The New York Herald Newspaper, December 14, 1865, Page 5

nnn ee WASHINGTON. IMPORTANT PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS. “ ‘The Resolution for a Select Com- mittee on the Southern States Called Up in the House, Its Adoption as Amended by the Senate. Debate on the Subject of Conferring the Rights | i of Citizenship on Colored Soldiers, Proposed Anti-Secession Con- stitutional Amendment, ‘The Resolution Calling for Information in Regard to Unsworn Government Em- ployes Adopted by the Senate. Passage of the Bill to Prevont the Importation of the Huropean Gattle Disease. Animadversion in the Senate on the Press Reporter. x “Order from Gen. Grant Discharging All Civil- tans Exeept Clerks from the Army. Wasuineton, Dec. 13, 1865, THE SENATE PRESS REPORTER. The Senate entertained itself to-day with the conside- ration of some half dozen resolutions, two or three bills and a considerable amount of rhetorical effort. The lat- ‘ter was produced most likely from the shock given early in the session to the nerves of the radicals by the presen- tation »f a remonstrancoe from citizens of Louisiana ‘against the admission or recognition of Messrs, Hahn and ‘Cutler as Senators from that State. The ruling side of the house was so unanimously desirous of tabling the above protest, and it was summarily accomplished with 80 little effort, that it became manifest whatever measure followed uext would come in for some portion of the Superabundance of Senatorial animation that stifled the Temonstrance. By a strange fatality, and, unfortunately * for the amiability of the Senatorial body, @ resolution regularly looked for and annually introduced here came up, proposing that the ‘Ligrary Committee be instructed to hit upon some de- vice for securing reliable Congressional reports for the agency of the Associated Press. For an hour thereafter ‘tho republican Senators amused themselves with a rep- + ‘robation of the reporters of the Associated Press, and re- lated a multiplicity of incidents going to prove that their Official records had suffered continual misrepresentation ‘from its inaccuracies. Senator Saulsbury put in an ap- Pearance for the association, and volunteered the sug- gostion that if the other side had only succeeded in get- ‘ting @ nogative of their action before their constituency through the mediam of the Associated Press report, ‘they wore at least indebted through these alleged dis- repanctes for the only evidence they would be able to @ummon im after years in disavowal of their Perverted legislation as now displayed upon the official record. Senator Anthony was of the opinion that the reporter of the Associated Press ought to be allowed a seat on the floor of the Chamber; and Revordy Jonson remarked that the reports as generally Published were never more accurate”than now. The resolution was finally referred to the Library Committee, from which it is safe to presume the Senate will not Bastily pross a report, THE NEGRO IN THE SENATE. About half-past one Senator Wileon brought his bill for the abrogation of all laws now existing in the United ‘States based upon the color of races before the Senate, and proceeded, in a speech of considerable length, to de- pict th» social evils that wero cansing ruin among the Southorn whites and degrading the negroes lower than when slaves. Senator Johnson followed the member from Massachusetts with a disclaimer of the rule of ‘crimo in the South as portrayed by the latter, in which she took occasion to remark that in his opinion the late ‘Messago of the President was one of the ablest of the ‘many powerful documents that had emanated from our Executives. Trumbull did not find the bill sweeping and Fadical enough in its provisions, Cowan distrusted its eff- cacy as a law, and Sherman was not convinced of the Propriety of taking it up at the present time. NEGRO SUFFRAGE IN THE DISTRICT. ‘The Senatorial Committee for the District of Columbia, at their meeting yesterday, determined that negro suf- frage ought to be established in the District, and decided ‘that Senator Morrill, its chairman, should draw a bill for “for that purpose for early presentation to the Senate. THR MILITARY COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE TO VISIT THE PRESIDENT AND WAR OFFICE. Tho Military Committee of the House will visit the President, the Secretary of War end Gencral Grant to- ‘morrow forenoon, for the probable purpose of ascertain- ‘ing their views on various subjects of a military nature Ukely to be brought before it during the session. ‘THR CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES BUSIL.Y AT WORK. The difforent House and Senate committees are busily preparing for their appropriate duties, and will soon be tmmorsed in the consideration of bills and resolutions re- ferred to them. The House Committee on Foreign Affairs ‘will meet primarily to-morrow morning. THE IMPORTATION OF CATTLE PROWIBITED. ‘The bill to prevent for the present the importation of foreign cattle, in order to guard againa} the plague, has ‘passed both houses of Congress, and therefore only re- “quires the President’s signature to become alaw. This -1s the first bill passed this session. THE DBATH OF PREGIDENT LINCOLN. The joint special committee of the two Houser of Con- _@reas on the death of President Lincoln held a meeting eto-day. It is understood that they wil! probably report in favor of memorial services in February, with Ron. E. ‘M. Stanton as orator for the occasion. “GENERAL LOGAN DINES WITH THE MEXICAN MIN- 18TRR. General John A. Logan, Hon. E. B. Washburne and -one or two other invited guests dined with Senor Romero to-day. “ORDER FOR THE DISCHARGE OF CIVILIAN® BM- PLOYED IN THB ARMY. The following general order has revently been issued Yby General Grant:— GENERAL ORDERS—NO, War DaraptMgnt, AdsuTanr ‘ocrwnai’s Orr \ Commanding generals of milan) Ce de. partments wi @ischarge al) ctvilian nee ‘within “Their Seis commends, except clerks, in the various depart. ‘ments of the army, Nesey) for them, when neces. mary, extra dul ied from the army. ‘ment Key wil ee u +, dimes sual or or, unnoces. 