The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-01-31
CoNaREssIONALP PROCEEDINGS.
wAsHNeToN, Jan. 90, 1855.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 80, 1896.
l.7s- rrcgrIs SENATE. grEyEs
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill provid-
ing for the national defences by the es-
| Enlistment of an active volunteer mil
itia throughout the United States OF
all able bodied citizens between 81 and
80 years of age, to beIenrolled with ex-
ceptions similar to those IN rela-
ton to the draft during the rebellion
The Bureau of Militia is authorized as
well as the Adjutant General in such
Estates. There shall be one active regi-
ment of infantry in each congress
sionaI district, territory and the d1strlct
| of Columbia, of citizens between II ana
so years of age, TO be enrolled for i've
within that period. Officers in States
to be appointed by the Governor, and
districts by the President, usually to be
selected from persons who have been
examined by a military board appoint
ed by same authorities. Regimental
commanders to appoint their own nom
commissioned officers, and the last Sec
ton provides that the President may
order the whole or any part of the vol
unter militia into the service of the
United States during insurrection, re-
bellion, foreign war, or overthrow an
opposition to the laws too strong Tor the
civil authorities to overcome, or upon
apprehension of either, and any MEM
Der who shall fail to appear without
| q valid excuse, may be tried by court
martial for desertion. The bill was re-
ferred to the military committee.
Mr.. Dixon called up the bill on
stamps and stamped envelopes on cred
it. There was discussion on this sub
iect until the morning hour expired,
and the chairman announced that the
bill to protect all persons in the United
States in the enjoyment of their civil
rights, and tofurnish the means OF their
modification, was before the Senate
The question was upon the adoption of
Mr.. Trumbull's amendment to insert
after the second clause the words THAT
all persons of African descent born in
this country, are hereby declared citi-
zens of the United States"
Mr.. Salisbury called for the yeas and
nays.
Mr.. Van Wrinkle spoke against the
amendment. He did not think it wise
or constitutional to adopt it.
Mr.. Trumbull withdrew the amend
ment above stated, and offered in lieu
of it the following: That all persons
born in the United States, not subject to
any foreign power, are hereby declared
out distinction of color or race.
Mr.. Guthrie, of kentucky, inquired |
if Mr.. Trumbnll intended to naturalize
Indians. ma if
Mr.. TrumbuH said we deal with In
dams by treaty and not by law unless
in reference to those who are incorpor-
ated into the United States and are sub
ject to taxation.
Mr.. Cowan, of Penna., called atten-
ton to the fact that this amendment
would naturalize a great number OF
Chinese children in California
Mr.. Trumbull said the children of
Chinese parents born in this country
were citizens. If this were not true,
then were many counties in Virginia so
inha bitated by Germans that there
must be very few citizens in them. In
his bill no loan will be necessary. There
is no conflict between the the Secretary
and the Committee, and there is pros
pect that the new bill will be SO prepar-
ed as to meet with the approval of the
President.
Mr.. Lane said there were Indians in
Kansas who owned lands, but were not
citizens.
Considerable discussion ensued be-
tween Mr.. Lane and others.
Mr.. Howard then took the floor. He
stated that when the constitutional
amendment was before the Judiciary
Committee he was member of that
committee, and the second clause of
the amendment he knew to be
indicted for precisely the same
kind of legislation now before the
amendment was to relieve slaves from
compulsory service, such was not the
construction intended by the friends of
the amendment, nor by the bar of the
United States, nor by the liberty loving
people of the United States. Without
law of this kind he said the people of
the Southern States would have right
TO expatriate the freed negro, or compel
him to labor for whatever his
master might choose to pay.
Mr.. Lane, of Kansas, offered an
Mr.. johnson said the amendment of Mr..
amendment to the amendment of Nh.
Trnmbull to insert after the words
''foreign power" the words "or trIbnn-
al authority" t.4l,ts
TrumbulI proposed to define citizenship.
No body was more willing than he to
admit that such definition was desir-
able. The bred Scott decision, how
ever, had decided that persons of
African descent whether born in the
United States or not, should be Africans
under the Constitution, and that the
decision had not been set aside. The
bill he said would effect not only color
ed but white persons. as under it no,
State could distinguish between the cit
liens born in their own State or those
born in another State or country.
. T Adjourned, ~ 10 4 t.i2H- ?