The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-02-03
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.

1
SENATE.-Mr. Sumner introduced the
following joint resolution for carrying
out 1.-THE guarantees of the republican
form of government in the Constitution
of the United States, and enforcing the
constitutional amendment for the prohi.
bition of slavery:
Whereas, 1t is provided that the con-
stitution of the United States shall
guarantee to every State in the Union a
republican form of government; and
whereas, by reason of the position of
certain States to maintain the govern
ment, which Congress can recognize, it
becomes the duty of the United States.
standing in the place of guarantor to Sc
cure to such States, according to the re-
| quirement of the guarantee, govern
ments 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 it is impor.
tant to this end that all relics Of slavery
should be removed, including all dis.
tinction of right on account of color /;
now therefore, to carry out the guaran.
tee of a republican form of government
and to enforce the prohibition Of slavery,
be it
Resolved, by the Senate and House of
Representatives That in all the States
lately declared to be in rebellion there
shall be no oligarchy, aristocracy, caste,
or monopoly, invested with peculiar
privileges and powers and there shall be
no denial of ri0hts, civil or political, on
account of color or race, but all persons
shall be equal before the law, WHIT ther
in the court room or at the ballot-boX;
and this statute, made in pursuance OF
the constitution, shall be the supreme
law of the land, anything in the laws or
constitution of any State to the contrary
Notwithstanding.
The preamble and resolution were laid
on the table and ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Sumner gave notice that he should
move this joint resolution as counter
proposition to the constitutional amend.
ment passed by the House.
Mr.. Nesmith introduced bill to grant
lands in aid of the construction of q
railroad and telegraph line from the
Central Pacific Railroad of California to
Portland in Oregon On the ravigable wa
ters Of the Columbia river.
Mr.. Home presented a petition OF the
citizens of Wisconsin asking that persons
of African descent in the lately rebellious
States be admitted to citizenship and
equal rights as q condition precedent to
the re-admission of those States. Re-
ferred to the committee on Reconstruc.
ton
Mr., Sherman presented petition Of
Ohio soldiers, asking for an equalization
of bounties, Referred to the committee
on Military Affairs.
Mr.. Nye offered a resolution, which
was adopted, requiring the Secretary of
the Interior to set apart room in the
Patent Office for the exhibition OF gold
and silver.
The bill for the sale of postage stamps
and stamped envelopes on credit was
taken up and passed.
Mr.. Trumbull called up the bill FOL the
protection Of all persons in the enjoy
ment of their civil rights.
Mr., Davis took the floor III Continua-
tion of his speech commenced yesterday,
and offered an amendment to strike ont
the first section of the bill and insert a
provision that the citizens of one State
shall he entitled to be citizens of the
several States, &c.
Mr.. Trumbull replied to Mr.. Davis
speech. Mr.. Davis had characterized
the bill, he said, as monstrous, intolerG.
BILE and unconstitutional, simply be.
cause it declared that all men should be
equal in the enjoyment of their civil
rights. 1t was not bill for the benefit
of the black men, or the benefit Of the
white men. 1t simply proposed to break
down the barriers which had heretofore
denied civil rights to the black man. 1t
had nothing to do with political rights,
and did not confer the right of suffrage.
1t simply gave secured rights, guaran-
teed by theadoption the constitutions
al amendment
Mr.. Guthrie did not think that the bill
was warranted bv the constitution OF by
sound policy. The pretense for the bill
was the adoption Of the constitutional
amendment.
Mr. Hendricks moved to strike out the
ninth section authorizing the use OF the
army and navy to enforce its provisions
Mr., Lane, of Indiana, favored the bill,
Mr.. Wilson replied to some remarks
of Mr.. Guthrie's made some four days
since.
MI. CONdu llO pONCA VI NOA-
gress to repeal State laws relative to
citizenship
Mr.. Trumbuil replied to the argu-
ments against the bill.
Mr.. Salisbury moved adjournment.
Lost.
A vote was taken on Mr. Hendricks
amendment, which was lost
Mr., Davis amendment was then voted
down.
Ma. Salisbury moved an amendment,
inserting after the words civil rights"
the words except the right to vote"
Lost; yeas 7, nays 39.
On motion af Mr.. Norton the amend.
ment was adopted striking out, that
portion of the seventh section imposing
fine of 4 thousand dollars in the case
OF the escape of any culprit from the
Justice in charge.
The bill then passed; yeas 80, nays u.
Adjourned till Monday.
HousE.-Mr. Kasssou offered resolu.
tion which was agreed TO, that the COM
mittee on the Pacific Railroad be
instructed to enquire into the expedien.
CIV of extending government aid to tie
Iowa branch OF the Pacific Railroad in
an amount equal to that extended to
the Kansas branch Of said road, for the