80 em) eve Fiera property, and ticle uly guarding po proweling HY command of T.Jentenant General GRANT, Ee D. Towssmxn, Assistant Adjutant General, } GENERAL KILPATRICK AND NEGRO SUFFRAGE. A paragraph bas been published that General Kilpatrick ‘Wrould address a meeting here in favor of unlimited suf- frage. This was wholly unauthorized and incorrect, ‘THis position on the suffrage question was distinctly de- aGned in the Now Jersey canvass, and is unchanged, SENTENCE OF A MURDERER COMMUTED. Edward Lambert, Twenty-cighth Louisiana infantry |), who was sentenced to be hung for murder, on 4 next, had his sentence commuted to-day by the jent to ten years’ imprisonment in the penitentiary, @AB APPLICATIONS OF REBELS TO BE READMITTED TO THR BAR WITHOUT TAKING THR OATH. - Itia believed that Messrs, Garland, of Arkansas and ‘Warr, of Louisiana, are the only ones who have applied Wo the United States Supreme Court to bo readmitted to Cant bar withgys boing coquited ¥0 take the omth of Jone NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1865. alty, as prescribed by Congress. The question as tothe Constitutionality of the oath will be argued on Friday. OLERK OF THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTER. ‘Mr. Bassett continues to act as the clerk to the Com- mitteo of Ways and Mears. ‘Milttary Affairs, reported a joint resolution that the Proa- First Session, Ue, Rome sapling that neacty Gof Sheep aye leer. ing. officers were still in the Nearly half by red by ‘What was SENATE. proposed w as the officers now em; eaenend net Wasumiatos, Deo. 13, 1865. time should from some cam i.e eee ‘Mr. Srewanr, (rep.) of Nevada, submitted joint reso | army or provision be made for the tution, embracing the following articles, wo be proposed | Snér. ‘Gr Enis body) af ofteets eighty-five per cant were ‘8 amendments to the constitution of the United States:— | wounded, some #0, Al have re- First—The union of he Date ater pee covered, from ten to per cent of were pela unt allegiance to. the Unitod | but from which they also have recovered. Ie was ‘moi States. roposed to ly ts out on the world summarily. wh ily nth io ilies them for perp 4 authority of the United States, or to Mr, Farxsworte was organized entirely Sar: ‘4 convention or body in | by the War Department, and filled from the volunteer ity, shalt ever be held, voted, or The men were entitled to be when or in part, by any | the war was over, and all of them havi aly Pegs my the United States,” Cy The Soe thewene they ate aan to their ite submission of the question to the men as to whether ‘The resolution was reforred to the Judiciary Com- cuales mittee. ‘MR. WILSON EXCUSED FROM BRRVICE ON THR COMMITTERS ON PRNBIONS AND REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM. 2” ro Mr. Wilson, (rep.) of Mass., was excused, at his own rege than pee OB, oe request, from service on the Committees on Pensions and 7 COmKLING, (rep. ) of Y., understood. from the loman from Revolutionary Claims, tle is that this corps sprung from the far Department. He woud ask whether the proposed IMMURAING MIBHOURI FOR ENROLKING AN® PROVISIONING | action of the House was to be taken as au indication that the corps is to be perpetuated or continned for any air. ScuENog referred the gentleman to the language of the resolution, which proposed only a temporary sus sion of the order penne out the officers until gress should have time to u the subject. Mr. Conk.inG said he did not forget the language of the resolution, and he propounded Pitan to which Mr Scaxxcx replied that the resolution was to by nearly all the members of the Committeo on Military Affairs; aud he further remarked that many of the men having elected to leave the service, the question now was what to do with the officers. They have claims on the syinpathy and justice of the govérnment, and therefore should not be turned off in a summary way. Mr. Conktine could not agree with the gontleman that, the officers of the corps, as a body, fell within the scope of the sympathy oxpressed by him. Many. of these oiti- cere are quite as able to maintain themselyég and families as those either in or outside ot the military service—uo doubt a large percentage of them. When the question came whether the officers should be mustered out or re- tained In the service, he should vote for the former. Mr. Scaexck repeated that he had not made up his mind whether he would retire the corps us a body or in- corporate it with the army. Congress should have time to consider the subject. He held that these oiticers, taken togethor, were exceedingly meritorious. ‘The Secret of War Had no destre to. summarily dismiss these mon but unless Congress took action in the manner proposed it would have to be done. It was with the full concur. rene ae the Secretary that the joiut resolution was Meare Under the operation of the previous question the resolution was adopted by a vote of 111 yeas against 50 nays. Mr. Brows, (rep.) of Mo., introduced a bill to reim- burse the State of Missouri for expenses incurred in en- rolling, equipping and provisioning the militia, which was ordered to be printed and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, THR LOUISIANA SENATORS. Mr. Gururm, (dem.) of Ky., presented a remon- strance from the executive of Louisiana against the elec- tion of Messrs. Habn and Cutler as Senators from Louisi- ana, Mr. Grimes, ) of Iowa, objected to tho reading of the pen ON it was ordered upon tho table. PAYMENT OF THE WIDOW OF SENATOR COLLAMER. Mr. Foor, (rep.) of Vt, presented a resolution, which was referred to the Committee on Contingent Ex: Ppenses of the Senate, providing for the payment to the widow of the late Mr. Collamer of the amount due to that Seuator at the time of his death. PREYS REPORTER, Mr. Grimms offered a resolution instructing the Committee on the Library to inquire into the ex- pater y of the appointment by the Senate of a reporter ‘or the Associated Press, which, after some discussion, was adopted, PROMIBITION OF THK IMPORTATION OF CATTLR. Mr, Sterman, (rep.) of Otilo, from the Commitiee on Agriculture, roparied ‘he House Dili to protobit the im- portation of cattle, so as to prevent the spread of the cattle disease in this country. The bill was passed, UNSWORN EMPLOYERS, On motion of Mr. SuMNER, (rep.) Of Mass., the Senate took up the resolution calling for information in regard to the employment of