The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-12-13

The Senate met Of twelve o'clock noon,
and was called to ordea by Vice,Presi.
dent Foster, The Reverend Mr.. Gray
then offered up q prayer.
Mr.. Wade presented . bill to regulate
the elective franchise 10 the District Of
Columbia. The bill provides that, from
and after this passage, every male citizen
Of ftNenty-one years Of age, who is q cit
iEen Of the Uniteo States, a resident Of
the District for six months, and never
convicted Of an infamous crime, shall
have the right Of suffrage ID the District.
Section two impose q penalty for in.
~terruption or interference with the right
granted above. The bill was ordered to
be printed. Ou0a "gfll NV aai'}s
Mr.. Sumner introduced q bill to pre-
serve the right Of trial by jury, which
provides that grand juriss shall CONSIST,
onc.half Of persons Of African descent,
in sections where one.sixth Of the popu-
lation are Africans, and the same proper
ton Of petit juries. Where matter re-
lates 70 any injuries. inflicted by . person
Of African descent upon a person not Of
such descent or uiiee versa, aud prejudice
against such African race, Is made q
ground Of challenge aud exclusion from
such %juries. The bill was ordered to be
printed. nfVeEaEb ~ EsH
Mr.. Sumner introduced a bill prescrib-
ing on oath TO maintain a republican form
Of government 10 the States lately in re.
bellion, as. follows : ae'i ie }sg.1l
l do hereby swear that I will at all
times hereafter use my best endeavors to
maintain a republican form of govern
ment in the State of which | am an iu-
habiiani, and in the Union of the United
States. Twill at all times recognizable
indisSoluble unity Of the Republic and
will always discountenahcs and resent
any ondeavors to break away or secede
from The Union ; that l will give my in
luence aud vote Of all times to sustain
the National credit ; that | will. always
discountepance and resist any attempt,
directly or indirectly, to repudiate or pro.
tract, either in my part or, in any way,
the debt which was contracted by the
United States in subduing the rebellion,
or the obligations assumed to the Union
soldiers; will always discounteuancc and
resist any laws making any distinctions
Of color or race, and always will strive to
maintain a State Government, complete.
ly j oyalto the Union, where all men shall.
enjoy equal protection and equal rights.
Such oath shall be preserved, aud, if
falsely taken, such person shall be guilty
Of perjury, and in addition to the pres
ent penalty for that crime, be shall for
felt his right to hold office. 'a 'h
Mr. Sumner introduced . bill to give
the right OF suffrage to persons Of color
in the District Of ColumJiay which was
printed. ia b. n.i ~. H.f m -9l
Mr.. Sumner introduced a joint resolu.
tion proposing to amend the Constitution
so as to make voters, instead. Of popula-
ton, the basis Of representation in Con-
gress. I
Mr.. Sumner introduced a series Of res
oluttons declarato,y Of the duty Of Con-
gress, especially in respect to the loyal
citizens Of the States lately in rebellion.
The second and third days of the Sen
ate was taken up in arranging tho Com
mittees. Not o Southern member is on
q committee and very few from the West.
Connecticut has three Of the most in-
ported ones. New England, with q pop
ulation but q trife more than the State Of
New York, has a majority Of the Senate
of the whole Union.
Sumner introduced in one day seven
bills, all for tho negro.
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