The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-02-27

credentials OfSenators or members from
any of the southern states until they
have previously passed law for the al
mission of that state. This Is In exact
accordance with what Congress has in
dicated as It's intention heretofore. II
was indicated In the last Congress, in Q
resolution which came directly from the
Committee on the Judiciary, of which
Mr.. johnson was then a member, AM
he Mr.. Fessenden] was informed tba
it had his concurrence, not applicable u
all the states, but to one of them. 1t wa
contained in report made to the Sen
ate on the subject Of the state govern
ment of Louisiana, on the 18th OF Feb
ruary, 1866. The report says, in Its las
paragraph, that the persons in posses
sion OF the local authority of Louisiana
having rebelled against the authority o
the United States, and her inhabitants
having been declared to be in a state o.
instruction, in pursuance of a Law
passed by the two Houses Of Congress
your committee deem il improper fol
this body to admit to seats Senators
from Louisiana until, by the Joint ac-
tion of both Houses, there shall be some
recognition Of the existing state govern
ment acting In harmony with the Gov
eminent of the United States and reeog
nized by it. Now, sir, thereis the prin.
ciple laid down in so many words, as
understand 1t, specifically by the Sen.
ator from Maryland, whose authority
we all quote, that inasmuch as this state
of Louisiana had been declared to be in
rebellion, and intercourse with 1t sns
pended by law of Congress, therefore
Congress could not properly admit Sen
atOrs from that state except In pursu'
ance of a law of Congress to provide fol-
her admission. When that resolution
was introduced there was no objection
made to it here or anywhere. How does
it happen that when a similar resolu'
ton is offered, which is applicable Ia
other states in like condition with
Louisiana, there must be SO much SEN
sitiveness in the minds of gentlemen
How can it be that what was applicable
to Louisiana is so inapplicable TO other
states? Let us examine, continued Mr.
Fessenden, and see what has occurred
since that time, because l feel sOmew hal
sensitive on the subject. Charges have
been made with reference to the com
mittee, of which / have the honor 10 be
one, and / feel compelled to vindieate
it. Before proceeding further / will
send to the Secretary's desk to be read
an extract from a speech made by the
President of the United States to his
fellow-citizens yesterday, as follows:
1--WE find that by an irresponsible
central directory nearly all the powers
of Government are assumed without
even consulting the legislative or exc
cutive departments Of the Government
Yes, and by resolution reported by 4
committee upon whom all the IegisIa.
tive powers Of the Government have
been conferred, that great principle III
the Constitution which authorizes and
empowers each branch of the legislative
department, the Senate and House of
Representatives, to be the judges Of the
election and qualifications of its own
members, has been virtually taken away
fE ,e. these hes ydspartments Of the Goxss
who must report before they can act
under the Constitution and allow mem.
bers clearly elected to take their seats. ~
Mr.. Fessenden continued 1t will be
noticed that in the extract which has
been read there were very serious
that there is an effort made
to concentrate all powers in the hands
OF a few, and in connection with that,
that all power is to be lodged, and il
lodged i'm sort of central committed.
Mr.. Howard /: Central directory he
call it. l.a4E
Mr.. Fessenden Yes, central direc.
tory believe it Is, and the words which
Immediately follow furnish the indica-
ton to what committee he msans.
Now, sir, think the President OF the
United States could hardly have con-
sidered with care the nature of the reso-
luton under which we have been act
ing-hardly looked at and contemplated
its meaning. Let rne read that resolu-
tion and state the history oft.
Inasmuch as tns President charges
that all the matter Of deciding upon the
credentials of members and Senators is
taken from the House aud Senate and
referred to this committee, it may be
well to examine the matter a little. This
resolution as it came from the House
informally provided "that joint COM
mittee of fifteen-nine members of the
House and six Of the Senate-shalI be
appointed, who shall inquire into the
condition of the late so-called Confede-
rate States, and report whether they or
any OF them are entitled to representa-
ton in either House of Congress, with
leave to report at any time by bjll or
otherwise, and until such report shall
have been made and finally acted upon.
no member shall be received into either
House from any of the so-called Con-
federate States, and all papers relating
to the subject of representation OF tile
late so-called Confederate States shall he
referred to said committee without de-
bate. When 1t came to be considered
1t was not deeuIed very desirable at that
time to Interfere with those questions
which ought to be settled by either
House, and the resolution was fiuallv
passed, so as to provi lie simply for the
appointments of the committee with
power to report at any time by bill or
otherwise. What is that? SimpIy an.
pointing committee in this unexam.
pied condition of the country. with a
war of four years just closed. in which
eleven states had been engaped-after
all the expenditure Of blood and treasure
inade IN the country-at the first meet
ing or Congress which occurred after
actual hostilities had ceased, the appoint
ment OF a joint committee for tie pur-
pose OF lnquiring into the condition of
these states and reporting whether thew
were entitled to representation. Now
sir, that simple provision for acouirino
Information in order to enable the Hons :
and Senate to judge understandinglv
upon this important question has bee1
represented by gentlemen and nv news.
papers as an assumption by Congress OF
powers which did not belong 10 il. |
nave nothing to say in this connection
with reference to the President: / am
speaking OF the complaints that are
maze OF the resolution to inquire into
the condition of the so-called Confede.