Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-03-14
Congressional Proceedings.

WASHINGTON. March 5. 1866
. SENATs-Mr. Wilson introduced a joint
resolution for the representation in Congress
Of States lately in rebellion. 1t provides that
they shall be entitled to representation upon
their ad option of laws repeating all distiac
tions in civil sights on account of color, and
conferring the right of suffrage upon all col
ored men who have served in the army, who
can read the Constitution, and who pay tax
on real or personal property. Referred TO
the Committee on Reconstruction.
The pending constitutional amendment on
the subject of representation was discussed.
Housa-Mr. Bingham, from the Commit
tee on Reconstruction, reported the following
joint resolution:
"Whereas, the people of Tennessee have
made known 10 Congress their desire that
the constitutional relations heretofore existing
between them and the United States may be
fully established, and did, on the 221 Febru-
ary, 1865, by large popular vote, adopt ard
ratify Constitution of Government, repul-
licau 10 form, and not inconsistent with the
Constitution and laws of the United States,
and State Government has been organized
under the provisions Thereof, which said p.o
NlSlOuS duQ tIC paSSSu III
thereof proclaim and denote loyalty to the
Union; and whereas, the people of Tcnnes-
see are found in condition to exercise the
functions OF State within the Union, AMI
can only exercise the same by the consent OF
the law-maAing power Of The United States;
therefore,
ssrhs State of Tennessee is hereby declared
to bo one of the United States Of America.
on an equal footing, with the other States,
upon IT,, express condition that the people OF
Tennessee will maintain and enforce, in good
faith, their existiog Constitution and laws,
excluding those who have been engaged in
rebellion against the United States from the
exercise of the elective franchise for the re-
spective periods of time therein provided for,
and shall exclude the same persons, for the
like respective periods Of time, from eligibili.
iy to office, and the State of Tennessee shall
never assume or pay any debt Or obligat
contracted or incurred in aid of the late re
bellion, nor shall said State ever in any man
ner claim from the United States, or make
any allowance or compensation for slaves
emancipatcd or liberated, in any way what
ever, which conditions shall be ratified BIZ
the Legislature of Tennessee, or the people
thereof, as the Legislature may direct, before
this act shall take effect"
Notice was given that this resolution will
soon be called up for consideration.
Messrs. Washburne and Boutelle (Repub-
licans, and Mr.. Rogers (Oemocrat,) dissent
ed from the views of tie majority Of the
Committee.
kr,----i-~Avrr-+v ystrvIz- trrfr frrF1j--SSt-i~-rv-
the policy adopted By the Reconstruction
Committee as to all the lste. insurrectionary
States.
Mr.. Rogers submitted minority report
from the Reconstruction Committee, prov-
ding for the admission of Tennessee Repre-
sentatives on taking the oath required by the
Constitution.
The Speaker laid before the House mes
sage from the Governor cf North Carolina
inclosing the resolutions o. that State accep-
ting the apportionment of public lands for ag.
ricutural colleges.
Ar. Stevens objected to the reception of the
paper, saying it was perfectly well known
tlat North Carolina was not recognized as
State.
The House, by vote of 100 against 81,
refused to receive it.
WAsuIyGroN, March s, 1866.
In the Senate to day resolutions were
offered declaring that to Congress and not to
the Executive belongs the power Of re.csab.
fishing civil Government in the lately seeded
States.
In the House, pending the discussion Of
the Constitutional Am ment, Mr. Boutel:e,
from the Select Committee on Reconstruction,
made a report signed by hiRlself and by Mr.
Washburne, of Illinois, stating that East
Tennessee is loyal, but that Middle and West
Tennessee is disloyal, and, proposing as an
additional condition to the admission of the
Stale, that the right of suffrage should be
conferred on ali Persons without distinction
Of race or color.
The Bill declaring all black persons to be
citizens, and conferring on them equal rights
and mmunities together with powerfor their
was debated.