New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-01-29
Amendments to The Constitution.
BASIS OF REPRESENTATION.
The Present agitation Of the Negro
Suffrage Question Deprecated.
WASHINGTON, Jan. %. 1865.

The following is the substance Of converse
eior which took place today. between the President
a8d a distinguished Senator:
The President said be doubted the propriey at this
sine Of making any further amendments 10 the Consti
sutton Ore great amendment had already been made.
10y which Slavery had forever been abolished within
he limits of tie United States and National guaran.
zee thus given that that institution should never again
exist In the land Propositions to amend the COnstitu-
ION are becoming as numerous preambes and reso-
buttons at town meetings called to consider the most
ordinary questions connected with the administration
sf local affairs AL this In his option, had atendency
% diminish the dignity and prestige attached TO the
Constitution Of the county, and 10 lessen the respect
snd confidence of the people in their great charter OF
freedom. II, however, amendments arc 10 be made 70
theCOnstitution ch4D ing the basis of representation
snd taxation (and lie did deem them at all necessary
- the present tine) he knew Of none better than
simple proposition embraced in few lines making In
zach State tho number Of qualified voters the basis OF
representation and the vaue Of property the basis OF
direct taxation Such proposition could be embraced
y the following TERMS
Representatives shall be apportiored among the
several States which may be included within this
Union, according to the number Of qualified voters In
each State. Direct taxes shall DO apportioned among
she several States which may be included within this
Unicn according the value Of all taxable property
an each State An amendment Of this kind would, in
his opinion place the basis of representation and direct
caxation upon correct principles.
The qualified voters were for the most part men who
were subject TO draft and enlistment when 1t was ne.
essary to repe invasion, suppress rebellion and quel
domestic violence and nsurrecton They risked their
ives ssed their bio 3D. sbd their oil to uphold the Gov
-.rnment and give protection. security and value to
property. 1t seemed but Just that property should
compensate for the benefits thus conferred by deayng
he expenses incident TO its protection and
enjoyment. Such an amendment, the President
also suggested. would remove from Congress all issues
N reference to the political equality Of the races 1t
would leave the States determine absolutely the quail
scatons Of their voters witt regard to color and
thus the number Of TO which they woud
5c entitled in Congress would depend upon the number
upon which they conferred the right Of suffrage.
The President, in this connection, expressed the
opinion that the agitation Of the negro franchise ques
ton in the District Of Columbia. at this time the
mere entering wedge to the agitation Of the question
throughout the States and illtimed. uncaled for,
and calculated to do great harm.
He believed that it would engender enmity. conten-
ion and strife between the two races and lead to a
war between them which would result in great injury
70 both and the certain determination Of the negro
population. Precedence be thought, should be given
% more important and urgent matters legislation upon
which was essential for the restoration OF tie Union
she peace Of the country nnd the prosperity Of the
garople