Associated press dispatches.
Congressional — Paying the army — respect to the memory of the Lute President — the rebel debt not to be assumed, and the Federal debt to be paid--Mr. Davis, why not tried — Mexico, does she Seek recognition?--the test oath not to be dispensed with — Right of suffrage in the District--Mr. Stevens on the Southern States.
Washington, December 18th.
--In Senate, Mr. Grimes presented the petition of Admiral Farragut and one thousand one hundred other naval officers, asking an increase of pay. Referred.
Mr. Wilson submitted a resolution providing for the appointment of an examining board to relieve officers of the regular army who have not rendered meritorious service in the late war, and fill their places by appointments from the Regular Army Veteran Reserve Corps and voluntary force.
Mr. Wilson also offered a bill to grant a million of acres of public land for the benefit of public schools in the District of Columbia.
Mr. Foot, from the "Lincoln Committee," offered a resolution that the 12th of February be selected as the day on which the testimonials of respect be paid to the memory of the late President, on which occasion Congress will listen to an address from the Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, and the President and Cabinet, the Foreign Ministers, and the officers of the Army and Navy who have received the thanks of Congress be invited.
After an Executive session, the Senate adjourned.
In the House, Mr. Harris, of Maryland, and Mr. Hooper, of Utah, appeared and qualified.
The credentials of Mr. James M. Johnson, member elect from the Third District of Alabama, were presented and referred to the Committee on Reconstruction.
Mr. Price, of Iowa, offered a preamble setting forth that as an attempt may come in some shape to repudiate the national and assume the rebel debt, (!!) therefore Resolved, That no representatives from the Southern States should be admitted until an amendment be made to the Constitution precluding such result. Referred to the Committee on Reconstruction.
Mr. Moulton offered a resolution calling upon the President to inform the House why Jefferson Davis has not been tried for treason against the United States, and what, if any, obstacles stand in the way of a trial. Objection being made, the resolution lies over.
On motion of Mr. Orth, a resolution was adopted, calling on the President for any information showing whether the "so-called" Mexican Empire has asked recognition from the United States.
A resolution was passed declaring that the test oath shall not be dispensed with.
Mr. Wilson reported a bill from the Committee on the Judiciary to extend the right of suffrage in the District of Columbia. Made the order of the day for the 10th January.
The House went into Committee of the Whole on the President's Message.
Mr. Stevens made a speech in regard to the Southern States, contending that, having placed themselves in rebellion, they were in the attitude of a belligerent, and the war had been waged against the United States accordingly. They were in the character of conquered provinces, and it was for the conquerors to declare what should be done with them. They were dead, and it was for Congress to give life to the dead body by the passage of such laws as would bestow upon them republican institutions, as provided by the Constitution.
Without the same political and civil rights enjoyed by the white citizens, the conditions of the blacks would be worse than they were in a state of slavery.
The object and scope of his remarks was to give the blacks the rights claimed by the Declaration of Independence and to place the South in a territorial condition, with the view of their subsequent admission as free States.