persons in the Zreasury Depart. ment who have not taken the oath of allegiance, and whether there are persons employed and paid for offices not provided by law. ‘The resolution was adopted after being amended so as to read as follows:— It is provided by an act of Congress that every person in the civil, military or naval department of the public service, except the President of the United States, shail, before entering upon the duties of his office, and ‘hefore being entitled to uny of the salary or other ‘emoluments thereof, take and subscribe to a certain oath in & prescribed form; and it is further provided in another act of Songress Sargent 9, 1863, chapter 25, that no money shall from the Treasury of the United States to any feats acting as an oflicer—civil, military or nuyal—as salary in auy oilice, which office is not authorized by some previously existiy Jaw, unless such oitice shall be subsequenily sanctioned by law; and whereas it is reported that, noiwithstanding these’ acts of Congress, certain persons have been allowed to enter upon the duties of oflice, and to receive the salary and emoluments thereof, without taking the presoribed oath, and certain other persons have been appointed to oflices not authorized by any previously existing law; there- fore, Resolved, That the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary ‘of War be requested, so far as their respective departments allowed, to inform the Senate whether any Persons have been permitted to enter upon the duties of office, and receive the salary and emoluments thereof, withont taking the oath prescribed by by Congress; or, they have taken it, adding thereto explanations, and also whether persons have been appointed to any office not authorized by any previously existing law, and if any persons have been so permitied or appointed thereto, report if the same have received auy salary or emolu- ments, and what they were, and out of what fund they have been paid, with the reasons for such permission, or appointment, and also the explanation, if any, assigned by such parties at the time of taking such ca MAINTAINING THY PREKOOM OF THE OUR MINERAL LANDS, Mr. Jursax, (rep.) of Ind., introduced a bill, which was referred to the Committee on Public Lands, provid- ing for the subdivision and sale of the gold and silver lands of the United States and others containing valuable minerals, for the coining of the products of such tands, and for other purposes. RESTORATION TO TIT ACTIVE LIST OF THR NAVY. Mr. Rivk, (rep.) of Mass., introduced a Joint resolution, which was referred to the Committee én Naval Affairs, for the restoration of William Reynolds and Nolan ‘thon B. Woolsey, United States Navy, to the active list trom the retired list, G00DS IN BOND, Mr. Rice also introduced a joint resolution, which was referred to the Committee on var aud Means, author. izing the entry for consumption goods in bond on pay- meat of the respective rates of dut! RESPECT TO THA MEMORY OF TEESIDENT LINCOLN. Mr. Ixcersout, (rep.) of IIL, offered the following reso. lution, which was adupted :— Resolved, That the Series Wa'be appointed under the resolution providing for the appotiiment of a joint committee of one from each State to take into conside- ration what token of Sy ae and affection may be proper for the Congress of the United States to express concern. ing the event of the decease of the late President Abra- ham Lincoln, are directed to take into consideration the expedienoy of providing tor the completion of the Wash- ington Monument, with a view to the dedication of said monument to the commemoration of the virtues and patriotism of thove great and good meu, George Washing. ton and Abrabam Lincoln, BOUNTY FOR SOLDIERS AND KAILORS. Mr. Kuywenpan:, (rep.) of Il, introduced a bill, which was referred to the Committee on Military Atiairs, ox. tending the benefit of the Bounty Land act’ of March 3, 1865, to all soldiers, sailors and ‘seamen who served dur- ing the late war, 7 Un GHT HOUR LAMOR sYstEM. On motion of Mr. Nisiacx, (dem,) of Ind., it was re- solved that the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the propricty and expediency of providing by law for the adoption of what is known as the “eight hour system’ of labor in ali matters and places to which the jurisdiction of Congress extends, and to report by bill or otherwise, MABITANTS OV THE LATELY INBURECHONARY BTATRS, Mr. Witsow called up a bill to maintain the freedom of the inhabitants of the States declared to be in insurrec- tion and rebellion by the proclumation of the President Of the Ist of July, 1862. It declares all laws heretofore in force or held Valid in the insurrectionary States, making any inequality of civil rights and immunities among the inhabitauts of these States on Secount of race oF color, are null and void. He said Mr. Witsox explained the nature of the bill, the proclamation of tue President of the 22d of Septem- ber, 1862, declaring emancipation, pledges the faith of siates to maintain the THE PACIFIC RAILROAD. On motion of Mr. Brows, (rep.) of Cal., it was re- solved that the committee having charge of the Pacilic Ratiroad be instructed to inquire what action, if any, is fo pe on the part of Congress to expedite the work, ‘that they bave leave to report by bill or otherwise. THE CONDITION OF THE LATELY INSURKECTIONARY STATES, On motion of Mr. Srevess, (rep.) of Pa., the Honse took up the resolution providing for a joint committee to examiue into the condition of the late #o-called Confede- rate States, as returned from the Senate with amend- ments, which were concurred in by the House. COLORED SOLDIELS AND THE FIGHTS AND PRIVILKGRS OF orrmusemy, Th" House took up the following resolutions, intro- duced by Mr. Farx-worrna ;— Resolved, as the senve of this House, that 9 all just powers of government are derived from the consent of the governed, that cannot be regarded as a just government which denies a large portion of its ns, who share both its peenniary and military burdens, the right to ex- press their consent or dissent to the laws which subject them to taxation and to military duty, and which retnses thein full protection in the enjoyment of their inalienable nights, esolved, ‘That in Imposing taxes on the people of the