Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-01-20
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.

In the Senate on the 10th, several petitions
we're presented asking the repeal of the re-
sumption act. Conover, of Florida, presented
a resolution requesting the President to issue
a proclamation declaring the strictest neu-
trality between the Government of Spain and
the people of Cuba. Ordered to be printed
and lie on the table. Dorsey introduced
bill to organize the territory of Oklohoma.
In the House, among the bills introduced
were one by Mr.. Wood, of New York, provi-
ding for the resumption of specie payments
and to facilitate the resumption ofspecie pay
ments without contraction of the currency !;
repeating stamp duty OH checks. By Vance,
of North Carolina, for the payment of mail
contracts to 1861, and for public buildings at
Asheville. Mr.. Randall moved to suspend
the rules in order to proceed to the considera-
ton of the amnesty bill. This was opposed
by Blaine, who said the centennial appropria-
ton bill should be first considered. A spiri-
ted debate ensued, participated in by Messrs.
Blaine, Randall, Cox, Garfield, and Kelly.
The passage of the bill was finally rejected by
a vote of 172 to 81. The speech of Mr..
Blaine on the Amnesty bill, while propitiato-
ry in tone toward the people of the South,
was extremely virulent against Jefferson Da-
Wis, not, he said, because Mr.. Davis had been
the head and front of the rebellion, or that
he had been an efficient enemy Of the Govern
ment, or that he had distracted the councils
of the Confederacy; but that he had been
guilty of the greatest crime in the annals OF
history-the murders of Andersonvlle. The
horrors of that stockade he represented as
casting into the shade the atrocities of the
Duke of Alva in the Netherlands, the massa-
ere of St. Bartholomew and the terrors Of the
Spanish Inquisition. His sspeech was replied
to by Cox, of New York, in most satirical
vein, it being treated as movement for the
Presidency. Cox contrasted Blaines position
on the question of amnesty with that Of Pres
ident Grant, who always favored general and
unqualified amnesty. But then, said Cox,
Grant was brave soldier, not scurvy politi-
clan. Kelly, Of Pennsylvania, made strong
speech against Blaine's amendment, exclu-
ding Jefferson Davis from amnesty, and in ia
vor of the original bill.
In the Senate, on the 18th, Mr.. Morrison in
troduced a bill preparatory to redemption of
United States notes and the resumption Of
specie payments. A bill was also introduced
reducing clerks to committees from 35 to 25,
and reducing pay in several instances to 81
per day. In the House, Mr.. Hill, of Georgia
obtained the floor and replied to Mr.. Blaines
speech of the previous day on the amnesty
bill. Mr.. Hills speech occupied over two
hours, and was heard with marked interest.
Closing, he said:
"And of all the atrocities, both at Anderson
Vile and Elmira, the Confederate Government
stands acquitted from all responsibility and
blame. But the South is here and here she IN
tends to remain. Enthusiastic demonstrations
on the Democratic side and in the galleries. Let
fanaticism do it's worst let it pass It's nulfying
acts trample on the Constitution ; abnegate the
BE multiply infideities until they shall be like
the stars of Heaven or the sands of the sea shore,
without number; but know this, that for all your
iniauities the South will never again seek rene
dy in the madness or another secesslon. lne-
newed applause.l We are here-we are IN our
fathers house-our brothers are our companions,
and we are at home, thank God" Enthusiastic
applause.]
After eulogies upon Mr.. johnson, the
House adjourned.
In the Senate, on the 18th, number of
bills were introduced and referred. In the
House, Mr.. Garfield, Of Ohio, obtained the
floor, and spoke on the amnesty bill in reply to
Mr.. Hill. He proceeded to discuss the ex-
change of prisoners and gave detailed histo-
ry of the causes of the suspension of exchange.
He claimed that the central point of difficulty
was the determination of the Confederate Gov