The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-02-06
coNonEss1oSAIPEocEEDIsGs.
wAsH1NaToN, Feb. 5, 1866.
SENATE.

E41NA4G4
By clerical error in the report of
recent days proceedings, the bill intro
duced by Mr.. Anthony, to regulate sut-
fraee in the District OF Columbia, IS
made to confer the right of suffrage only
upon white persons. 1t confers 1t upon
all male persons resident in the District
now or prior to the election, and upon
all who were entitled tovote at the cleo
ton of 1865. 1t makes no distinction
on account of color.
Mr.. Ramsay, of Minnesota, presented
a memorial from the citizens of Min
nesota asking for the establishment of
a bureau at Washington TO have charge
of the educational interest of the coun-
try, and to establish common schools
in every part of the Union.
Mr.. Clark, of n. H., from the Com
mittee on Claims, reported adversely
upon several petitions for compensa-
ton for losses incurred by invading ar
mics in Virginia and elsewhere
Mr.. Nye, OF Nevada, called up a bill
for the relief of Paymaster Pittenham
of the Pacific squadron, to indemnify
him for the loss of government funds
stolen from his safe. In the discussion
OF the above measure, Mr.. wilson, who
opposed it, stated that the government
had lost not less than q quarter Of a
million through the negligence of pay
masters since the commencement of the
war. He thought it best to hold every
one of them to strict account, and not
set bad precedent at this time, when
there were so many settlements with
Paymasters being made.
Pending the discussion of the above,
Mr.. Fessenden said: i gave notice that
ON Monday would ask the Senate TO
proceed TO the consideration of the joint
resolution for an amendment to the
constitution, reported by the committee
on Reconstruction, and as understand
that the Senator from Massachusetts Is
prepared to speak on that measure, and
other gentlemen understand that he is
to do so to-day, shall make motion
that all further consideration of this
bill be postponed until Tuesday, and
that we proceed to the consideration of
the joint resolution. ss:sh
Mr.. Stewart, of Nevada, spoke of the
necessity of taking action on the bill
for the admission Of Colorado.
Several Senators replied that the bill
for the admission of Colorado could be
taken up at any time. ~ /,
The ioint resolution was then read
proposing the following amendment
article: Representation shall be appor-
toned among the several States that
may be incorporated within the Union
according to their respective numbers
counting the whole number of persons
in each State, excluding Indians not
taxed, provided that whenever the
elective franchise shall be denied or
abridged on account of race or color,
all persons of such race or color shall
be excluded from the basis of represen-
ton. flC.r :. (
Mr.. Sumner took the floor, and after
a few introductory remarks, called for
the reading of the following PROPOSE
ton, offered by him as q substitute for
the above joint resolution:
WHEREAS, 1t Is provided that the
Constitution of the United States shall
guarantee to every State in the Union
republican form of governments; and
whereas, by reason of the failure of GER
taid States to maintain the government
which Congress can recognize, it has be-
come the duty of the United States,
standing in the place ofguarantee where
the principal has made lapse, to Sc
cure to such States, according to the re-
ment republican in form; and whereas,
further It is provided in recent consti-
tutional amendment that Congress may
enforce the prohibition of slavery =by
appropriate legislation, and IL is
important to this end that all
relics of slavery should be re-
moved, including all distinction, OF
rights on account of color. Now, there
fore, to carry out the guaranty of a Re
publican form of government and TO
enforce the prohibition of slavery be 1t,
ResoIVed 81 the Senate aud House OF
REPRESENTATIVES in Congress assembled,
That in all the States lately declared to
be in rebellion there shall he no oli-
garch, aristocracy, caste, or monopoly
invested with particular privileges and
powers, and there shall be no denial OF
rights, civil or political on account OF
color or race, but all persons shall be
equal before the law whether in the
court room or at the ballot-box, and
this statute male in pursuance of the
Constitution shall be the supreme law
of the land, any thing in the Constitu-
tion or laws OF any such State to the
contrary notwithstanding.
Mr.. Sumner gave briefly his objec-
lions to the, proposed constitutional
amendment, which Northumberland as
nothing else than another compromise
of human rights, as if the country had
not already paid enough in costly
treasure and in more costly blood for
such compromises. In the past 1t was
wrong to admit in the constitutions the
idea that man could hold property in
man-and so also, the kindred idea OF
INEQUALITY OF race, and TINS set al
naught the first principles I OF
the Declaration of Independence,
and the guarantee of republican form
of government. There are four million
of citizens now robbed of all share in
the government of their country, while
at the same time they are taxed direct
ly or indirectly for the support of the
government and this tyranny of taxa
ton, without representation. II Is now
proposed to recognize us not inconsist-
ent with constitutional rights, the guar
antees of a republican government,
speaking with a sincere Difference Tor
those valued friends from whom
he differed. BE submitted that the
time had come at last when all
the compromises of human rights
be no thought of a three-handed com
promise, which, after degrading the
Constitution renowned a benencient
power, and lastly, borrowing an exam
pie from the times of Pontius Plate
who turned out a whole race to sacri-
flee. Mr.. Sumner then proceeded to
his argument on the powers or Con-
gress 10 procure equal rights for all
and began by expressing heartfelt as
suranee that the day might soon come
when the States lately in rebellion could
be received into co-partnersihp,o of politi-
cal power and into the full fellowship
of the Union. He saw full well that il
was in vain to expect the day which we
SO much longed for until we Lad allow
ed that security for the future which
was only found in the equal rights OF
all, whether in the court room or ballot
box. The powers of Congress on the
subject were as ample as they were ben
Efficient. From four special foutts they
flow, each sufficient for the purpose; all
four swelling into an irresistible cur
rent, aud leading to our conclusion,
tirst, tho necessity of the case by
which according 10 the analogy of
the territories, disloyal States saving
the local governments lapse under the
authority of Congress. Second, by the
rights OF war, which do not expire or
lose their grasp, except with the estab-
lIshment of ali needfnl guarantees.
Thirdly, The constitutional injunction