Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-06-14
Congress.
WAsHTEeT0E1 June IS.
HOUSE.

/ MI Z LNo introduced y euO5tilute 10
the bill Introduced by him on the 2sth 0
May, to enable the States in rebellion t
regain their privileges in the Union. Or
dered to be printed.
| The substitute contains the following new
section in reference to Tennessee;
Sec. 9. Whereas, the State Of Tennesset
| has returned to her allegiance to the United
States, and by regular convention of hel
| citizens has framed a constitution which
on being submitted to the people, has beer
duly ratified, and which, though not fully
republican nor suited to the altered condi-
ton of her institutions, yet as it contains
many elements Of just government, there
| fore
Be it enacted, that the State of TENNESSEE
be admitted to representation in Congress
and her present senators and representa-
tives, if found to be duly appointed, elected
| and qualified, may be admitted to seats on
taking the required oath; provided that un
less the said State of Tennessee shall, before
the lst day of January next, either by leg
islation or constitutional provision, enfran-
chise all classes of her citizens and extend
the right of suffrage inpartially to every
class, and shall give every person within
her jurisdiction an equal standing in her
courts of law and equity both as suitors and
witnesses,and shall ratify the amendment to
the constitution proposed by this Congress,
then the provisions of this act, so fs- as
they relate to the State of Tennessee ex-
clusively, shall cease and become null and
void, and said State shall no longer be repre-
sented in Congress.
The third section is altered so as to read
Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, that when
ever the President of the United States shall
deem 1t proper, ne shall issue his proclama-
4 - ho LII e.,
form legitimate Constitutions for their re-
spective States. He shall direct an election
to be held on a certain day, to choose dele
gates to Convention which shall meet at a
time specified by him, at the capital Of the
State, and form a Constitution which shall
be submitted to vote of the people, and if
ratified by majority of the loyal voters, te
declared to be the Constitution Of the said
State. ...
The 9th section, declaring that those who
nave forfeited their citizenship shall not be
entitled to exercise the elective franchise
until five years after they shall have filed
their intention to be reinYested with the
rights Of citizenship, is amended so as to
reduce the term to three years. I
Mr.. JENCKES from the Select Committee
on the civil service, reported back the bill
to regulate the civil service Of the United
to be printed.
Mr. HIGBT from the COMMITTEES on Mines
and Mining, reported back, with amend
ments, the bill granting the right of way to
ditch and canal owners over the public
lands in the States of California, Oregon and
Nevada. The amendments were agreed to
and the bill passed. 1t grants to every
company or individual who has in accord
ance with the laws of the States of Cslifor
MIA, Oregon and Nevada, or of the United
States, constructed or who may hereafter
construct canals, bitches or fumes for the
conveyance of water for mining, mechani-
cal or agricultural purposes, the right
of way over the public lands, so long as such
canal shall be used for such purpose.
Mr.. MYERS from the Committee on
Patents reported bill for the extension of
the patent of Jonathan Ball for coating the
interior of metallic water pipes with hydrau-
lie cement
Mr.. DAWES spoke in opposition aud the
bill was postponed till to morrow
Mr. ALLISON reported bill to establish
assay offices for the assay Of gold and silver,
at Portland Oregon, and Bats City, Idaho.
The bill also repeals the act establishing a
branch mint at Dallas City, Oregon, and
provides for the removal Of the machiney,
&c, of the branch mints in Charlotte, N.
c., and Dahlanega, Georgia.
Mr.. HENDERSON was addressing the
House in support of the bill, when the morn
ing hour expired and the bill went over till
tomorrow.
The Senate amendments to the joint reso-
luton proposing an amendment to the Con
ssitution of the United States, was taken
from the Speakers table for action by the
House.
Mr.. STEVENS stated that the House por-
ton Of the Committee on Reconstruction
had examined the Senate amendments and
were unanimously of the opinion that they
should be concurred in. The amendments
were so slight, that unless the gentlemen
on the other side desired to discuss it, the
members on his side were willing to take
the vote at once. IT, however, discussion
was desired, he suggested that the speeches
should be limited to fifteen minutes, as he
proposed to call the previous question at
half past three o'clock.
Mr.. HARDING, Of Kentucky, proposed
that the Democratic side should have one
hour allowed them for debate, to be divided
among them as they chose. Mr.. Stevens
agreed to that. 1t was understood that the
Democratic hour would be pareelled be
tween Mesars. Rogers, Of New Jersey, Hard
ing, of Kentucky and Finek, of Ohio, and
derson and Spalding.
The House then seconded the previous
question and Mr.. Stevens closed the de-
bate. He congratulated the House and the
country that a scheme was soon to be sub
1nitted to the people for the admission of an
outlowed community to the privileges and
advantages of g civilized and free Govern
ment a scheme containing, he said, as
much positive good as the omission Of bet
ter things. In my youth, he concluded, in
manhood, and in my old age, ] have fondly
dreamed that when a fortunate chance
should have broken for time the founda-
tions of our institutions, and released us
from obligationsl the most tYrannieal that
were ever imposed in the name OF Tree
dom, the intelligent, free and Just men of
this republic would turn their professions
their conscinces, and have so remodelled
all our institutions as to have freed them
from every vestage OF oppression, of inequal-
ity of rights, Of the recognized degra-
dation of the poor and the superior caste Of
the rich. In short, that no distinction
would be tolerated in this purified republic,
but that arising from merit This bright
dream has vanished like the baseless fabric
of q vision. I find that we shall be obliged
to be content with patching up the worst
portions Of the ancient edifee and leaving
many Of its parts to be swept through by
the tempests, the frosts and storms Of des-
potism. Do you inquire why, holding these
7eiws and possessing some will Of my own,
I accept so imperfect proposition! an
swer because / live among men and not
among angels; among men as intelligent, as
determined, as independent as myself, who
mot agreeing with me. do not choose to
Weld their opinions to mine. Mutual con-
eession is our only resort for mutual good.
We might we'll have been justified in making
more strenuous efforts for better plan.
Could we have had the cooperation OF
the executive with his cordial assistance
the rebel States might have been made
model Republic and this nation an Empire
Of universal freedom. But he preferred
restoration to reconstruction. He chose
that the slave States should remain as
nearly as p5ssf5fe in their ancient feondi-
ton, with such small notifications as he
and his Prime Minister should suggest,
without any impertinent interference fIom
Congress. He anticipated the legitimate
action Of the National Legislature, who by
rank usurpation erected governments in
fba P-ovinces irnposed llpop their institu-