that waited on the House Reconstruct
ton Committee said that when Butler told them
he would take the word Of Virginia gentlemen,
he felt for his watch, because he knew the Gen
eral had very taking way with him that
parties referred to declared, in regard to pledg
ing the Legislature to carry out the new Con
stitution, they would just readily certify that
Butler neverstoleany spoons; that they can show
that Governor Walker was Copperhead dur
Ing the war, and in full sympathy with the re-
bellion; that he was president of club in
Chicago organized to rescue rebel prisoners;
that his political proclivities have not undergone
change since that during the canvass in Vir-
for General r. E. Lee because he was the great
est soldier Of the age. He was pledged to OPP
pose the common school system, securing civil
and political rights to the people; since the
election he has spoken of Virginia as being I'M
der usurpatlon and tyranny meaning thereby
Congress was revolutionary; and, In conclusion,
Virginia should not be admitted until her leg
islators take the test-oath, and that the seats of
tn ose who cannot, should be awarded to their
opponents. Signed, Isaac P. Baldwin chair
man John [. Davis, secretary Robert Nor
ton, ?. Ell. Montague, B. Wardwell, w. E.
Crockett, G.. G.. Marshall, j. r. Doughty, G.
l. e.
all in same handwriting. A long discussion
took place, but DO action was taken on the bill.
The Senate, at sos 2. NJ, adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE Sd ONT reso-
lutions of the Legislature Of New York, repeal
ing and resembling the resolutions previously a.
dopted giving the assent Of New York to the
adoption Of the Fifteenth Amendment to the
Constitution, were presented and laid on the
table. Several new bills were offered and dis
posed Of temporarily. The bill for the removal
of the Philadelphia Navy Yard to League Island
was discussed until the expiration of the morn
ing hour. The Virginia bill was then taken up.
taken. Pending debate the House adjourned
SENATE Thursday, Jan th-Several new
bills were introduced. A bill to establish light
house station on the Choptank river, in Mary
land. was.reported favorably by the Committee
on Commerce. The discussion Of the Virginia
bill was resumed, and Mr. Drake's amendment,
to exclude Virginia from representation in Com
gress it she hereafter attempts to withdraw her
assent to the Fifteenth Amendment, was reject
ed by vote of 45 to II. The question was
then taken on the amendment of Mr.. Edmunds,
prescribing an oath for members of the Legis-
lature, as set forth in the third section Of the
Fourteenth Amendment, and prescribing the
penalties OF perjury for any one falsely taking
ment in speech in which he asserted that the
judiciary Committee had refused to hear the
evidence Of certain Virginians to prove that the
test oath could not be taken by number ofthe
members Of the Legislature of that State. This
was Indignantly denied by Mr.. TrumbuIl and
other members OF the committee Mr. Truul-
bull, in his remarks, charged that Mr.. Sumner
had been improperly Influenced by Mr.. Porter,
Representative elect from Virginia, and an ex-
citing personal discussion took place. The SEN
ate then went into executive session and at It's
close adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Several new
bills were introduced and referred to committees.
The Committee on Territo les was directed to
inquire into the expedieney of establishing a
Territorial Government over the Indian Ter
ritory, IN order to insure the Misunderstanding
that country greater protection and republican
form of government A resolution declaring
that the acquisition Of any additional territory
by the United States is not justified by the pre-
sent demands CT the country was referred to the
Committee Of the Whole. A bill was passed
providing that no clerk in the employ of the
Government shall subscribe or solicit subscrip-
lions for gift to be presented to any official
receiving larger salary nor shall any official,
under any circumstances, accept gift or dona
ton from his subordinates. A number of Ex-
ecutlve communications were received and dis
posed of temporarily. Mr.. Mungen made a
personal explanation, denouncing as false the
statement, telegraphed to the New York Trl-
Dune, that when he made his speech in favor of
reputation he has been promised the aid of GER
tain Democratic members, and said he had not
been promised any aid, nor did he claim the
support of his political friends but he was sat
lshed he was fully sustained by his constituents
The discussion of the Virginia bill was resumed
and several speeches were made. Mr.. Farms.
worth gave notice that he would call the pre-
vlousquestion on the bill at 8 o clock to- morrow
The House then took a recess until 100 clock
P. NJ. ~ V
Evenang Session The House met at T. 80
L. NJ. Mr.. Whittemore made q speech in favor
ef the Virginia bill, and Mr.. Davis offered a
substitute for it, which was ordered to be print
ed Speeches were made by Messrs Farms
worth, Palmer and others, and at 1915 the
House adjourned.
SENATE Friday, Jan. l4th.-Several bills
and memorials were introduced and disposed Of
temporarily. Mr. Cole called up his joint re-
solution instructing the Commissioners Of In
ternal Revenue not to release the four thousand
barrels OF whiskey seized in San francisco last
August until it has been determined by the
United States courts whether it was properly
seized. Mr.. Cole made speech in favor of
the resolution, In which he severely criticised
the conduct Of Supervisor Fulton, of Baltimore,
IN connection with this matter, and the inter
ference Of that official With the revenue officers
OF California. He adverted to the visit of
Supervisor Fulton and Mr.. Cowan, Of Ohio, to
California, and styled them exotics. 1t has
been stated that this liquor was to be released
on the recommendation Of Mr. Fulton, and if
this was done it would be great Injustice Of