New Orleans daily crescent., 1866-03-02
LATEST FROM WASHINGTON.
Admission Of Southern congressman.
senator Fessenden in Reply to the Presi.
dents Speech

H. ETC.. Etc. Etc.
r.:
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.-Mr. Ramsay, of Mime
sofa, presented the petition of Dr. Evans, of Col
orado, recommending strict quarantine as pre-
ventive of the spread of the cholera in TINS coun-
try, which was referred to the Committee on
Commerce
TAX ON AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.
Mr. Fessenden, of Maine, presented petition
for reduction Of the tax on agricultural impie-
ments, which was referred to the Commlttee Oh
Finance. 's...-a.- -""-- Ita -.'a'
RIGHTS OF NATURAL1zED CITIZENS.
Mr., Cowan presented a petition asking that an
amendment to the Constitution be adopted to pre-
vent any State from making any distinction in the
rights of naturalized citizens, which was referred
to the Judiciary Committee.
REIMBURSEMENT OF KANSAS.
Mr., Pomeroy, of Kansas, introduced bill to
reimburse the State Of Kansas for expenses
incurred in equipping and calling out the militia
to. repel the invasion of that State and Missouri,
which was referred to the Committee on Military
Affairs.
GOVERNMENT TELEGRAPHIC LINES.
Mr. Dixon from the Committee on Postoffices
and Postroads reported resolution calling upon
the Postmaster General to lay before the Senate
all the information in his possession in regard to
the feasibility and usefulness OF establishing tele-
graphic lines in connection with the mail routes,
for the transmission OF government and public
business.
Mr. Brown spoke at some length on the sub ject,
favoring the establishment of government tele-
graph lines on the ground that it would establish a
uniform rate of telegraphing, as now exists in the
postotfce, and that it would break up the present
monopoly which now controls the dissemination OF
news through the public press, and that it would
4 enable better report Of Congressional proceed
ings than now goes abroad to be sent from Wash
! The resolution was adopted.
n THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
4 The morning hour expiring, the amendment tt
the Constitution on the subject OF representation
81 was taken up.
ADMISSION OF SOUTHERN REPRESENTATIVES,.
When the constitutional amendment on represen
taton was called up, Mr.. Nye was entitle to thu
floor but Welded it to Mr.. Fessenden, who moved
I to take up the resolution forbdding admission t.
y Southern members till their States are entitled tt
al representation.
3 Mr. Sherman opposed the motion on the groun'
that it could not be calmly and fairly discussed a
the present time. The proposition was not law
s nor intended to operate as law, but only con
current declaration of political opinion, passed i
the other House in the midst of excitement. Ih
Senate ought not to postpone the business of Con
gress for the purpose of going into the polstlca
trouble between the President and Congress. III
Judiciary Committee, at the last session, reporte
almost unanimously similar resolutions. propc
M stion similar in character has already passed til
Senate, and there is no necessity for lmmedlat
I'D discussion of the subject. Ihe adoption OF IN
g resolution would really amount to nothing, as eac
# House would always be the judge of the election
~ returns and qualifications of its members, an
@ would exercise its right to do so as it sees fit.
81 Mr.. Fessenden said he called up the motion b
cause he considered it of the greatest imp portanc
He denied that there was any desire to get up
quarrel between the President and Congress, an
said he thought that now was the best time to dl
tbo He thOuPlt there could be L
more important business than for the Senate ar
House to settle the question as to whether the
have anything to say in relation to the conditlt
of the Southern States. If Congress is pacir
itself in the way of reconstruction by keeping o
members from the Southern States, it ought
know it before discussing the constitutional amen
ment. He did not think Senators were too nut
excited to discuss the question.
Mr. Sherman, in reply thought the events of ye
terday were too fresh in the memory of Senate
not to have some influence spon them, and thoug
it well to allow that influence to pass. He wou
prefer that the Senate should deliberate calm
unt;aIr the excitement of the past few days has d
appeared. This measure was brought forwa
under peculiar circumstances, and was passed
the other house without debate, under feelings
fuenced by the veto message.
After further debate by Messrs. Howe and Fl
sender, Mr.. Doolitte rose to correct the staten.
that the President seemed to deny to Congress
right to Judge upon the qualifications of memb
and the right of representation from the south'
States. He did not infer any such thing, and y
to order by Mr.. Trumbull, on the ground that
Senator opposed to taking up the resolution CO
not discuss its provisions.
The Chair sustained the point of order.
The question was then taken on proceeding
the consideration of the concurrent resolutl
Carried-yeas 26, nays ID.
Mr., Fessenden took the floor on the resoluti
arguing that it was the intention of Congress
to act upon the credentials of Southern memh
until they had passed law for the admission
the % southern States. This policy was in acce
auce with what Congress intimated heretofc
and to prove this, he cited general instances
referred at some length to the achon IN the c
of Louisiana particularly applicable in supl
of the present resolution. In defense OF the CT
mittee, of which he was a member, he que
from the speech of the President in referenc
the assumption Of power by an irresponsible
trail directory, without consulting the legislativ
executive branches of the government.
thought the President could hardly have consd'
with care the nature of the resolution now Ill
- discussion. The resolution, as it originally
from the House, provided for joint committe
fifteen to inquire into the condition OF the lat
bellious States, to report, by bill or otherV
= whether any or all of them were ent
to representation; and, until such re
were made, members shall be adml
Mr.. Fessenden read from the Presidents sp
a paragraph stating that the States had
right or power to 60 out of the Union; tina
still maintained that theory that, when the s
gave evidence of loyalty and obedience
should be restored to their former relations.
Fessenden argued the right of Congress to in
whether the conditions named by the Pres
had been complied with, and said the special
mittee was organised for that purpose. Ne
this committee nor any other was anything
than the servant of Congress, and could not 3
any authority against the body which made it
the subject of the bill vetoed by the Presidel
said he had never been very warm friend
bill, but yielded his objections because he tn
the powers conferred by it constitutional, and
exercise was necessary. He voted to susta
bill when returned, because he objected t
closing portions of the veto message. eXpr,
the opinion that Congress could not make a |
tax any State that was unrepresented, whic
stating that Congress had no right to pass
affecting the Southern States.
Mr.. Doottle rose to say that he understo
President to discuss the propriety, and ne
right to legisate without Southern members
MIR. Fessenden thought proprety should
made the basis of NetO.s His objection to
the argument used by the President to susi
. He contended for the right of CONGRESS to
on the fitness of the Southern States for
sentation. In conclusion he gave his vie
reconstruction, holding that, by the laws OF
Congress had the right to demand security
future. He was in favor of the admiss
r. Southern members and Senators at the e
moment consistent with the safety of the &C
After an executive session, the Senate ado
House.