The Portland daily press., 1866-01-29
LIZ TELEGRAPH,
TO THE DAILY PRESS.
Monday Morning, January, 20, 1866
From Washington.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2S.
The following is the substance of the con-
versation which took place to-day between the
President and distinguish I'd Senator:
The President said he doubted the propriety
at this time of making any further amend
ments to the Constitution. One great amend
ment had already been made by which slavery
had forever been abolished within the limits
OF the United States, and national guarantee
thus given that that institution should never
again exist in the land Propositions to amend
the Constitution were becoming as numerous
as prcambles and resolutions at town meet
ines called to consider the most ordinary ques-
tions connected with the administration of 10
cal affairs All this, in his opinion, had ten
dency to diminish the dignity and prestige at
tached to the Constitution Of the country. and
to lessen the respect and confidence Of the
people in their charter of freedom. II, how
ever amendments are made to the Constitution,
changing the basis of representation and tax
alton, and he did not deem them at all neces-
sary at the present time, he knew of none bet
ter than simple preparation embraced in a
few lines, making in each State the number OF
qualified voters the basis of representation,
and the value of property the basis of direct
taxation. Such a proposition could be en-
braced in the following terms:
Representatives shall be apportioned among
the several States which may be included with
in this Union according to the number of quail
flied voters in each State; direct taxes shall
be apportioned among the several States which
may be included within the Union, according
to the value Of all taxable property in each
State" - ",f
An amendment of this kind would, in his
opinion, place the basis of representation and
direct taxation upon correct principles. The
qualified voters were, for the most part, men
who were subject to draft and enlistment when
it was necessary to repel invasion, suppress re-
bellion, and gael domestic violence and insur-
rection. They risked their lives, shed their
blood and periled their all to uphold the gov
eminent, and give protection, security and val
ue to property. 1t seemed but just thai prop
erty should compensate for the benefits thus
conferred by defraying the expenses incident
to its protection and enjoyment. 80, XXI
Such an amendment, the President also
suggested, would remove from Congress all is
sues in reference to the political equality Of
the races. 1t would leave the states to deter
mine absolutely the qualifications Of their own
voters without regard to color, and thus the
number of representatives to which they would
be entitled il, Congress would depend upon the
number upon which they conferred the right
of suffrage. ralIt
The President in this connection, expressed
the opinion that the agitation Of the negro
franchise question in the District of Columbia
at this time, was the mere entering wedge to
the aditation of the question throughout the
states, and was i'll timed, uncalled for and cal
culated to do great harm. He believed it
would engender enmity contention and strife
between the two races and lead to a war be-
tween them which would result in great in
jury to both and the certain determination of
the negro population. Precedence, be thought
should be given to more important, and ur-
gent matters, legislation upon which, was es-
seutial for the restoration of the Union, the
peace of the country and the posterity Of the
people. - &EH GfE