Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1866-03-08
coNenrssroNAL raocrrn.ses.

SENA1E.
wAsHrSeToN, March s.
The President pro tenn. laid before the
Senate the petition Of a citizen of Co
lumbia, S. c., setting forth that his en-
tire property, valued at Sl00, 600, was de-
stroyed by the firing Of that city last
winter; that he has always been a loyal
man, and asked indemnify from Con-
gress. Referred to the Committee on
Claims.
Mr.. Wade presented the petition OF citi-
tzenso of Ohio, asking for all rights n
the abolition Of all distinctions on &C
count of color. Referred to the Commit
tee on Reconstruction.
Mr.. Sumner presented a petition, that
no State be restored 10 the Union with
out a full guaranty for the future.
Mr.. Grimes presented a memorial OF
Iowa soldiers for an equalization of boun-
ties. which was referred to the Military
Committee.
Mr.. Brown introduced a bill TO make
eight hours a DAVIS labor for persons em-
ployed by the United States. Referred
to the Committee on Military Affairs
Mr.. Howe rose 10 a personal expla-
nation. He read from the special cores
pondent of the New York Times, an as
sertion hat in the debate on Friday he
was demolished by his colleague, Mr..
Doolittle. Mr.. Howe explained h a the
position he occupied was simply a
| change in the Constitution, which made
the Senate Judge of the qualification,
/ election and admission of its own mem
hers: 50 If Mr.. Doolittle had demolished
his fHowe's) position, he had simply de-
uolished a clause of the Constitution.
His colleague, Mr.. DoOlittle, in arguing
on what the Senate might do in deter
mining election, qualification and adj
mission of its own members, had gone
SO far as 10 say that il ever e~X-senators
from the Confederacy were sent to this
body, the Senate had power to admit or
reject them. He wanted 10 know if two
senators with equal qualifications and
returns presented themselves, whether
the Senate could reject the one and &C.
cept the other, that was all the demol-
ishing there was about it.
Mr.. Doelitle said be had simply stated,
that if the Senate should admit two SEN
ators from Upper Canada, what could
the House do about it? What could the
President? He had made that point in
irving 10 show that the Senate in deter
mining upon the qualifications of its own
members, could not bind itself by action
of the House, nor by the will Of the
President.
Mr.. Wilson offered the following,
which was referred to the Committee on
Reconstruction 4: Joint resolution to pro-
vide for representation in Congress Of
States lately in rebellion, and for the
resumption Of the practical relations of
said States to the United States
Res0lUed, by the Senate and House Of
Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled, that
either Of the States of Virginia, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Flor
ida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ar
kansas, or Texas shall be entitled to re-
presentation in Congress, and to resume
complete practical relations with
the United States whenever the
said States by their Legislatures
shall formally adopt the following
~irreparable fundamental conditions, viz:
That all laws, statutes, ordinances, rules
and regulations heretofore in force or
held invalid in the said State whereby or
wherein inequality of civil rights or i'm
munities among the inhabitants of said
State is recognized, authorized or estab-
lished, or maintained by reason, or
founded upon any distinctions or differ
ences of color, race or descent, or upon a
previous condition or status of slavery or
involuntary servitude, be declared absO-
lutely null and void, and that it shall be
forever unlawful to institute, make, or
dain or establish Ia the said State any
law, statute, act, ordinance, rule or regu-
lation, or to enforce, or 10 attempt
to enforce the same; there shall
be no discrimination whatever
in civil rights or immunities
among the inhabitants of said State on
account Of color, race or descent, or a
previous condition of slavery or in%volun-
tary servitude, but all the inhabitants, /
without regard to color, race or descent,
or any previous condition of slavery or
involuntary servitude, shall have the
same righttomake and enforce contracts,
to sue, TO be parties and give evidence in
all courts and causes, JOinherit, purchase,
lease, sell and convey real and personal
property, and to have the full and equal
benefit Of all laws and proceedings for
the protection Of persons and property, !
and shall be subject to the same punish
ment and penalties, and TO Ione other.
Sd. That the right Of voting for cleo
tors and President and Vice President of
the United States, for Representatives to
Congress, and for the members of the
State Legislature, shall be granted by
sad State to the following classes of per
sons Of African descent, viz: All males
of the age of twenty-one years and up
wards who have been duly enrolled and
mustered into service in the army OF
navy of the United States, who pay a
tax on real or personal property, and ell
males Of like age who are able 10 read
the Constitution of the United States,
and possess the qualifications required BY
the Constitution of the said State not in
consistent herewith,
4th. That 10 payment shall ever be
demanded by the said State of the Uni
ted States, nor be made by the said State
or by the United States for or in Teceint of
any debt contracted or incurred IN aid Of
the rebellion against the United States.
Sec. q. Ind be it further ResoIUed,
That the provisions of this joint resolu-
ton shall take effect 50 soon as either of
said States, for and by its Legislature,
shall by a solemn act declare the assent
Of the said State to the fundamental
conditions herein prescribed, which con-
ditions shall be in said act forever ire
pealable under amy circumstances what
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