Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1866-02-08
CONGRESS-.

CONGRESS.
PASSAGE OF THE "coNKLrNa AMEND.
MENT" IN THE HOUSE.
In the House, on Wednesday, Mr.
Stevens, from the Joint Committee on
Reconstruction, reported what is des-
ignsted "the Conkling Amendment
which had been recommitted to It the
day before, merely striking out the
words "and direct taxes" so that it
read as follows:
ARTICLE -. Representatives shall
be apportioned among tho several States
which may be included within this Union
according to their respective numbers, count.
ing the whole number of persons in each
State, excluding Indians not taxed provi.
ded. that ,oheneper The electtce franchise shall
be denied or abridged in any State, on account
Of race or color, all persons of such race or
color shall be excluded from the basis of rep.
rssentdtion."
Before voting on the main Amend
ment, the House, by 1870 to 80, reject
cd Gen. Schenck's substitute, which
proposed
That the apportionmcni shall be accord
ing to the number OF male citizens over
twenty one years of aqe, having the qualifi.
cations requisite for electors of the most nu.
'merous branches of the 6tate Legislature.
And now the vote was taken OH the
'Conkling proposition as amended, with
the following result: Yeas, l20.
Nays, 46.
The Nays included all the Demo.
Gratis voting, with Messrs. Raymond,
Baldwin, Elliot, Smith, Hale, Jenclses,
NOEL, Phelps, Rousseau. whaley, Ran.
dali. and Latham chosen as Unionists
The Speaker announced that two.
thirds -of tho House having voted in
the Affirmative, the House asscnts to
the Amendment.
--Weuoed hardly repeat that we
most heartily approve and commend
this action. Tho Amendment is right
In itself, and it is one that will com.
mend itself to every fair mind 1t says
to each State "Judge for yourselfas to
the Right Of Suffrage within your own
mits but do not ask other States to
count as a portion of the body polite
those Of your Inhabitants to whom you
deny that character. We have strong
hopes Of its success.
The House took up the Senate bill,
to. enlarge the powers of the Freed.
mems Bureau, but adjourned without
taking any action on it.
In The Senate, petition was present
ed asking for suffrage for the ladies,
also several petitions for negro suffrage.
A resolution thanking Admiral Fara-
gut, his officers and men, passed unan-
imously. The bill for the protection,
OF all persons in their civil rights was
taken up and discussed. During the
discussion Senator Trumbuil, Of Ills,
said the blacks were citizens in some
States before the adoption Of the Con-
stitution, and that the Supreme Court
or North Carolina had so decided,
which fact Mr.. Garret Davis met by the
pertinent and gentlemanly remark that
"he had seen great deal less conceit
and great deal more brains than were
combined in the Senator from Illinois.
For this outrageous and indecent per-
sonaiity. Mr.. Garret Davis had Just
80 much provocation as is above recited,
aud no more.
Friday, Feb. SIN the Senate. the
bill authorizing the sale of postage
stamps and stamped envelopes ON
credit was passed. Mr.. Trumbulls
bill to protect civil rights was taken up
and passed-yeas SO, nays IL. This is
very important measure.
In the House, a resolution was
adopted directing an inquiry as to ex.
tending Government aid to the Iowa
branch Of the Pacific Rail Road. Gems.
Thomas and Meade were received
during the day. The Speaker deliver.
ed an address of welcome, and the
Generals responded. The Freedmen's 8
Burean bill was taken up, but without
any action on 1t the House adjourned
Saturday, Fss 3.--Nothing of
especial interest transpirsd in Con.
gress on Saturday. The Senate was
In session. The day was prin.
cipally occupied by the House In dis.
cussing the Freedman's Bureau bill.
Jadge Kelley Of Pa, Gen. Rousseau
OF Ky, and othsrs, made speeches.
Tuesday, FED. 6.--In the Senate,
-Efr ghsy,oan M Ohio u.....4I