The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1864-01-30
FROM TOPEKA.
Correspondence of THE NEws.

/
Regiment Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. and
requesting the President TO promote him
to a Brigadier General, was considered yes
terday morning. Most of the forenoon was
spent thereon. A dozen or two amend
ments were offered, adding the names of as
many Colonels. This, of course, was done
in order to kill the thing. Several motions
were made, which if adopted, would have
knocked the resolution into cooked hat,
but they all failed. After lengthy discus
sion, the resolution was finally, on motion
of Mr.. Eskridge, referred to special com
mittee of three. The chair appointed Messrs.
Eskridge, Reynolds and --, such COM
mittee. I do not think the resolution will
be adopted. 1t is argued that it would be
wrong to thus make a distinction among
our brave Colonies, and that it would have
no effect with the President, inasmuch as
he already has information from official
sources as to whom are deserving of pre-
motion.
In the afternoon, the resolution introduced
by Mr.. Orem of Doniphan, to submit an
amendment of the constitution to a vote of
the people, striking out the word white, so
as to allow colored men to vote, Sam. Wood
moved to strike out the word male" so
as to confer upon women tie right OF suf-
frage.
Mr.. Pickering Of Woodson, made few
eloquent and well-timed remarks against
the resolution. He was decidedly opposed
to negro suffrage.
Judge Wakefield said that although it
was true, that, as had been said, the color
ed men had fought bravely, yet they were
fighting for their liberties but if you allow
them to vote now, before they learn the
laws, you are going too fast. He thought
there would be danger of negro voters be-
ing bought up by unprincipled Office seekers.
He believed Mr. Woods amendment to be
intended for joke. We had better educate
the blacks before we allow them to vote.
The Judge concluded his remarks by ad-
monishing members to go sEoa0 on this sub
ject-to think seriously and be cautious.
Mr.. Wood said that if they though this
amendment was intended as joke, they
were mistaken. He was in earnest He
was willing to have it go out that if we are
to let negroes vote, he was willing to confer
the same right on women. With regard to
allowing negroes to vote, if he consulted his
own feelings, he should vote for the propo-
sition; but if he consulted his constituents,
he should vote againstit. So far as | am
concerned, 1 do not, by going to the polls
and voting, equalize myself with them. 1t
has nothing to do with social equality.
do not partake of the fears of some that leg
islation is necessary in order to keep the
white man above the negro.
Mr.. Ellis of Miami, spoke against negro
suffrage.
Mr.. Mcbride of Johnson, said he came
here instructed upon the subject. He op-
posed the resolution.
Discussion was continued until time to
adjourn. The resolution was finally refer
red to the Judiciary Committee All at
tempts to get rid of this thing without ia
king a direct vote thereon, having failed,
members will probably yet have the blessed
opportunity to record their votes for OR
against, before many days. Good
This morning, House Joint Resolution
No. l, to change Sections and 3 of Arti-
Gle of the Constitution, to allow soldiers
to vote, came up among the general orders.
Mr.. Rogers of Usage, moved that it be
made the special order for two weeks from
to-day. He said that within that time de-
cisiOn of the Supreme Court would be rem
dered, as to whether our volunteers now
have the right 10 vote. The motion pre-
vailed.
Eighty three bills have already been in
troduced. This will be aCorking session.
Railroad caucuses are numerous. Your
Senator and Representatives are untiring
workers. Mr.. Maxson in particular is com
pletely wrapt up in railroad scenes.
Yours in haste, D.
TOPEKA, Jan. 18th, 1854.
P. S.-Mr. Eskridge's bill to organize
the State Normal School, was recommend
ed to pass, in Committee of the Whole to-
day. Also, An Act to establish Geologi-
cal Survey of the State. 1t authorizes the
Governor to appoint State Geologist, who
shall visit every county of the State. and
classify the rocks and analze the various
soils and report by the 1st of December.
1864.
1t provides that $500 shall be the max
imum expense. The bill will pass to-mor-