Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-01-20
CONGRESS.


There was an important debate in the Sem
ate on the amnesty bill and Mr.. Summers sup
Elementary civil rights amendment to give
colored people equality everywhere. Senator
yickers, of Maryland, made a conservative
commonsenss speech, in which he maintained
the standard Maryland States rights doctrine,
which has always stood side by side with the
wise conservatism of the best statesmen of the
North. Tie enforced the truth that congress
sonal reconstruction had been failure, and
expressed the belief that as the North never
could have succeeded but for Northern demo-
cratic SUPPORT, that element should be allowed
some voice in shaping legislation for reconstruc-
ton He believed that if Mr. Lincoln's plan
had been followed We would stand to-day q
united and happy people.
In the House a resolution was adopted for
the appointment of committee Of five to in-
quire into the state of affairs in Louisiana =
Bills were passed changing the time Of hold
ing the terms of the United States courts in
Virginia, making Pittsburg port of entry
and delivery, and removing political disabili-
ties on account of rebellion, except as to Ger
tain specified classes.
TUESDAY
Ths Senate made merry over petition from
Pennsylvania, asking that no man shall be
eligible to federal Office " who drinks" Mr..
Hamilton presented petition Of influential
citizens Of Baltimore for the payment of the
French spoliation claims. The bill to repeal
the duty on coal aud salt was called up and
recommitted against the opposition of its
friends, by vote of 81 to 10. The bill
changing the time for holding the United
States courts for the western district Of Virgin
Ia was passed.
In the House, committee was appointed to
investigate affairs in Louisiana, consisting Of
Messrs. Scofeld of Pennsylvania, McCreary of
Iowa, H. B. Smith of New York, Voorhees, of
Indiana, and Marshall of Illinois.
WEDNESDAY.
In the Senate Mr.. Sumner continued to urge
his supplementary civil rights bill as an amend-
ment to the amnesty bill 70 which Mr.. FREE
linghuysen of New jersey, objected that under
it railroad company could not run separate
ladies cars, nor an Innkeeper exclude persons
of immoral character or afflicted with a loath-
some disease. White persons could even get
possession Of the colored peoples churches
He thought this interference was carrying the
centralizing process Of government too far.
In the House, bill was passed fixing the
time when pensions shall commence at the date
of discharge or death and extending the time
for application for the same until January l,
1874; also a bill granting a pension to widow
of soldier Of the war of 1912 who had subse-
quently married and become a second time a
widow also bill admitting free Of duty for
one year machinery to be used in the manuac-
tute of glass. Mr.. Suapp republican of Hi
nois, made partisan attack on the proposed
civil service rules and said tho Offices belonged
to the successful party and the successful par
ty required the Offices
In debate Mr.. Garfield Of The committee on
appropriation stated chat 100000 had to
be appropriated this year for the government
printing and if this is kept up it will become
perfect scandal.