Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-04-23
The Two Reconstruction Policies

6LNs
none find favor unless they embody in
one way or another, the principle of equal
suffrage. The Presidents policy will
never meet the endorsement of the present
Congress. 1t has no supporters whatever
in that body save q handful of copper
heads and q bakers dozen Of bought-up
spostates from the Republican ranks.
Two propositions have been submitted,
the one to the Senate and other immedi-
ately to the Reconstruction Committee,
one of which will probably be adopted by
Congress as the basis of 8 reconstruction
policy. These two plans are familiArly
known as Stewards and Owens. The
former reads as follows:
Resolved, DC, That the following article
be proposed TO the legislatures Of the sew
eral States as an amendment of the Con-
stitutisn Of the United States, which, when
ratified by three-fourths Of said Legisla-
lures, shall be valid to all intents and pur-
poses as q part of said Constitution, viz:
ARTICLE
SEC. L. All discriminstions among the
people because Of race, color or previous
condition of servitude. either in civil rights
or in the right Of suffrage, are prohibited +;
but the States may exempt persons now
voters from restrictions on suffrage heresf-
ter imposed.
gEc. 2. Obligations incurred in aid Of in
surrection, or Of wal against the Union, and
claims for compensation for slaves emanci-
pated, are void, and shall not be assumed
nor paid BY any State of the United States.
Resolved, That whenever any one of the
eleven States whose inhabitants were lately
in insurrectioG, through g Legislature
elected by a constituency restricted in tho
right of suffrage only BY such laws as ak
listed in such State in 1859, shall have rati-
fed the foregoing amendments to the Con-
s~titution Of the United States, and snail
have modified its Constitution snd laws in
conformity Herewith, then, and in that
case, such State shall be recognized as hav-
ing fully and validity resumed its former
relations with this Government, and its
chosen representatives shall be admitted
into the two houses Of the National Legis-
lature, and g general amnesty shall exist in
regard 10 al persons in such State who were
In any way connected with armed opposi-
ton TO the Government Of the United
States, wholly relieving them from all pains,
penalties, or disabilities TO which they may
have become liable by reason Of their con-
neetion with said instruction.
Inc second plan is the n which Mr..
Robert Dale Owen has submitted to the
Reconstruction Committee. Its full text
has not been published, but in substance it
is as follows. It provides fer an amend
ment to the Constitution consisting of four
sections, ris:
SECTION /. All discrimination among the
people of the United States because Of race,
color, or previous condition, in respect to
their civil rights, are hereafter prohibited.
SEC. 2. On and after the 4th of July, 1870,
all male adult citizens of twenty-one years
Of age, irrespective of race or color, shall
be endowed with the right Of suffrage atall
elections, Federal as well as State.
SEC. 3. Representation in Congress, and
electors for President and Vice President
until the 4th of July, 1873, shall be based
on the number Of male adult citizens entit-
led to exercise the right of suffrage by the
laws Of the respective States but after that
period representation shall be based on the
whole population.
SEC. 1. Obligations and liabilities incurred
in aid of instruction or rebellion, and
claims for compensation on account of
emancipation Of slaves, are void, and shall
not be assumed nor paid byany State or the
United States.
"ResotUai By tie Senate ard House Of Rep
rseztutires of the United States Of america
IN Congress assembled, That whenever any
one Of the eleven States whose inhabitants
were lately in Instruction, through its Leg
i~slature, having been first authorized 50 to
do BY a popular vote Of its presents electors,
to vote under the laws thereof as
existed in 1850, shall have ratified the
amendments to the Constitution
Of the United States, and shall lave modi-
fed its Constitution and laws in conformity
herewith, then, in that case, such State
shall be recognized as having fully and val
idly resumed its former relations with this
and its chosen representatives.
shall be admitted into the two Houses of
the National Legislature; Prouifed, That
such Senators and Representatives shall
possess sll the qualifications required by the
snd laws of the United States"
Both these plans provide for reconstrue-
ton on the basis of ultimate equal suf-
They are similar, however, in this
respect only. Mr.. Stewards amendment
provides for equal suffrage; Mr.. Owens
for ultimate universal suffrage Under
Mr.. Stewards proposition the States are at
liberty to make what laws they please to
the franchise, but they must sp-
ply equally to all classes, white and black.
Under this law the aristocrats of the South,
By requiring that none but freeholders
shall exercise the suffrage, might practi-
cally disfranehise not only the negroes but
he poor whites whom they have so much
despIsed and whom they have worked so
10 control. If adopted it ap-
plies to all the states, North and
south III. Stewards proposition
also includes the idea of uni
Versal amnesty to all rebels, from JEFF.
Davis down. There is serious opposition
in Congress to this feature of the
measure. Many members declare that
will never consent to letting any
rebel who held 8 seat in Congress and Sc
ceded in 1881, resume his seat in the Ma
ional Legislature. It is probable that
Stewart viii modify this part Of
bis proposition to meet the views of mem
oers, opposed to rsadmitting Ascending
members, who went out to engage in re-
,eIion. Nj. Owens plan, on the other
,and, allows the states to make what reg /,
ilatiOns in regard to the suffrage they :
nay please, at present bat provides that !
.ter the 4th Of July, lsTs-am most appro- !
,riate date-the one hurdredth birth dsv /,
4 the nation-an male citizens OF the age
4 twenty-one Ghall be voters. Mean. I
however, states admitting the blacks, !
/. NV portion Of them, to the ballot arc
> be rewarded BY proPOrtionate increase I
a their representation in Congress-. Mr. 5
plan does not involve the univer- !
Il amnesty idea BothincludeaD amend :
TENT repudiating the rebel debt and pre- 8
its assumption by the United Y
tates, or By any State, and also forbid c
ing tho payment of claims for loss Of 3 3
aves. This section of the srticle VIII re- 4
live the hearty support and sanction Of v
lie whole body Of capitalists and bond. n