The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-12-16
WAsuINoroN, December IS.

Congressional Committeeman, &c.
WASHINGTON, December IS.
In the House to-day Representative Rainey
was appointed member Of the committee on
freedmen's affairs
The bill appropriatlng 100000 for revenue cut
tiers was passed.
A bill was introduced directing the Secretary OF
the Treasury to refund penalties and taxes ie'
gally issued under the direct tax law.
The House then resumed the consideration OF
the amnesty bill. Farnsworth made forclble
speech in favor Of . clean amnesty. Lawre nee
opposed any amnesty until those excluded gave
evidence Of repentance.
Fernando Wood said the bill was In no sense an
amnesty BILL It's class exceptions involved many
who suffered no DISABILITIES under the fifteenth
amendment. Instead OF an amnesty, 1t was q
property-graobing bill. .Instead Of being mea-
sure Of peace it was bill to defeat iustce-a bill
to deny the rights Of them to recover property.
1t was n measure, the effect OF wh!ch-he would
not say the design Of twas 10 do injustice-to
deprive lltigants OF their proper redress, and to
grant a boon of relief TO those who were least en-
titled to 1t.
Maynard argued against the principle of uni-
versal amnesty.
Sargeant said he w0ull vote for Farnsworth' 's
substitute removing all disabilities for the follow
Ing reasons: First, that the pledge cf the Repub.
lican party to remove all disabilities as soon as
the public safey would allow meant what 1t said,
and that it s not necessary for the public safe.
ty that these, disabilities should be continue d.
Second, because the political power Of the ex-
rebels is not diminished by their incapacty to
hold onlce, as every one OF Them can vote at any
election. Any man elected by such Is as danger
Gus to good government aud as fully represents
their principles add purposes as other disqualified
individuals could. Third, because their exclusion
from office l5 badge Of distinction, from
a rebel standpoint; is persecution, mot punish
ment, and enhances their influence for evil. II they
see as to exercise it. Fourth, because as mere
party measure it is not ba1 policy to add few
Thousand to the number OF Democratic Office
seekers, While adding nothing to the number or
Democratic votes. Fifth, because the men under
disabilities are not invariably or even generally
the worst Of the late rebels, aud hence, rs mat
ter OF precaut!on, or even OF justice, their eSclu-
sion does not answer the arowed purposes.
sixth, because the people, North and South, will
better appreciate the purposes Of the Dem ocratic
patty, II they are allowed TO bring forward as
their exponents the leading rebels, as they natu-
rally will. Seventh, because 1t Is unrepu6lican to
hold any class OF people under political disabilities
Eighth, because the Republican party Is great
and noble, aud liberal enough TO extend mercy to
all classes of citizens and should add this crown-
ING act to the great and successful! war and re.
construction policy. II the substitute falls, will
vote for the measure that makes fewest eXcep-
lions and comes nearest to complete amnesty.
The discussion continued at great length and
will be resumed on Tuesday. Lawrence, Of Ohio,
regretted during the debate "that one hundred
nrstcass funerals had not followed the rebellion"
In the Senate several bills removing political
disabilities mere passed. ----------------
The bill Incorporating the Southern Express
company was reported back with amendme ents.
bill was introduced for selling certain lands
In South Carolina belonging 10 the government.
Schurz then delivered an address Of unusual
length, to which the Senate listened with marked
attention. reviewing the history OF the party diVi'
sIonin Missouri for which he said he and those who
acted with him had been denounced as traitors to
the Republican cause the interference, at the So
licitation OF his colleague Drake, OF the National
Executive, by which State contest had acquired
more than loca, Interest, and the subsequent DE.
feat of the President, with oil his patronage, by
the triumph OF the very principles upon which lie
hal been elected. The probabilities OF the lorna
rIon OF q new party nucleus, and the prospect OF
the reforms In the civil service and the revenue,
were also referred to.
The President nominated Michael shaughnesy
United States marshal Of the southern district OF
Mississippi.
The Senate confirmed Hosle, collector OF Vicks'
burg; hiram Pringbull, marshal or tile northern
district OF Alabama; Mason, postmaster a. New
bern.
Revels has introduced bill for the building OF
n new levec between the Mississippi and YaZoo
rivers. 1t nppropriates two million dollars and
fvc million acres OF the public lands for the pur-
pose.