United States none are excepted iherefrom on account of color; 80, too, in the laws enacted by Congress for euroll- ing and drafting into the military service of the United Staies those liable to military duty, no exemption be cause of color has been allowed; and while we have rewarded the joreigner who is ignorant of our language end institutions, and who has but just Janded on our shores, with the rights of citizenship tor a brief service in the armies of the Union ; good faith as well as im- partial justice demands of this government that it secure to the ‘colored soldiers of the Union their equal rights and privileges as citizens ofthe United States, Revolved, That we agree with the President of the United States, that mercy without justice is a crime; aud admitting rebels and traitors, upon whose hands the blood of slain patriets has scarcely dried, and upon whose hearts the damning crime of starving lo; yal men, taken as privoners in battle, to the rights of citizenship and suf- rage, while we deny those rights to the pm black man who fought for the Union and who fed and pro- weeres our starving soldiers, is a fit illustration of that truism, Mr. Caaxter, (dem.) of N. ¥., opposed the Introdue- tion of these Aotnilenn, The problem of the negro race was not solve, as the gentleman from [iinois as- sumed. He denied the proposition that the black was the equal of the white tan. The effect of these resolu. tions would be to inflame pa-sions and keep up sectional excitement, The subject Lelonged to no sy*tetn pertain- img to the army, but to the negro on the fence. It wax useless for the republicans, as a stad job, to continue the agitation of the question. Jf he understood the pro position it would prove fatal to the negro. While he ‘would assist in raising the black man to the position for which he was suited, he maintained that the sovereignty of the white race should sustained. He defended those who left their native land to seek a home in our own, We are all, he said, the sons of i grants, This land in the refuge of te white man, and he has been allowed to take the various elements of civilization, ther the Indian or the negro, to carry out his designs. i right did the gentieman from Mtinois in bie and th dishonor the men who from et find liberty and a home in the United States? The gentleman continued his remarks for an hour im opposi tion to the proportion Mr. Fanvewonts said he presumed the House and the country had hong f Kee ng eloqne: ech of the Jeman from New exprened the hope that. Hovse would now refer the resolutions to thd select committee on the condition of the late revel confede- the government of the United freedom of the persons declared to be free, This was re- peated in the proclamation of the Ist of January. It was, therefore, the duty of the government to maintain the civil mghis and iniuunities of these frecdmen. The most cold-blooded atrocities were being perpetrated upon these freeduen, and it was the duty oft ongress to interfere at once. Whatever differences of opinion there might be on the subject of negro suffrage, there ought to be none in regard to the duty of making good the guarantees of the government, Mr. Jouxson, (dem.) of Md., said there were serious Aegal obyection® to the bill under consideration, It did not name any bills or laws, but all laws of a certain character, Besides it only repealed all laws already made. But if the Southern Stater are in the Union they have a right to make police laws for the futore. He had never believed that the Southern States were out of the Union, and he wae gh: see in’ President Jobnson's Message, which was one of the ablest ever ixsned, a cou- currence in this view. The people of the Southern States were now as anxious to return ag they once were to leave the Union. He believed fe Was a8 much philanthropy in the South a* in the North, and he wae sorry to see the Impression sought to ve created that the people of the South were barbarous, Mr. Cowan, (rep.) of Pa., did not believe the bill would accomplizh what its autlior desired. He thought an amendiment to the constitation was the only way to reach the matter, and he believed such un amendment would pass in Congress within a month. Mr, Witsen referred to certain laws pasted in the Southern States sinve the abolition of slavery, which he said sul il the freedmen to a worse bondi than slavery itself. The condition of the freedmen of the South was worse to-day than it was on the day of Lee's ny Mr. SaweMan sympathized with the objects of the bill. He believed it to be the duty of Congress to secure freedom to the emancipated slaves; but he believed be my oe ought to be postponed tnt! the proel of the Secretary of State announcing the ition of the constitutional a, by the requisite number of States, Congress bad the power, he sald, ander the second section of the amendment, to inake provision for the freedom of the blacks, and there was another sec- tion of the constitution under which it could be done— that section which gives to the citizens of one State all the rights of the citizens of the several States, The biil before the Senate did detine the civil right the negro ought to h he bat stated them in terms. In his judgmem Congress ought to impore the conditions upon which the Southern States should be received back into the Union, and they ought to be in the form of amendinents to the constitution. Action on the bill before the Nenate ought to be d Teport of the committee of cba | “si led for by the concurrent resolution passed yeste Mr. Saursmony, (dem.) of De. eaid that when the stitutional amendment was before tue Senate no Senator’ claimed the right under theecond section to give to ba | ts cps the powers of a consolidated govern “or TromBuLt, (rep.) of Ill., thongbt the bill was pre- mature in the sense stated by Mr. Sherman. There was yet no official information of the passage of the constitu (onal amendment, and until the aduption of that amend- ment there might be some doubt as to the power of Con- do what was proposed. After the adoption of @ amendinent there could be no doubt as to the power of Congress If the second section did not confer this ge upon Congress he would ask the Seuator from aware for what purpose it was intended, Mr. Sacisacry—I do not know what it meant. I had nothing to do with it; batT would ask the honorable rac: We Axcoxa, (dem.) of Pa, moved that they be lard on the table ‘The question war decided in the negative by a vote of 43 yeas ageinst 113 nays, ae follows:— Senator whether when it was before thie body for adop- Bevjamin, Bergen, Boyer, Brooks, tion be avowed in his advocacy of it that it was meant pylons, fanem Finct, Ls Grides, for such purpose as now claimed. Mr, TeewpuLt—Mr. President, | never understood it in any other way. Me Savissear—Did yon state it so at the time? Mr. Tremavi.