The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-05-10
LATEST BY TELEGRAPH
xxx CoNGREss---FIRsT SESSION.
WASHINGTON, May 9.

Hol 81.
WASHINGTON, May 9.
Mr. Wilson, OF Iowa, from the Commit
tee on Judiciary, reported bill to repeal the
23d Section of an act of 37th Congress rela-
ting to passports which repealed the then ex-
sting law relating to persons liable to do mill
tarv duty. The bill was considered and pas
sed.
The House then proceeded to consider
the special order, being the constitutional
amendment reported from the Reconstruction
Committee.
Mr. shanklin took the floor in opposition
to the measure. He said the first proposition
contained in the measure struck at the reserv-
ed rights of the States these rights the
founders of the Constitution believed essen.
tial to the existence of the Government. 1t
proposed to strike down the rights, and con
centrate all the power in the general Govern
mcnt. The second proposition is the disfran
chisement of the people of the States which
were in rebellion until the chains of opposi-
ton could be rivited on them through all
time to come. If these people sumbitted to
the terms sought to be imposed upon them,
they ought not to come back into the Union,
nor hold place or position rs free Americans.
Mr.. Morehead admitted that they had erred,
but they believed they were rioht, and had
acted on that belief.
Mr.. Raymond was the next speaker. He
expressed his qualification at the Reconstruc-
ton Committee having submitted their scheme
as whole and illustrated the danger of sub.
uniting only one portion; in time, by reference
to the recent course of the British ministry on
the reform bill, the ministry have commenced
the session with clear majority of so, which
majority had dwindled down to FIVE, because
Z ho ntefr yal I
only one portion of the reform scheme. He
expressed his belief that all the States to be
effected by the proposed measure should be
represented, but he did not hold it to be es.
sential to the validity of the Congressional
action Of the Constitutional amendment tina,
they should be thus represented.
The debate was further continued by Messrs
Walker, Mckee and Eldridge. In the course
Of the colloquy between Messrs. Wilson, o.
Iowa, and Raymond, the speaker stated thai
he understood it was intended to bring the
measure to a vote tomorrow, and that there
were thirty gentlemen still desiring to speak
In the course of Mr.. Raymonds' remark:
he expressed his approval of the measure
except the third section. He also alluded t
the eagerness with which Mr.. Stevens acced
ed to the suggestion Of the name of Genera
Grant as candidate for the Union party i
1868, Tor President, as giving assurance tina
there would be no dissent in the party Or
that subject when the right time shoule
come.
Mr.. Eldridge spoke against the Joint reso
luton and denounced the Reconstructio,
Committee as having entirely d;sanno,nto.
the country.
Mr.. Mckee supported the measure. n,
proposed to amend Mr.. Gar6elds' measure !,
| recOmmitted with instructions, by str;k;n,
out the third section and inserting the follow.
ing:
All persons who voluntarily adhered e
the late instruction, giving aid and comfor
to the so-called Confederate States, are for
ever excluded from holding any Office Q
profit or trust in the United States.
Mr.. Boutwell, denounced the Democrat,
lpssV' uadss whoss position every traitor !,