The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-03-13
CONGRESS-.

Harch Oh the Cenate, W. hHsou OF
Massachusetts, introduced joint resolution
providing for the representation IN Congress of
States lately in rebellion. 1t provides that they
shall be entitled to representation upon their
adoption of laws repeating all distinction in civ
il rights on account of color, and conterriEg the
right of suffrage upon all colored men who have
served in the army, and who can read the con-
stitution, and who pays taxes on real or person
al property. Referred to the Committee on
Reconstruction.
In the House, Mr. Bingham from the Com
mittee on Reconstruction, reported joint reso-
luton as follows:
"That. Whereas the people of tennessee had
made known to Congress their desire that the
Constitutional relations heretofore existing be-
tween them and the United States may be full
" established and did on the 22d day of Feb
rurrv, 1865 by large popular vote, adopt and
ratify constitution of the Government, repub-
lcan in form, aud not inconsistent with the
Constitution and laws Of the United States, and
State government has been organized under
the provisions thereof, which said provisions
and the laws passed in pursuance therof, pro-
claim and denote loyalty to Che Union ard
whereas the people of Tennessee are found in
condition to exercise the functions of State
within this Union, and only exercise the
same by the consent of the law making power
OF the United States of America, on an equal
footing with the other States, upon the express
condition that the people of Tennessee will
maintain and enforce, in good faith, their exist
ing constitution and laws, excluding those who
have been engaged in rebellion against the Uni
ted States from the exercise of the elective fran
chise for the respective periods Of time therein
provided for and shall exclude the same per-
sons for the like respective period OF time from
eligibility to Office; and the State of Tennessee
shall never assume or pay any debt or oDIlga-
ton contracted in aid of the late rebellion nor
shall said State in any manner claim from the
United States, or make any allowance or COM
pensation for slaves emancipated or liberated In
any way whatever, which condition shall be rat
fed by the Legislature of Tennessee, or the
people thereof the Legislature may direct
before this act shall take effect
Notice given that the resolution will soon
be called up for consideration.
Messrs. Washburne and Boutwell,, Republi-
cans, and Nj Rogers, Democrat, dissented from
the views of the majority.
Mr Rogers submitted a minority report from
the Commtte on Reconstruction, providing for
the admission of the Tennessee Representatives
on their taking the oath required by the Con-
stitution.
The Speaker laid before the House message
from the Governor Of North Carolina endorsing
the resolutions Of that State accepting the ap-
portionmet Of the public lands for an agriculu-
raj college. Mr. Stevens objected to the recep-
ton of the paper, saying that it was perfectly
we'll known that North Carolina was not recog
nized as State The House, by vote of thir-
ty for, and one hundred against, refused to re-
ceiVe it.
March 6-The constitutional am dment was
discussed in the Senate. The attention of the
House was occupied mainly with the report of
the Reconstruction Committee. We give a
sketch of this report ia another column
March Tn the Senate, resolution was
adopted instructing the Committee on Foreign
Affairs to report bill for the appointment Of u
commission Of two medical officers-one from
the army and one from civil life-to examine
the subject OF Cholera preventves, and to at
tend the Cholera Congress in Europe.
Mr. Sumner made lengthy speech on the
pending constitutional amendment.
The House was engaged in the discussion of
bill for the reciprocity of trade with the Brit
ish Provinces. No decision was arrived at.
| Both Houses have passed bill, which will
be presented to the President for signature, Civ
| ing the assent Of Congress to the transfer Ut
Jefferson and berkeley counties in Virginia to
West Virginia. The Committee on Recon
structlon presented large mass of testimony
| Tor the purpose of showing the bitterness and
hostility to the Government of a majority oethe
people of Louisiana, Texas and Florida.
March Sin the Senate, Mr. Poland present
ed joint resolution to amend the Constitution
by dlsqualifying from voting, holding office,
all who have taken part in the rebellion. Re-
ferrcd to the Committee on Reconstruction
| Mr. Henderson offered series Of resolutions
| declaring that to Congress and not to the Ex-
ecutlve belongs the power of re-establishing ci-
vii government in the lately seeded States, etc.
| The joint resolution to amend the Constitu-
ton on the subject Of representation was debat-
ed.
/ In the House, Mr. Boutwell,, from the select
Committee on Reconstruction, made report,
t signed by himself and Mr. Washburne, Of Hi.
nols, setting forth that East Tennessee is loyal,
but that Middle and West Tennessee are disloy-
al. The number of white adults of the voting
age is l20, 900, and of the blacks of the voting
age S0,000-in all 100000. In order to in
sure and maintain a State Government, these
two gentlemen propose, as an additional cond-
! ton for the admission of Tennessee, that the
right of suffrage be conferred without regard to
race or color.
A Washington correspondent of the Phila-
delphia Inquirer says: "In conversation with
leading member Of the Pennsylvania Congress
sional delegation, Secretary Seward brought up
the question Of reconstruction, and was very
severe upon Congress for their refusal to admit
the Southern delegations. The member
thought that after four years of a rebellion that
had taken millions of armed men to suppress.
and entailed upon Us debt Of three thousand