—I do pot know that | stated go, I ‘Ker. Tuathiuon, Teton Nicholson, Noell, Phelps, Randall o Kors, Rousseau, Bhan k lor, John ts, Thomas, J¥., held and Wright—<42, Thrateny ‘Trimble, Wi ht as well have explained that the clauge which de- jours. pines, Apeween, Beker, ‘mig! ninvery abel nob exist meant Vat oes Baiewin, Boks Be — ebay 3 Blaine, shall not exist. | could make it no clearer, e lar of of ‘Oplo el anges, Cobb, ik © it from the Judiciary Committee for the very purges n Daring, vie Hemin Dizon, be a Seung aon Congr te eb aoe tate | et Marrgec Tater eye mee poh Ragidey ut in fait h ig Al Moines touper, Hulbburd'of Kowa, Hibbard of ULABURY faid he did not kee how gentlemen of Conn., Hubbell of Ohio, Halburd, James holding. that the Southern States are not fn the Union Sea nekes, Julian, Kelley, K Ketch- the constitutional amendment as adopted. It adel Let lin, Lawrence of Pa,, La ‘of Ohio, can regard required 4 sares-fourths ‘of the States to adopt the amend- ment, and that number pa not be obtained without counting the Sout therm Stat On motion of Mr, Howat the Senate adjourned, HOUSE oF “REPRESENTATIVES, HE et Barri, Me jewel, O of See Orth, Palverson, ‘Fer tice ‘of Mel, ‘Nolitns, mee se of igs a Wen ‘ood- tions of St, nani Terai wore Cem reteeres to the select com: Mr. Dawns, (rep.) of Mass., introduced resolution, Seurunsuann fon teces 90 vue timswione 69 on tm. ‘which was agreed to, that all papers in the several cases of contested elections, now or hereafter referred to the Committee on Klections, be printed in whole or in part under the direction of the committee, at their discretion, ‘THR VETERAN RESERVE CoRrs, Me. Goma, (rep) of Ohio, Crom the Commyjee on Committee on the Judiciary be instructed expediency of an amendment to the constitu. tion of the United which shall provide substan- color, On motion of Mr. Wawrworra, of UL, it 3 was re- solved that, the Commies og frintog, to whom has been referred the question of the number of Lieutenant Mr. Wauanr, tam) Be offered the following, language, and yet desire to jeasage of our patriotic President, that ten thousand copies additional of the President’s Message be printed for bution in the German language. The House then adjourned. VIRGINIA. 1 Effort to Remove the Large Number of Negroes from the State. OUR RICHMOND CORRESPONDRNCE. Ricumonn, Va., Deo. 11, 1865, THR NEGRO QUESTION. A joint committee of the Legislature, consisting of five from the Senate and ten from the House, charged with the duty of a conference with Colonel Brown, the Com- missionor for Virginia for Freedmen’s Affairs, met that officer this afternoon, Nothing of importance transpired ; but another conference will be had within a day or two, THE OBJECT OF THR CONFERKNCK AN IMPORTANT ONE. ‘As before indicated in this correspondence, the object of the meeting between the Commissioner and the com- mittee is to consult upon the propriety ‘of removing some seventy thousand freedmen from the limits of the State, a large portion of whom came within its boundaries with the armies passing through Richmond a few months since, and relative to which affirmative legislition has already been initiated. In addition to this it is under- stood that the Legislature earnestly desires to get the Freedmen’s Bureau under its control, in which event other than human aid will be required to successfully protect and defend the poor negroes. Ricaxonn, Va., Dee. 12, 1865. ‘THR STATE OFFICERS, It has been determined to postpone the electian to fl vacancies in the State oftices occurring on the Ist of January proximo, until the 2ist of the present month, Already there are numerous signs that the Legislature will relent its hitherto firm determination to make changes 1m these officers on radical grounds, for the reason that they are extremely fearful of the effect of such a course on the national authorities at Washington, JOINT RESOLUTION RELATIVE TO THI LAND TAX AND OTAER IMPOSTS AND TAXES LEVIED BY THE CONGRESS OF THK UNITED STATES, Whereas the Congress of the United States of America, yan act passed on the 6th day of August, in the year 1861, levied upon the lands and houses of the people of the ‘United States, a direct tax of $20,000,000, for the purpose of raising revenue, and apportioned the pay- iment of the game among the several States of the Union, including Virginia, whose portion of said tax romain unpaid, and by the said recited act and subsequent acts of the ‘said Congress other taxes, impoats and excises have been Inid, extending to a period anterior to the ap- pointment of assessors and collectors of the internal revenue in their respective districts; and, whereas, the people of Virginia, while they are anxious, in good faith, to perform their whole duty to the goverument of the United States, and to contribute their full proportion to the support of t government aud the maintenance of the public credit, are unable, from the loss of nearly te, including their stocks, and in many instances their houses and other buildings which were taken or destroyed by the armies of the United States; therefore, Be it resolved by the General Asaembly of Virginia, ‘That, in view of the present coudition of the people of the State, and their present inability to pay the direct land tax of August, 1861, with the other taxes, State and national, we earnestly appeal to the President and Con- gress of the United States to postpone the collection of the land tax for the present, and to permit the State of Virginia to assume the payment of the same. 2. That, for the reasons set forth in the foreg preamble’ and resolution, and the recent report of United States, we respect(ully but earnestly ask