New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-07-30

debt either by the United States or by the States which
contracted it, In this shape passed the House. May
vote Of 1913 TO 81 The Senate continued TO debate il for
several weeks Mr. Stewart powerfully urging for time his
policy of universal amnesty and universal suffrage, but
there being no chance for the adoption of this an the
resolution amended form, passed, June g. by 80
Yeas to IL Nays. On the 18th, it was adopted in the
House. by 100 TO 49, The First Section was amended to
define citizenship cleery, and the Third received
important change. The clause Merchandising all Rebels
till 1870 was stricken out, and 1t declared instead
that any National State officer who had given tho Rebel
lion aid should not become Senator Representative
Eecor for President Vice President hold civil
military Office under the United States Congress was
given power to this disability by two-thrds vote
The President requested to send the amendment to
the several States for ratification Mr. Johnson June 81
sent Congress message stating that copies had been
transmitted to the States BY MIR. Seward
purely us ministerial dsty. The President
disapproved the amendment in positive language, chiefly
upon the old ground-if quicksands so lie termed
that the Rebel States were not represented in Congress
when the amendment was passed. Thus, this great
measure, after Congressional consideration Of five months
matured, and is before the people. Few OF the
States have thus far ratified it, owing to the non-scsson
of the Legislature but Connecticut, Nev-HampAre, and
Tennessee are already upon the record.
In this plan Of reconstruction Congress met the deter
mined opposition OF the President misfortune which
neutralized much of its effect. Mr. johnson made
secret of his hostility the Union party very early in the
session. and in his celebrated speech Of February 2d in
which he addressed large crowd in the street. he de-
nounccd Charles Sumner Thaddcus Stevens and the
Union majority generally in Congress, MS rsitors-equaly
criminal as the Southern Rebels. On this occasion he
also introduced political term, by calling John W.
Foney Secretary Of the Senate, Dead Duck Not con-
tent with this the President after condemnng the whole
policy of Congress dsunon accused its Radical leaders
Of an attempt procure his assassination II must be
remembered, however, that he had previously made
similar charge against jeff Davis and if that precedent is
of value, Congress may hope that Mr. johnson
VIII finally become its best friend. Under
this Presidential opposition, the policy OF Congress at last
trumphcd in the case Of Tennessee The attempt to force
its members into Congress having failed after the passage
of the joint resolution, proposing an amendment 10 the
Constitution the Union men Of Tennessee resolved 10
adopt it, aud though the Presidents influence in his own
State was thrown against the amendment 1t was passed
by the Legislature. July TO- by vote Of ~ to H. The
question of the admission Of her representatives came up
at once in Congress- and bill for the restoration OF the
State to her former place in the Union finally passed.
July 49, The next day the President returned the bill Win
his signature but protested against the radical terms IN
from the Reconstruction Committee providing that any
State ratfing the Constitutional Amendment might
send to defeated in the House
by IS to 49, Congress thus refusing to pledge in I'D
vance and make the Amendment the sole test OF read
mission of Rebel States The restoration Of Tennessee
is decisive proof that the Congressional plan OF Recon-
sirction If sustained by the President, would speedily
lead the admission Of every southern State To suit
the case Of M Patterson Of the Senators from Ten
nessee the son-in law of the President, who had
held an Office under the Rebel Goyenmen', the
Senate voted TO modify the test oath, but the
House by large vote refused to concur MIR.
Patterson finally obtained his seat with little difficulty
With these measures many minor bills intended TO enforce
their principles were connected. OF this kind was hr
Jnans bill offered Feb s. 10 dispose Of the public lands
in the South in such way as TO give the freedman
chance to become freeholder. Arr. %, the
House judiciary Committee reported against the
Presidents recommendation 10 modify the test
oath Congress. however, earnestly DESTROYS Of
,5uins to better understanding with Mr. johnson, did
no, in any way attempt 70 force unnecessary troubles and
the Senate. May II, rejected moderate bill Of Mr.. Trun-
balls restraining the appointing power of the President
The history Of the Tariff bill in this session IS ono oil
neglect aud disappointment As early as January pei'-
tons in favor Of a Protective Tariff were poured into
and July 10, passed by vote Of % to So Though not
perfect it WAS a decided improvement upon the tariff in
existence. We would gladly have accepted with all Its
faults but had little hope Of ito passage in the Senate
July Il that body postponed the bill till December. and
next day the friends Of protection introduced revsedbi
into the House. Gradually the excellent measures which
the Co6httee hal originally reported were FILTERED
away The Senate accepted the revised bill July 81 with
amendments il which the House refused to concur.
Committee Of Conference appointed and on the last
day Of the session this cDfeebled and inefficient
measure was finally adopted by both Houses. We
have no desrc present. to crcse further the action
of Congress- especially Of the Senate in this unpardon-
able failure to do something decisive for the encourage.
mcnt of American manufactures and the general financial
Interests. Ia policy which began by raising the tax
upon Coal and increasing ii upon Ion' WIGS imPo''ioo
20 placs mueh confidence separate bill TO increase the
duty upon imported Wool passed the House, just before
adjournment but the Senate wasted time in laying on
the table, Congress has made little change In the tariff
it found IMPOSED and we suppose should be grateful
fof even this small measure Of wisdom.
Other financial legislation Of importance was too much
ncgected The Loan bill vas considered in the House,
and in its original shape defeated March It, On tho I'D
il passed by SO 10 So and April adopted in The Ben
ate by a large majority. The Committee OF Ways and
Me us February J. reported bill to Fund the National
Debt which subsequently cut down aud changed so
that it was necessary to change the very title The Bank
upt ill, very important measure, which, u passed.
would have been of Unreasonable benefit TO the country
was approved by the House early as May but the Sen
ate Directing TO the entire principle OF the BILL postponed
il till December. A gratifying feature oil
the financial action of Congress was the pas
sage of the internal Revenue bill in june
by which at least $o 900 Of taxes per annum we're
repealed stronger evidence of the wealth and re-
sources Of the country could not be given than that this