The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-15
IMPORTANT PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
THIRTY-sIXTH CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.

WAStNGIuS, jan Ii loou.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.
Mr. hGIR, (opp.) of Pa, introduced bin proposing
the following amendments the constitution to be voted
on for rejection approval by the people, the 18th of
February
Whereas the Union is in imminent danger OF final dis
solution in consequence Of proracted strife and agta
tion about the institution OF African slavery and
Whereas it is believed that legislative remedies are in
disaster; and
submitted by vote of twohrds OF both houses of Con-
gress, and owing to the unhappy divisions existing in
these houses 1t is not believed that the assent of
thirds Of the members of either can be had to such
amendments TO the constitution as will reconcile the diff
ferences between the North and the South; and
Whereas, as II is cardinal principal of represen
tatve system, that the representative shall obey the
win Of the people, it is deemed proper and necessary
ask the opinion and judgment Of the people the pro
posed amenements TO the constitution, with view TO
their submission by vote Of twohrds of each branch
of Congress- for ratification by the States provided
in the constitution thereby restoring TO our DISTRACTED
country its accustomed peace and prosperity.
Therefore, Be It enacted by the Senate and House Of
Representatives that the citizens Of the several States
qualified TO vote for members Of Congress- hereby
requested TO hold election Tuesday the 18th day Of
feoruary next or the purpose OF deciding or or against
the annexed proposed amendments to the constitution OF
the United States
SECTION And be it further enacted, that those who
for the proposed amendments TO the consultation shall
vote ballot bearing the words For the ancndments,
and those opposed TO the amendments ballot bearing
the words, Against the amendments"
SECTION 3.-1he said election shall be held at the
places in the manner and under ths same laws
the last election for President and Vice President OF the
United States, and be conducted by the judges in
spectors and other officers.
SECTION 4-The return judges of the several election
districts in each county shall meet at the county seat
the Thursday following the day Of the said election and
count the returns for the said county setting forth the
whole number Of votes cast for the amendments and the
whole number Of votes cast against the amendments
one copy of which shall be forwarded by mail TO the
Secretary Of the Senate Of the United States and another
to the Governor Of the Stae and that sent the Governor
shall contain q statement OF the actual
penses Of holding said election.
SECTION 5.-That the compensation Of the officers hold
ing the said election, and the other expenses thereof
shall be the same the compensation OF the expenses of
holding the last election for President and Vice President
and shall be paid out Of the United States Treasury in
manner hereinafter provided
SECTION 6Ihat the Governors Of the several States
hereby respectfully requested to cause TO be made out
and forwarded 10 the Secretary Of the Interior tabular
statement of the Of expenses for holding the said
election in their respective States exhibiting the amount
due each county atested under the seal of State by
the proper officers and the Secretary Of the Interior shall
draw drafts the United states Treasury in favor Of the
Governors Of the respective States for the amounts due
the several counties, TO be paid TO the parties in each
county entitled receive the sane and the Secretary of
the Treasury is hereby authorized and required pay
the amount Of said drafts out OF any money in the Irca
srcnoS THAT ii shall be the duty of the
Secretary the said election
be opened counted and filed fast received and
tabular statements to be made exhibiting the result
in each State, copy Of which shall be delivered
the President Of the senate for the of that body
another the Speaker of the House Of Representatives
for the Of that body and hereby made the duty
of each and all clerks in the employment Of the
Senate addition the other duties assist the
tary IN the performance OF the duties hereby imposed
upon him.
SECTION S-That the President Of the United States is
hereby authorized to issue proclamation TO the Govern
all others in civil authority and 10 the people
the several States announcing to them the day liked for
the said election, presenting It's general objects, and
questiDg their cordial cooperation IN prompt and faith
u execution Of the provisions Of this at, ~ -,
sIeo~ 9Ihet shall be the duty or the secretary Of
the Interior Immediately after the passage Of this act
copies of the 70 printed and for
warded by mail to the sheris OF the several counties OF
each State and the said Sbers hereby requested
make proclamation, In not more than two newspapers in
each county, Of the day OF said election, setting
forth the proposed amendments 10 bo voted
and the expenses incurred under The provisions
OF this section shall be paid as hereinafter pro
vided for the other expenses OF the said election
and that the following articles be- aud they are hereby
proposed amendments to tho constitution, which sha
be valid to all m'enis and purposes as part o. sad con
fourths Of tho States, held for that purpose
H. 5aat h so held s or % a. may hsresf' be
from east 70 west on the parallel Of 81 degrees 30 minutes
in all the territory north Of said line Of
serynde except as & e I lor
Involuntary servade as now exists in the states south Of
d BY Is al hss se sna s f
oria and when any Territory north and south
scribe shall contain the population requisite member
y SsSS e e ns1 . ss G hsaP Re- e
sy Of % admit hs s@s Tls ss into the On
and
s " ssys s snp 2 SS % s the
and y just co
seg 70 hs q r. such
ses,iCn Of the fourth article Of the
provide and shall Be is duty = provide ha!
Marshal other oncsr whose duty said
na s Ss'ss se sAs Se
% Il. sso g spd %
ys said clause in he constitution, and The laws
sSs in ssr own ns. I'M .hs county when
from IL with interest," damage 10 that amount paid BY them
sf ps ss he said aoun n | 'DSS
nifty and recover as wrong "a or Sc M BY
gye slave in Ike manner as the owner himself might have
XRnclk S-Consress shan have power to prohbi. or
hinder the q SLAVES from state 70 soo,r
6e held whether the transpor.aon Be BY land naveabe
yyed except by the unanimous consent Of both branches Of
AsI,eIr s-Hereaf,er the President OF the Uned states
shall hold Office during the term Of sI years. and shall not be
zRTcIs THE constitution shall be hereafter
ed SO the effect cr ~ % s d OF & e
third the section OF the fourth article tho
aessTog snS domestic Institution q sass Without ,Se
consent Of all the states.
Mr.. WILSON, (rep) Of Mass moved ts reference to tho
Mr.. BciER objected.
Mr.. TRrSBrII, (rep.) of nl.-This bin proposes to
change the constitution in an unconstitutional way 50
important bill, changing the fundamental laws Of the
country should be referred 10 the committee.
Mr.. PueH, (opp) Of oho-l don't understand The oil
yet.
Mr.. Bcrrz vas unwilling 70 have the bill referred in
the absence OF the Senator from Kentucky. Is not an
attempt 70 interfere with the rights Of the people.
Mr.. BRowS, (opp) Of Miss-hr. President-rhe record
which the senate about 10 make viii show the aosence
Of the Senators from Alabama, Florida and Mississippi
rise say in word why this Is So These States have
taken steps 10 withdraw from this Union Of which we
are not 80 we'll informed officially to Justly our snal
notice Of withdrawal from tho Senate But we feel that
our duty most clearly to ourselves no longer pers
US 10 take an active part in this body, either By speaking
or voting Ny colleague (ir Davs) Is confined TO his
room but these remarks made 81 his request and he
concurs In what have said
xrr... IA. vna4nr