that the collection of the internal revenue taxes which accrued previous to the appointment of asseskors and collectors in the respective revenue districts in this State, may be indetinitely postponed, Proceedings of the Virginia Legislature Yesterday. D IN THE SENATE ALLOWING IN COURTS—THE ANTI- AMENDMENT REFER- A BILE. INTRODUC! NEGROBS TO TESTIFY SLAVERY CONSTITUTIONAL RED. Ricumoyo, Va., Dec. 1865. A Dill was introduced in the Senate to-day repealing all acts relative to slaves and free negroes, and allowing them to testify in courts, Mr. Gilmer, of Richmond city, advocated the immediate passage of the bill. It was laid on the table and ordered to be printed. A resolution was offered coniieming the ratification of the anti-slavery amendment at Alexandria, which was referred to the Committee on Federal Relations. \ GEORGIA. The Election of Senators Deferred—Hopen that Stephens’ Disabilities May be Re- moved so that He and Joshua Hitl May be Elected Senators. Mitxocevinrs, Ga,, Dee. 12, 1865. The Honse thix morning refused to adopt the resoln- tion to elect United States Senators at any stated day, The election has been deterred in the hope that the dis- Hilities of Alexander H. Stephens may be removed. guration of the Governor elect has yet taken plac The Legislature will tak to the 16th of Jal the inauguration of the ¢ mnoved, ‘The President's Message was read by the Leyisi in high spirits, and with hopes of a speedy readmission of Georgia to the Union. reces® from the 15th inst, ernor should be The Opera in St. Louts. Sr. Lous, Ded, 14 1865, auiga was received this evening with great euthu- siaasm, a# Lucrezia, by a highly fashionable house, She was ip excellent voice, and m the second and third acts her acting took the audience by storm. She was called ont at the end of each act end rapturously applauded, All trace of her recent indisposition had disappeared. She recalled to mind the Garzaniga whose suc. cess as a grand dramatic artist was jong ago established im thie country ax well ax in Furope. Musiani sang the rdle of Gennaro in his usaal admirable manner, and gained the fullest ap- probation of the honse, to whom he iv always welcome. Olgini made another great success a* Orsini, Her ap- pearance was greeted with universal applause. She has evidently taken possesston of the public, wit are unsparing in their manifestations of admiration of her beauty, her delicious voice and exceeding grace of action, The Brindinsi was finely sung, and was enthusiastically encored. The réle of Alphonso was taken by Milleri, who fairly deserved the epplause he received in the grand trio In the second act, which had to be repeated. The opera went off with great success, and would well bear repetition if the order of the season would permit it; but the manager is pledged to produce afresh opera every night, and we believe he means to adhere strictly to the programme. To-morrow pi we are to have Martha, On Friday Roter'o it Diavale, and Saturday Paccini’s great tragic opera of Saffo, with Gazzaniga in the principle réle, The Opera is growing nightly in the favor of the musical pub- lic. The more the artists are heard the better they are appreciated. Cold Weather at St. Li Sr. Lovrs, 3, 1865, After #6 unusnally warm, dry fall, the weatber has become very cold, the mercury sinking to nine degrees More vero today. Tee began running in the river thie afiernuon, and nat tion of the upper #treams may be considered closed for the season, Steamers are still running south, but the water is becoming quite low. Kentucky Legis! Lavon 12, 1866. House of the Kentucky Lagiiarere a bill was adopted restoring all persons to their constitutional and legal rights, wherever they wore deprived of them by an act March 11, 1862, Tne Pumnanwonre,—The second concert of the Phil- harmonic Society of New York, which 1s announced for @atorday next, offers to the music-loving public a rare treat by introducing Monsieur Jehin Prume, the re. nowned violinist, to the New York Aabituis of these concerts, The above mentioned artist will perform a concerto by Mendelssohn and a fantasia by himself. The va viosreet | the Eighth symphonie, by Bestho- pete tra an aye, exquisite music to Midsummer Saas Ded ane eer overture by Bargiel, played hore she ong oa Raman moraten, Gn Wap deat, SOUTH ‘AMERICA. PROGRESS OF THE PLATE WAR. Bolivia Sends an Envoy to Paraguay. Contemplated Alliance Between the Two Republics. &eo, &e. &. Our Rie Janeiro Corresponde: Bio Jasumo, Nov. OPERATIONS OF THE RIVAL ARMIES. The mail steamer Mersey arrived here on the Sth inst., with dates from Buenos Ayres to the 20th, and from Montevideo to the 30th ultimo. The summary of news from the seat of war is very meagre, in consequence of the distance to bo traversed by the allied armies in order to reach the territory occupied by the Paraguayan forces. The allied forces wore advancing through Corrientes, and the various divisions were being concentrated at Marcedes and {ts environs. At this spot the generals wore deliberating on the plan of future operations, THR PARAGUAYAN ARMY RETREATING. Although the Paraguayan army was at a considerable distance from the allies, it was retreating, and the main body had reached Empredado, a little bolow the town of Corrientes. It is even supposed that some columns had recrossed the Parana. In this retreat they were laying waste everything before them, presumably for the pur- pose of rendering the advance of the allies as difficult and embarrassing as possible. On the Parana the batte- ries they had constructed had entirely disappeared, but low tides still prevented the Braailian fleet from going up higher than Belta Vista. ‘A BRAZIIAN DIVISION CROSBES THE URUGUAY. ‘The Brazilian division, under the command of General Baron Porto Alegre, had commenced crossing the river Uruguay over to the Corrientes .territory, through which they were expected to pass into Paraguay. ARRIVAL OF A DOLIVIAN MINIBTER IN PARAGUAY. News had also reached the River Plate, by a passenger who passed through Corramba and Assumption, where he remained one month; that an expeditionary i, had been sent from Paraguay to discover the road t Bolivia, in which enterprise they had succeeded; and by the same route he reports that a minister from the Bolivian government had reached the capital of Paraguay, and had been received§with great public demonstrations It is presumed that the object of his visit is to effect a eom- pact between the two republics for combined defensive and offensive operations. BUILDING OF A BRAZTIIAN IRON-OtAD. A heavy iron-clad vessel is being built at tho navy yard of this place, EXPECTED RETURN OF THE RMPRROR. Great preperations are being mode for the \- tion of the Emperor, who is expected about the 12th inst. Triumphal arches are being erected tn the rua Diveita (the Broadway of Rio Janeiro), and the street will be aplendidly decorated with flowers and rave plants. Brooklyn City News. Axornen BurGuany—$1,330 Worm ov Prorerry Srouex.