The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1866-02-07
From Washington.
WAsIITNGroN, January %.

NAsIINGroN, January %.
The House resumed the consideration
OF the Constitutional amendme ent fixing
the basis ef representation.
Mr.. Stevens wished TO bring the House
to an immediate vote, but was defeated
BY bis friends, who, not understanding
The exact effect Of the proposition, desir,
ed further time tor examination and de
bate.
A discussion Of several hours duration
ensued, which various amendments we're
suggested, in order TO prevent the South
ern States from cutting off the negroes
from voting, by requiring Of them prop
erty, educational. or other Qualifications.
The Senate was engaged in the dis.
cussion OF the bill to eflarge the pow.
ers of the Freedman. Bureau. No vote
taken.
WAsHINGToN, January "a.
The proceedings in the House to day
we're devoid ofin'erest, except the debate
on the report Of the Joint Committee Of
reconstruction. Stevens did not attempt
70 drive the previous question. lie finds
his power was not so great as he had
calculated. The Republican, team will
not work well in the traces. Th Q whole
thing boiled down amounts 20 this.
Most Of those who at first expected, and
whom Stevens relied upou, to vote for
the resolution, now upon reflection opposs
It,. Every member has an amendment
to offer, oni,ing his political idosynocra.
cy. About twenty am en- imsnt. bavs
been otfered-more coming. Now the
PLAIN facts are, the House will reject the
resolution, or order its recommi,,al. Bu,
:oTelh'ng even more offensive 10 the
South may be looked for when he Com,
mittee again reports.
SKNArE.-Mr. Wilson offered a ;oin,
resolution for an amendment TO the Con.
stitu,ion prohibiting payment for slaves.
or for any debt contracted in behalf Of
the rebellion. Referred to the Judicia ~
COMMITTEES.
The discussion Of the bin for the on,
largement Of the powers Of the freed,
mems Bureau, was resumed and con
tinued till adjournment.
HousE. The House resumed ,h con.
s'dersion Of the Constitutional amend.
mens as fixing the basis Of representa-,
ton.
A new amendment was offered to ap
point representatives according to the
number Of the voting population.
No decision was arrived at.
WAs4INGrosi January %.
SENArE.-Ths Senate after further di.
ca's'oH, passed the bill enargiug tn.
power Of the Frsedmens Bureau.
Hbtss.-The House adopted re.o u.
ton instruc,ing the Committee of tia
District OF Columbia to report bill OK.
cuding from the righ, of suff rage in the
District all who have voluntarily borne
arms against The Enited States in the
naval, military or cavil service Of the late
Conlsderacy.
lhe ilouss resumed the consideration
OF the Constitutional amend nent recula.
ting the basis of representation. During
the debate, Mr.. Bingham, Of Ohio, who
IS a member Of the Rsconstruc,ion Com.
mittee, said the Cornmiitss had under
consideration another amendment 10 the
Constitution protecting the rights Of all
persons, black or white, which rights had
not heretofore been enforced owing 10 the
want OF power in Congress.
Mr.. EIdridgs, Of Wisconsin, (Dsmoc raD
in opposing the measure. asserted ,ha,
the rebellion having been suppressed, the
Southern States were rsstnrad to their
rights under the Constitution. Justice;
harmony and union ough, to be main.
'hheu' ana nothing done ih 4 spirit OF
furious fauaticism.
Mr.. Strouse, Of Fenhsylvania, Demo,
cra', and Mr.. Nieholaon, OF Delaware,
(Democrat, favored the admission Of
Southern Representatives to participate 10
the debate on the measures which 60
Iuuch affect their Interests.