Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-03-22
Congress.

In the Senate, March 10Th, the Committee
on Privileges and Elections reported IN favor
OF admitting Messrs. Goldthwaite of Alabama
and Blodgett of Georgia rs Senators. The
Senate without action went into executive
session.
/ In the House, the Joint resolution of the
Senate having been read, NJ Dawes of Mas
sachusetts offered the following substitute:
Resolred That Joint committee Of seven
senators and fourteen representatives he ap-
pointed, whose duty it shall be to inquire
into the condition of the late insurrectionary
States, so far as regards the execution of the
laws, and the safety of the lives and property
Of citizens of the United States with leave
to report at any time during the next or any
subsequent session Of Congress the result OF
their investigation TO either OF both Houses
of Congress with such recommendations as
they may deem expedient and that said
committee be authorized to employ clerks
and stenographers to sit during the recess,
TO send for persons and papers, TO administer
oaths and take testimony, and to visit at
their discretion, through subcommittee
any portions Of said States during the recess
of Congress, and all expenses of said commit
tees shall be paid out of the contingent fund
of the Senate.
While the resolution was under considera-
ton the previous question was passed, III
to 90
Mr.. Butler, after the vote was announced,
said Now let Mr.. Wheeler introduce his
resolution to adjourn without day.
Mr. Pierce of Miss. introduced a bill to
remove all political and legal disabilities,
with the exception of four specific classes
The House refused to suspend the rules for
it's consideration, % to 81.
Mr. Wheeler of n. Y, said that lest the
gentleman from Mass. should fall out of the
line of prophets, he would offer the following
resolution, (Laughter)
ResOlred, That the President of the Senate
and Speaker of the House be authorized to
close the present session on the Odd of March.
Mr.. Cobb of n. q. moved that the House
adjourn. Disagreed to.
Mr.. Wheeler's resolution was adopted
12l to 81, and the House adjourned.
In the Senate, March 2lst, the joint reso-
luton from the House, providing for the ap-
pointment of a committee to investigate the
condition of the South, being the business
before the Senate, the resolution was sup
Iorted by Senator Morton.
Mr. Thurman made an extended reply to
Mr.. Morton, denying the assertion of the
latter that the Democratic senator's had
shown the least disposition to oppose the in
vestigation or that there had been any oppo-
sition to it wha tever. He said every disorder
and so called outrage in the South was mag
nifed a hundred fold for party purposes, and
was made to serve additional pretext
/ for putting the heel of military power on the
necks of that PROSTATE people, and that they
were but drops compared with the organized
system of outrage and plumber to which the
Southern people were now subjected in the
name of law and order, that radical politi-
clans might thrive.
! Senator Wilson thought, after the speech
just made, the resolution might well be
/ laid on the table, and the judiciary committee
instructed to bring in bill to carry out the
provisions of the l4th amendment, and that
/ Congress should work up to the verge of ex-
IRENE power to protect the people of the
country. 1t was mistake II propose a
committee, and nothing would be gained by
/ it. The report of the officers of the Freed
men S Bureau disclosed murders and violence
enough to make the heart sicken. The re-
ports of army officers, Generals Thomas and
Sheriden, and others made similar revelations.
/ Pending the tebate the morning hour ex-
pired when the subject was laid aside. The
remainder of the days session was mostly
occupied by Senator Ames upon the condition
of the South.
No House proceeding are reported.