North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-02-07
THE PRESIDENTS VIEWS.
He Dlsapp-Oves OF the Numerous .Const ftu-
tieBaf Amendments.
agitation of Negro Franchise Con-
sidered lll-timed, Uncalled tor
and Calculated to do harm.

he DEEMsA CH'NGE of REPRESENTATION
UNNEcEssARY.
WAsHINGroN. Jan. 28.--The following
is the substance Of \ conversation which
took place to-day. between the President
and distinguished Senator
The President said that he doubted the
propriety, at this time, Of making any fur
ther amendments to the Constitution. One
great amendment had already been made,
by which slavery had forever been abol-
ished within the limits of the United
States, and national guaranty thus given
that that institution should never exist in
the land.
Propositions to amend the Constitution
were becoming as numerous as preambles
and resolutions at town meetings called to
consider the most ordinary question con-
nected W tn the administration of local af-
fairs. All this, in his opinion, had ten
dency 10 adminish the dignity and prest ge
attached to the Constitution of the coun-
try, and to lessen the respect and conf
dence Of the people in their great Charter
| of freedom
If, however,amendments are to be made
to the Constitution, changing the basis of
representation and taxation land he did
not deem item at all necessary at tn.
present tima), he knew of none better
than single proposition, embraced in a
few lines, making in each State the num-
Der of qualified voters the basis Of repre-
sentation, and the value Of property the
basis of direct taxation. Such q PROPOSE
tion could be embraced in the following
| terms
Representatives shall be appointed
among the several States which may be in
cluded in this Union, according to the
number OF qualified voters in each State,
Direct tax shall be apportioned among
the several States which may be included
IN the Union, according to the number OF
quail fled voters in each State.
An amendment of this kind would, in
his opinion, place the basis of representa-
ton and direct taxation upon correct prin-
cip!es. The qualified voters were for the
mos; part. men who were subject to draft
and enlistment when it was necessary to
repel invasion, suppress rebellion and quell
domestic violence and insurrection.
They risk their lives. shed their blood
and peril their all to behold the Govern.
ment, and give protection, security ana
value to their property. 1t seems but just
that property should compensate for the
benefits thus conferred by detraying the
expenses incident to this protection and
ENJOYMENT.
| Such An amendment the President also
suggested would remove from Congress al
issues IN reference TO the political equality
of the races. 1t would leave the State L
determine absolutely the qualifications o
their own voters with regard to color, anC
thus the lumber OF Representatives tc
which they would be entitled in Cougres.
would depend upon the number upol
which they conferred the right of suffrage
The President. In this connection. ex
pressed the opinion that the agitation O
the negro franchi.e quest on in the Dis
trict OF Columbia at this time was the mere
entering wedge TO the agitation If the
| question throughout the States. and wa
Ill timed, uncille1 for, and calculated to d,
great harm
lie believed that it would engender en-
mity, contention and strife betw ,en the TIVE
races, and lead to a war between them
which would result in great injury to both
and the certain exte rmination of the nepr,
population.
Precedence, he thought, should be givel
to more important and urg,nt matters, leg
lsiatlon upon which was essential for the
restoration of the Union. the peace of the
country, and the prosperity of the people