—The promises of Mr. Fay, No. 870 State street, were entered from the rear of the house early on the evening of the 9th inst., while the family were in the lower part of the house, and the followiny property sue- cessfully car away by the rogues:—Three gold watches and chains, valued at $1,000; one gold erueffix, valued at $100; one gold ring, valued at $i; one gold watch seal, worth $30, and $160 in gold and silver coin—in all $1,830 worth of property. The rogues in their hurry left $6,000 in government bonds and $250 in greenbacks, which were as accessible to them as the things they took away. The Louse of Mr. Fay is situated on the rear of the lot, one hundred feet from the main street. The rogues got access to the third story of the house by ascending the trellis work of the grape arbor. Mr. Fay was a fortunate bounty broker during the late war, and the rogues no doubt thought he could well afford to distribute a small amount of bis wealth to them, Cousterrerters Coxvicrep.—Two young men, named J. Veller and Emil Muller, were tried and convicted in the Brooklyn Court of Sesstons yesterday, on an indict- ment for passing counterfeit bills, purporting to be on the Jefferson County Bank. They were remanded for sentence. Lapies’ Fain.—The Ladies’ Fair at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, which opened on last Monday even- ing, for the building of Catholic schools, with great success, will continue throughout the weel., closing on Saturday night. The stalls of the various lady managers present a fine array of appropriate articles, Fam ov tae Lavres or Porwran Cavren.—The ladies of Puritan church, corner of DeKalb avenue and Wal- worth street, are now holding a fair, the proceeds of which are to go to liquidate the church debt. The fair is heid in the chapel of the church, The tables, con- ducted by lady managers, consist of toys, books, con- fectionery, fancy and useful artic! The Mayor's Printing Veto. Mayor's Orrick, New York, Dei BT To THe Hoxonante rue BoARD ov Screnve GestieMES—I return herewith, without my signature, a resolution of your honorable body directing the Comp. troller to draw his warrant in tavor of the New York Printing Company for the sum of one thousand five han- dred dollars for printing five thousand copies of new election Jaw, and for printing and delivering cir- culars and notices to inspectors and canvassers, ne following are the items of the bill accompanying resolution :— UNTY oF Naw York to tue Naw York Prisrixc merant, De For 5,000 new election law, at 20°, Printing ind delivering by messengers ciroulars in relation to ailing» vacancies of in. xpectors, 500 nt 5 Do. do, Notices t $1,000 Total, Printing Company, for gain of over three handre The printing and delivering by meseengers of the cir- cuiars alluded to in the resolution amount on the lat two items contained in the bill accompanying the same 3 charges are equally ¢ learned from the pol a jars were not delivered by the messengers of the Print ing Company, bat through the agency of that depart- ment, Only two thonsand copies of the new election law re received at he Police Headquarters, and I have son to believe that not more than half the number of copies charged in the bill were ined. FREY GUNTHER, Mayor. News from Cairo. FATAL BOILER EXPLOSION-—-MOBILH AND On10 RAILROAD, ETC. Cairo, Dec. 18, 1865. A boiler in the Ti)inois Central Railroad freight depot ex- ploded this morning, in: tly killing the engineer, Kovert Hal!, A piece of the boiler, weighing about a ton, was forced upward through the roof several hundred feet, hundred feet from its original position, bah the pavement, The cause of the ex- Bight Reoaves nnd forty bales of cotton passed for St. Lonis yesterday, end to-day #@vonsiderable quantity for c ine ‘Transportation facilities on the Mobile and Ouio Rail Toad are being daily increased, A large number of new engines, cart, &c., have arrived from New Haven, which are being sent to Columbus, Ky. Daily trains will ran through to Mobile im & few days, ‘The weather is very cold, News from Tennessee. Nasuvinie, Dec. 13, 1965, ‘The river is twenty six inches deep on the shoal falling. ‘The first snow of the season fell here to-d Richard Byrne, keeper of the tollgate \¢ Lebanon pike, was murdered last night by « bend of robbers, Three distinct shots took efect im bis body, either of which was fatal. The band proceeded on the pike end robbed fifteen other persons living along the road. They then decamped and have not since been heard of. ‘The cotton market opened dull to-day, and closed at 20c. a 40c, with a decided upward tendency onder favorable advices from the East. Receipts to-day, 137 bales; shipments, 229 bales; total amount of cotton received here sinc® September 1, 33,11) bales, News from San Francisco. SEVERAL COASTING SCHOONERS LOST IN THR LATE STORM—LEGAL TENDERS NOT RECEIVED FOR FINES IN THE COUNTY COURT—PANIC IN MINING srouKs, BTC. San Francisco, Dec. 12, 1866. Fight mall coasting vesse! repo = storm up the coast. They all belonged to San ran “Seles Dwinnell yesterday decided that lego! tenders could not bo received for fines in the County Court. There ie a panic in mining stocks and a further decline pone tare, $650; Yellow Jacket, $210; Ophir, Carry, § $800; Challar Potosi, $150. Seog ship Bo Robin Hood, for New York. Coal oil, $1; ow YA batter, 3350, $4230, Legal lenders, 65),¢. News trom Oregon. Portiann, Oregon, yp, 12, 1866, ‘The Sierra Nevada sailed to-day” for Francinco With $330,000 in treasure. The New York beer Rattiroad. ALBaxy, Dec. 1865. an mare by he bere | Railroad ‘arouses held td me mond was re-elected President Vice President. ‘The imere On! rom par ne crwonn, Det, Th 1668, Imously elected 2,% Sere Rag., was uneni y Pe i Baltimore aad Ohio vouay. 