The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-31
Che Nurfolk Cost.
Wednesday, JANUARY 81, 1885.
THE PRESIDENTS VIEWS IN
3 REGARD TO THE PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS TO THE CON-
STITUTION. 50is VI ni

| "A M LIN DMEIN I'D ~ A1iG WV
| STITUTION. s0is VI iaj
| WASHINGTON January 2s, 1850.
The following is the substance of a
conversation which took place to-day
between the President and distin-
guished Senator iaAHslft FfGtaj
The President said that he doubted
the propriety, at this time, of making
any further amendments to the COnsti-
tuition. One, great amendment had
already been, made, by which slavery
had forever been abolished within the
limits Of the United States, and ma
tional guarantee thus given that that
institution should never again exist on
the land. Propositions to amend the
Constitution were incoming as numer-
Gus as preambles and resolutions at town
meetings called to consider the most
ordinary questions connected with the
administration of local affairs. All this,
in his opinion, had q tendency to di-
minish the dignity and prestige at
tached to the Constitution OF the coun-
| Try, and to lessen the respect and conf
dence Of the people in their great charter
| of freedom. If, however, amendments
are to be made to the Constitution
| changing the basis of representation and
| taxation land he did not deem them at
all necessary at the present time), he
knew of none better than u simple
proposition, embraced in a few lines,
making, in each state, the number of
qualified voters the basis of representa-
tom and the value of property the basis
of direct taxation. Such proposition
could be embraced i'm the following
terms ~
Representation shall be apportioned
among the several states which may be
| included within this Union according
to the number of qualified voters in
each state.
among the several states which may be
included within this Union according to
the value of all taxable property in each
state.o
An amendment of this kind would, in
his opinion, place the basis of represent
| tation and direct taxation upon correct
principles. The qualified voters were,
for the most part, men WHO were subject
to draft and enlistment when it was me-
cessary to repel invasion, suppress re-
bellion and quell domestic violence and
linsurrection. They risk their lives,
, shed their blood and peril their all, to
uphold the Government and give pro-
lection, security and value to property.
IL seemed but Just that property should
compensate for the benefits thus confer
red by defraying the expenses incident
to its protection and enjoyment. Such
an amendment, the President also sug-
gested, would remove from Congress all
issues in reference to the political equal
-se.A<.a--s1
qualification Of their own voters with
regard to color, and thus the number Of
representatives to which they would
be 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 question in the
District of Columbia at this time was
the mere entering wedge to the agitation
of the question throughout the states
and was ill.timed, uncalled for, and
calculated to do great harm. He believed
that it would eDgender enmity, c0nten-
! ton and strife between the two races
and lead to a war between them, which
would result i'm great injury to both, and
the certain extinction of the negro pop
ulatioo. Precedence, he thought, should
be given to more important and urgent
matters. legislation upon which was
. essential forthe restoration of the Union
the peace of the country and the pros
perity of the people.
TRIAL, OF GEN. BAKER. The tria
| of Gen. Baker before the criminal cour
| has developed some interesting facts II
: relation to the detective system and par
don brokerage. 1t appears from tn
: testimony of Lieut.. Hine that last Jul,
: he was detailed by the Assistant Secre
Y tary of War and placed at the dispose
; of Gen. Baker, and directed 10 act unde
his orders. He was introduced to Mrs
y Cobb, the plaintiff, as Captain Howell
and as an Confederate Captain, VIII
was seeking for pardon. She told hir
she had great facilities for obtainin
lpardons. but would not inform hit
what influence she had used. Capital
Hall drew up statement or petition
: | SIGNED as Clarence j. Howell and affix
Il 4 cd n SPURIOUS magistrates certificate
I He presented this to Mrs. Cobb, VIII
a, said anything could be done wit
II | money. 2 A contract was entered int
m and the pardon was procured. IN
!" money paid to her had been marke'
il aud this was afterward found on he
We person and taken away from her. z
was a part of the money used to entra
this pardon broker.
THE witness acknowledged that
!, made false statements to her. Durin
Of tn e proceedings, Judge Hughes, as coul
sci for Mrs. Cobb, said 1t was cOnsp
rocIr; and in order to break up legit
"a mate business, these self-constitutt
ed Guardians of the honor of the Cover
nent induced this lady to do the vel
la thing they protested to be anxious
ii. break IN. Eveu thief cannot be eol
victed ii money is placed in his way !
''' conspirators to entrap him; and the col
n spirators are justly execrated. And no
h Baker and his conspirators, and ms
Gu who drew a false and fraudulent pape
cir and acknowledges that it was such, al
= who forged magistrates certificat
need not put on a look of dignity al
talk TO me. The days of bullying a
passed, and the courts Ofjustice are VII
on open, and the oppressors and midnig
robbers must come under the law, al
RITZ their deeds must be known and spok'
and of
These remarks were followed by a
plause, which was suppressed by
court, and the Marshal was directed
2 clear the room if it was repeated.
BEBUILDING OF CHARLESTON, s. G.
A letter from Charleston says nearly
thousand laborers have been engaged
clear the district which was burned
1.-The great fire of 1861, and to erect n