The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-05-25
Bills AND RESOLUTIONS.

76, 81, IS, IO4 and 1l6 as correctly en-
rolled.
Bills AND RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. Walker offered 3 resolution re-
ouesting the Governor to offer q re-
ward of $1,000 for the arrest of VIM.
/ Snow, a notorious guerilla and murder
! er. This wa amended by adding the
names Of about q dozen other notori>
Gus guerillas, when the resolution as
amended was referred to the Judiciary
Committee, with instructions to bring
in p bill to meet the case.
BY Mr.. Duggan: A bill requiring
guerillas, returned rebel soldiers and
others 10 give up their arms. Passed,
and referred to the Judiciary Commit
tee.
z BILLS on SECOND READINGS.
House bill No. I31, to provide for the
payment of taxes in lawful money.
Passed.
House bill No. 49,, regulating the
elective franchise, being the order of
the day, was taken up.
A dicussion sprang up and occupied
the attention of the House, until it sd-
jouTned for dinner.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The consideration of the franchise
bill was resumed.
Mr.. Moss argued TO the effect that
all persons who have voluntarily given
up their allegiance. TO the Government
by engaging in the rebellion have nee
e~ssarily forfeited all their constitution
al rights 70 citizenship. They are dis
franchIsed and the question properly
at issue was, shall we restore them.
Mr.. Gaut discussed the questio n lu-
eidly, mostly in its legal and constitu-
tional bearings He contended that the
legal effect Of the minority bill is to
p~erpetually disfranchise rebels, alS
though nominally the restriction is con
fined to five years Il is not the province
of the legislature to decide who are gull
ty and who are not that is a matter
solely confined TO the courts. All citi
zens are entitled to vote who have not
been convicted of an infamous crime.
Those returning rebels who are now
swarming into Our State have not been
convicted, consequently we can take !
no action in their case. We are sworn
70 support the constitution of our State, |
and that Instrument explicitly pre-
vents Us from disquslifying any man
from exercising the elective franchise.
No retrospective law can be passed. |
but all laws must have reference TO
crimes hereafter to be committed. 1t
is our bounded duty TO be governed by
the laws of the General Government
In obedience TO the laws, President Lin
coin in his ~magnanimity, restored the
masses who have been engaged in the
rebellion, to citizenship, then how
could we pass any law coming in con
fict with such decision. Those men
who have been fighting against us, are
now to live with us, and be subject TO
al the burdens Of citizenship, then
would il be just or wise to deprive
them Of the benefits of such relation
ship BY the Constitution OF cur State.
20 man shall be deprived Of his life or
liberty without due conviction by law
Mr. Gaut finished his speech by saying
that ms remarks were suggested, not
that be wanted traitors to 20 unpun.
ished, or treason not to be made obi.
Gus, but simply by a desire to define
the boundaries Of our legislation on the
subject at issue, and, taking this view of
the matter he could not vote to dis
franchise a large portion OF our popula-
ton, because such action would be in
direct violation Of his oath.
MI. Grimmet spoke briefly on the sub
iect de remarked that while he, with
other gentlemen, took an oath to sup
port the constitution, he did not swear
to support the construction which 9th
ers might place on it He commended /
that the United States did not fix the
question Of State franchise but left it
70 be regulated by individual States
We have the power 10 d~isfFanchise reb-
els, but II, as is contended, they can
not be disffauchised, and are entitled
20 su the rights of citizenship, then is
Jefferson Davis entitled TO the same
privileges before he Is convicted
Mr. Garrett spoke at some length de-
Tending the majority bill, but generally
went over the same ground already oc-
cupled lie vas very emphatic, how
ever, in asserting that We could pass no
retrospective law. The Constitution
deprives us Of the right of en-.
-NAAAE Jaws h4AAA h0AH0 IAN ElAul 4
rance of crimes committee, four wears !
ago He 0uld not vote for disfranchising !
fourths Of our population, know /,
very well that s very large number =
Of those were compelled to Join the i.
army, snd were now, and have s
been throughout Just as good citizens n
ls ourselves. :
MIR Doughty obtained the hoor, and s
spoke at some length very forcibly in 3
iayor of the minority bill lie denied 4
very empha6caliy the assertion made 8
on the hOor, that rebels-many of 2
them, at least-were as honest and
honorable as Union mep. He tbonght
that when it was the policy Of the GEN.
eral Government that traitors should he {
punished and treason made odious. We
should not indulge in mistaken lenity
towards men who brought about the ?
ealamities snd bloodshed Of II
the last four years He contended that ;
the Constitution as amended gave us :
powert 10 legisiate IN reference to I
limiting the elective franchise, and he 1
hoped that in justice 70 the truly loyal !
who have been ~uuswerving ia their de- 7
10 the Union through evil and =
through good report rebels and trail .
should be made 70 know that the 7
way Of the trsnsgressoF h hard.