New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-02-10

way. Upon The reoomInitment the provision which it
originally contained in relation TO direct taxation was
annulled. and it stands as proposition 10 amend
the Constitution so az 10 AFFECT alone the seconu seco
Of the first article of the Constitution relates TO
the mode in which the number OF representatives 10
be ascertaned. The Senate will remember that repre-
sentation was based upon numbers, with TWO execP'
tons. The first exception was Indians not taxed
the other was that that portion Of the people IN the
Southern States which was held in Slavery was not 10
be taken into account s entire extent but only TO
the extent Of three Ghs of the whole that the Con-
sttution stands and Slavery longer exists, the
Southern States would lie entitled TO representation for
the whole number Of people there The effect OF the
proposed amendment, with the exception of the pro-
viso is 10 make no change in the correspond
ing requirement Of the Constitution. except
only Of certain class shall be counted
The reason for that omission is Of apparent
There persons now In existence in any State OF
the Union who not TO be considered but as
property. The provision in relation TO the estimation
OF three.ffths instead of the whole number made
because there did not at that time exist in the States
class of persons who held the double capacity Of men
and property. or, to speak more correctly who we're
persons and shatels; There was great aheaty 10
az lar as that cless OF persons was concerned repre-
sentaon was 10 be ascertaned, and equal difficulty in
ascertaining, as far they were concerned, how
the provision as 10 taxation was TO be made. In
those days there were no such objections as
seem now TO be iDsuperable TO the minds of some
Senators on the subject Of compromising They came
TO the conclusion that the good OF the country demanded
that there should be compromise and they proposed
ns a compromise the provision which stands; and
that Tor the purpose Of representation persons held IN
slavery or involuntary servitude shall be esteemed
three iltbs and two tlths property; and they
iabshel the same rule in relation TO taxation They
very wisely concluded that 1t was all important that
some general rule should BE- adopted that this was the
best rule because promising more than any other rule
to arrive at just result Of aseerainng the number
Of representatives aud the quota OF taxation Now, az
far as relates 10 the quota OF taxation, as far
as relates 10 the quota OF representatives. the
state Of things is clearly changed. There are
cf-
hfths and two-fths property. We all stand upon
the platform. As We came from natures God We
stand together IN unity, as far az relates TO human
rights; and II was entirely unnecessary therefore 10
change the node vi hpportioDins representation and
taN0t.D except for some other cause, which did not
enter into The estimation Of tho wise and great ones ny
whom the Government was made and the Constitution
adopted, in recommending this particular provision.
This amendment says 10 the States, you TO be en-
titled 20 representatives IN proportion To your numbers
which Is all right. Our fathers designed that when
they made the Government and under the country has
gone prosperousy But says the amendment further
in the exercise Of your night you thnk proper TO exclude
from the privilege Of suffrage any portion of that popu
at0n Oh account OF race or color that portion is 10 De
deducted from the amount Of members which Is TO reg
ulatc the number Of your representatives. ard your
rover IN the Government u corrcspondnCiy decreased
and IL does more than that IL only says that If
there be BY State Legislation distinction account
Of color In the exercise Of the elective franchise not
only shall the number of such persons who may be so
excluded from Franchise be deducted from the number
Of persons which IL TO ascertain the number Of yonr
representatives but every man, whether entitled 10
By the laws Of the State, OF whom may be
said he belongs 20 the race and every man who comes
under the denomination Of color within the limits Of the
State is 10 be deducted from the enuIneratyes H. there
fore is done ia the state OF Ney.io and IN sew
eral States of the Union, distinction ~ made be-
the right TO vote upon the part OF the coioed
man. and the right to vote upon the part Of the white
tion NOT required for the other the whole OF that pop
uaiiOn the State of York is 20 be iucted from
/ the enumeTaiyes. Under the Constitution aud laws OF
New. York person OF color vote IN that State
who has freehold and the required residence The
possession OF freehold is not rcqsircd OF white voters
uf New oTk and there l. Therefore IN The state al
New.York nj this time a distinction between tie white
and coloTed race in the exercise Of the elective fran
chise and this resolution says that If there be such
distinction then not only the number of persons of
that who bc entitled to vote because they
freebolders 10 be deducted bur the entire numDer Of
the race and New.fork loses by II portion OF her 4
representatives,
Mr. COMES California; asked question. Suppose
one Of :hese states North Carons Tor instance II this
amendment should DO adopted should enact that a
property qualification should be required for the exer
else of the Franchise not applicable to coored people
alone but 20 all alike. and such an amount was estab
shed rs would lead the exclusion OF large number
the coored population from the poles would not that
State be entitled Notwithstanding that exclusion, to
representation for the entire population. black and
white inasmuch as the exclusion was not because oil \
color but because Of proper qualification apply
ing universally
Mr. JonNsox-Of course I have said nothing TO the .
contrary None to BE- excluded from the numbers
except entire class against whom some qualibca
lion is required for the exercise oil the elective ran
chisc that Is not required Of the white race III the
same qualification is required for both there is no ais
inctiOn The honorable Senator's question ~ answered
think by the terms Of the resolution what / said
was, that the elective franchise Is regulated in
New. York. unless II is changed either by aboDshing
the freehold qualification. by requiring like quail.
cation from white voters, the whole NUMBER OF cooTed
people will be deducted
Mr. COMES desired Mr.. johnson TO discuss the
effect of the statute he had named under this amend
men
Mr. JoHSsoS-I admit that in the case supposed by |
] he honor Ne
They would all be embraced. III state admit colored
men TO vote and require qualification which u does
not exact from white men, then the entire eoored popn
lsiion is to be deducted from the estimate. But Mr.
President there is another question which the Senate
will have 10 meet II this amendment Is adopted now
many States now admit colored men to the exercise OF
the elective franchiset Only six. And how many ex.
elgdo them positively from the right OF suiirage' |
Thirty Surprising all the States to be- in the Union
which are supposed 20 be out Suppose they are 10 he
Z esteemed as out of the Union how many of these
that claimed Ia be IN, whose representatives are
upon this floor give the coored man the right OF SUI
fragef Only six And unless the States change their
policy-and an BY no means persuaded that they wil
the contrary far have an opinion on the SUD
jet, believe they will not and that opinion
is formed upon the occurrences OF tue tilhe-n inns
Amendment passes there IL hardly one OF these
States that would not lose representative ProIueo
they had this coored population among them. ne re.
ferred to the effect which the amendment would nave
upon the several States Senators representing states
that would not be effected by 1t might vote FOR II.
Massachusetts, according 70 the census ., as
OF only e602. New.YorK has q white population Oh
1881 49, and colored population OF 1900 vermont
ton Of ZOO New. Hampshire has s5579 whites and
i9i blacks. The game. SO to speak Is sale
one for them They viii not be affected by II IN
Mr. ionysoS then criticised the premises of Mr.;
Summers speech relating 10 the rght oil ,he oeh.ial
Government TO intcrpose IN reguatlng the eIeoano
sres show ing that prerogates OF the Constitution
were positive specific and in the above regard gave no