Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-11
MIDNIGHT DISPATCHES,
CONGRESSIONAL

WASHINGTON. May D.-SEYArE.-The House
bill to authorize the Vice Admiral of the Navy
to appoint Secretary with the rank and nav of
Lieutenant, was passed
A resolution calling upon the Secretary of War
for information as to the intention of the Govern
eminent in regard to the government works at
Harper's Ferry, adopted.
A bill to authorize a coinage of FIVE cent pie.cs
was passed.
A bill to impose twenty per cent ad raloyHgt
duty on cattle imported into this country. passed
with amendment. exempting for ten DAYS, cattle
already owned by our citizens, and Eow in British
provinces.
Resolution to prevent she introduction of ehol-
era was then taken up and discussed when the
morning hour expired pending the discussion
HOUsE-Immediately after the reading of the
Journal. the House resumed the consideration of
| the constitutional amendment, reported by the
reconstruction committee. Mr.. Randall, Of Pa,
addressed the House in opposition to the measure.
He wished the colored race in the Southern States
were allowed to occupy same position, as they did
in his own State, but he was not willing that the
general Government should interfere with the
matter in Pennsylvania, neither was he willing
it should interfere with it in the South. The in
justice TO enemies of the Sd section had been
so thoroughly exposed by the gentleman on the
Republican side, he deemed it unnecessary to say
anything about it, further than to express his
views. That the intention was to prevent the pos
sibility of any. Southern State voting for the
amendment. The whole scheme was one of pro-
crastinatiOn and delay looking TO the exclusion
of the Southern States till after the next PreSden
tial election. The Presidents plan on the con-
trary was plain and simple, just and efectual and
as he believed, acceptable to a vast majority of
the people, North and South. The issue between
the President and Congress was made up, and the
appeal must be made to the people. He believed
that nothing could avert the speedy possession Of
the legislative branch of the Government by the
cOnversative men of the country, under the lead
Of Andrew johnson.
NJ. Strause, of Pa, followed on the same side
He declared the Constitution was never intended
to be plaStered, and Congress should be exceed
ingly cautious about tampering with it.
Mr.. Banks was the next speaker. He regarded
this as the most important question which could
be presented to Congress or the country. He be-
ieyed the organization of the Government in the
insurgent States could only be safely made by eff
tecting a change in the basis of political society in
the Southern States. Without this, it left the
enemies of the country in condition to renew the
war. Therefore, proposition met his entire ap-
proval which did not effect radical change in the
basis of political society in those States But he
did not expect the House to adopt his opinions
nor would he insist upon them. He had no doubt
but that the Government of the United States had
full authority to extend the elective franchise to
the cOlored people of the South, but he did not
think 1t had the power. The public opinion ofths |
country was such, at this moment, as to |
make 1t impossible. He thought it was wise |
on the part of the Committee on Reconstruction |
would waive that matter in reference to public
opinion. Whilst he deemed the provision in re- |
gard to representation equitable, he did not thlnk
it important. In his judgment, it was of no con- |
sequence whether the late rebel States had fifty |
or flfty-eight Representatives in the House; the
Southern people governed by force; their philOsO
ply force; their practice was forces their ira
ditiOn was force; whether few or many they would
have power, whenever they were restored. While, |
therefore, he agreed cheerfully to the proposition
both in purpose and phraseOlOgy. it did not seem
to meet the question at issue. The proposition |
to dsfranchise the enemies of the country; he |
thought it right in principle and necessary at this
time; he did not care much whether the extension |
Of franchise to the negro added to it, although |
was in favor oft He had no difficulty in regard |
to supposed unfairness in DISTINGUISHING disloyal |
men who had come within the terms of the amnes-
ty proclamation. for he held that in all procla-
nations and military conferences, the idea of re
storing political rights was carefully guarded |
against. He did not argee with the gentleman |
from Ohio, Garfield to the practicability of |
Acknowledgement nor did he apprehend any re
lection Of the proposed amendment.