7 Sentence of Ortminals. Bostrom, Doc. 13, 1868 cated ia the murder of Frank Rag- the House, at C! tor, and wore aso x each, The night via ved, bark Adelaide abienere, for Rio Janowe; Maudorne, for the West Mountain Kagte, Baltimore for Charleston. NEWSPAPER CIRCULATION. Reeeipts of Saics of the New York Datty Newspapers. OrrictaL, Tear nding Name of Paper May 1, 1866. HRRALD........20cseeeese reece eecsess $1,096,008 252,000 169,42 100,008 -Times, Tribune, World and Sun combiacd.. 871,898 NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC. Gur city subscribers will confor a favor by reporting any of our city carriers who overchargo-for the Hunace. Country subscribers to the New Yoru. Hanaso ace re- quested to remit their subscriptions, whenever practt- cable, by Post Office Orders, It ig the safest mode of transmitting money by mail. Advertisements should be seat to the office before uine o'clock in the evening. Famo been for theit mit that there is LON'S NIGHT the Bey of Tunis. All Legal Lottery PrizesCashed. Draw- circulars and iaformation sent. J. R. CLAYTON, 10 Wall street, All Prizes Cashed in Legal Lotteries.— Ciroularsand drawings sent CLUTE, Broker, 176 Broadway. Mach’ Making the elastio an@ Broadway. A Boon.—Ward’s Ladies’ apes Co! AND CUFFS. ALSO GENTS’, wholesale and retail, y's Collar gent free to the’ trade, with list of prices. and drawings of different mien |, W. H, WARD, 387 Broadway, N. ¥. A.—Richmond is ahs gona measure a superior quality of Boots, Slippers of every rioty, for. ladies ‘children, mense stock of as the Moriscos Have ooh aehy fumes, the Amnbaseadore cable to PHA. LOOMING SEREUS of which thoy wi pig from the Bay of jew York to enchant A Silent iris celebrated “Wilcox & Gil durable. A. A. Shoes, Gaiters gents, misses, boys an Beady, made goods on hand all at reasonable prices ICHMOND, 150 Fulton street, near Broadway. At M. T. Hi, ns’ Mammoth Millinery, 26 Sixth avenue, near Tonth strect, 1,000 trimmed Velveb Bonnets, at $10, id $15. A.—Upha ph (Asthma Cure Never Fails to relieve the mos! t paroxysms in by DEMAS BAINES ry Cu. 21 Park row. A Clear, Whit Smooth Skin.—Hunt's White Virgin Wax of Antilles gives great brilllancy to the complesion; wade from pure white wax; quite harmless DEMAS BARNES & CO), and all drnggiat. and Porter. MACPHERSON & DONALD SMITH, Fale Ales and Porter, renth and Eighth ava. N. We. *4 Toilet Articles, suitable for Holiday Presents, ab THOMAS & MORRISET?S, 815 Broadway, N. ¥. An Establ BRONCHIAL TRO Vished remedy for Co is, tis, Haarseness and otber treaties ‘of the. ‘Throat rote gos Their reputation and extensive use has bi rouse wat imitations, 9 presented to be the same. Obtain only “BROWN'S BRON- 1AL TROCHES.” A Splendid Assortment of Furs—Every vets a shionable style. Pricos based ov the it—nos on the new (-fushioned rate-or get-all-yon-can syatem, GENIN, 513 Broadway. e—The Best in the world, harmless, reliable and Instantaneous, The oaly feet Dye. erating Kxtract of Milleflurs. serves and restores the hair. St Barclay street, New York, —* Brown's nown as an estab- rmometer—May be seen at Chamber of Hair Dye—Best in Mar cents. Sold by all Draggists. Depoi, Bunions, Enta: Corns, ed Joints and all diseases of the feet, cured by Dr. ZACHARIE, 700 Bread- way. Cristadoro’s Hair Dye, Preservative and W dey he dyes ia pei the Worla.— aks seliing at iesGar BROTHERS, 113 Nassau street. K. & H. TT. Anthony & Co., 501 Bread- way, St. Nicholas block, Holiday Presents. Canal street; elegant Mink © Muffs and Collara, Chil. ¥ Tur Trimmed Hoods, Genta’ Fur Fai Furs. ALL'S Fur Business has removed {rom 83 oS i 459 Broadway, where ladies will, see & large ae- soriment of the finest Fars ia the city, and 90 per ceat cl er than any other piace. Grover & Baker's Highest Premiam Elastic Stiteh Family Sewing Machines, 496 Broadway. tic Stiteh Sewing M. Macisines for tai day Presents of Affection and Char. IKELER & WILSOWR Locks Bute Sewing Ma- Nines ‘aud Button Hole Machines, 62 Broadway. Niday Gift Ly eer re MAS & Monet York. Hewe Sewin, ELIAS HOWE, Jn, at 7 Machine Compa: ident, 629 Broadway en. Hornce Greetey Will Speak and Varieck streets, Improved Lock Stitch Machines—Fer {gilore aud manutacty GROVER & BAKER SEWING NEC Franklin tied Aiew and Pa Royal Havana furnished, The highest Prizes paid tn gold, Information rates, paid for goubloons and all ses fold and ellver. 1 . Bankers, 16 Wall street, New York. Mr ‘Moth, aa ge Discoloreda rth Marks, on, removed without pai HARVEY. 47 ‘Amity street. sultation free. 0 Otter ho) re 10 to my c Difference —time & crown:? but Rox in intent myle of winter tia comfortable Becoming, easy and ¢ — Lies the Hea@ that, wears one of for gentlemen is always ewe head coves ireme! enn be abe Pace ox ante mee 18t Ful serond 39 Brosaway, ui Prescots w of your stomec Year ctodsach to complain of endure are sim the sou i hivrins * Srowact BITTBRS, alproper ai Bitters in a week woold pat you feet order, rey C laws of bel Irene nd regular dieting, with » Witte of the Toule now and then, would keep rouse. If you hare meg. lected these means of eure, don’t your 1 Ist a sraate hel. lp. u vellion It is merely Gatare’s that abe waate bel ~g frome ober ha (hing «bei tore, 0 EWS BITTERS ata; bab Dyspepsia may engender diseases which defy all restora ves, New Yorkoficn, 69 Cedar s treet, Trimmed Derbies Jockeys, for La- dies, Miesen and Children, in Velve Bacers Felts, the largeut variety In New York, from $6 to 816. ‘ T. HIGGINS, Memoth | Mu ners. 128 Sexth aw The Southern E: aa Com For the tranqsertaitun's ean ay le Packages, Specie. Hank. Notes. Sento ali para of the South a walre e MEET POMPANY roadway, New You poy sy] oesedi, wo be @ Bro was Pde fy ct ables tnivera’ to Marden’. Kine. tey's, A "tntved 8 to xpreaa” Companies for ee Seonpeny receive prompt des- Apply at the office ef wearin, unt ly pany, Wile, eeadttonk pica) "Ra reoh & Co.’e Old Katablished we, ‘auadd a Faeroe ss OIC’ Mill ai NO. 2 Vener airect, Lady Ca err en eg Geatiomon' Caaton | giimeee “un oy w Nes. rh cow ang