Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-02-01
The Proposed New Base OF Representation

SubjOined is a fuller report than we were
able to give yesterday of the proceedings in the
House upon the constitutional amendment
question:
MIR. Stevens, from the Joint Committee on
Reconstruction, to whom were referred the
ioint resolution and all OF the proposed amend
TieDts 10 amend the Constitution of the United
states so a. TO provide for a new basis OF rep
resentatIon, reported the following Joint reso-
iuuon as substitute for the propositions re-
IgTred 10 them
Resolred, BY the Senate and House of Rep
resentauves, etc, (two- thirds of both Houses
concurring,) that the following article be pro-
posed TO the Legislatures of the States, as an
amendment TO the Constitution of the United
States, which when ratified by three Gourths of
said Legislatures, shall be valid as part OF said
Constitution, viz:
"Article -. Representatives shall be anpor-
toned among the several States which may
be included WITHIN the Union according to
their respective numbers; counting the whole
number OF persons in each State, excluding In
dians not taxed: ProUided, That whenever the
elective fran chise shall be denied or abridged
N any State on account of race or color. all
persons therein Of such race or color shall be
excluded from the basis of representation"
lThls amendment is the same heretofore under
consideration, except that the words s.and d-
rect taxes" are stricken out after the word
Representatives.
Mr. Stevens addressed the House in support
of The amendment as modified, which be had
presented. He said that il differed only from
the amendment heretofore under consideration
by sirk king out the words "and direct taxesn
lie held differently from the position at the
other end OF the avenue that the Consultation
needed no amendment but should remain as our
fathers made IL. But Congress had duty to dis
charge, he contended, only equaIed for weal
or woe TO that Convention which issued the
Declaration OF Independence. The present
and future generations awaited the legislation
of this Con gress on the basis of freedom with
the greatest and deepest interest
Ii the fathers had placed the Constitution on
the basis of freedom in the Declaration of In
Celpn0eIca there yrnnId haa
slty FOR the present amendment, and every one
would nave been free and equal before the
law. But at the time when it was proposed to
reduce the principles of the declaration into the
organic law OF the land, spirit hot from hell
appeared among the founders of the Govern
ment which had been growing larger and
stronger ever since. The fathers, 20 preserve
and harmoniZe the Conflicting views OF the
thirteen colonies, made a compromise in the
constitution. at the time that took place there
were but ninety bales of cotton exported. Now
there were three millions. Then there were but
few slaves, while now there were four mil
mons OF freedmen-the slaves having increased
so rapidly as 70 exceed even the white popula.
ton of the southern States. He viewed the
present time as the one to do justice TO the prn-
ciples OF ftheConstitution,and he would say now
that he would rather not live than 10 enter
tam the sentiment OF the gentleman from New
York, (Mr Raymond,) and those above him
that the Constitution did not need any amend
ment.
Mr.. Raymond interrupting) said that Mr.
Stevens misunderstood him in saving that he
opposed all amendments. He expressly con-
ceded that some amendment similar to the
pending one should be adopted.
Mr.. Stevens (continuing) said he alluded as
much TO gentleman of the other end of the
avenue as 10 the gentleman from New York
he had as much respect for the President as
any one, but he did not endorse him, tor he had
put forth Il document in the shape of a COM
mand 10 this House, which was q usurpation
and a violation of the rules and privileges of
this House, and hundred wears ago would
nave cost British king his head had he sent
sneh ytl an edict IN such way TO Parliament.
without this amendment he contended that the
States always had the right ite regulate the
elective franchise, and he held that the pend.
ing amendment did not take away this right
when II became Incorporated in the Constitu-
ton IL said, however, TO these States, if they
abused the elective franchise the Constitution
would hold penalty over them.
All knew Of the aspiration and ambition of
the Southern States to rule this nation-for
having failed TO ruin the country they would
now try to rule it but the constitutional
amendment would say to those States, Just 30
far as you abuse the elective franchise byre-
fusing a vote TO the most loyal part of your
population, just so in proportion shah yoosose
sg%a iss Sa1s sF By losing
South would lose by this amendment thirty
five Representatives. Their representation
wonid be reduced from eighty to forty-five,
and then we. could add. he said, the whole nest
triumpbants in sthis Hail. Mr.. stevens Shen
proceeded to f1vcr sthe educationScfyil and
N4q{IfcoHicu lOr f0ur or 0Ve years
TO come, andwhen they became, .qualifisd he
would give them suffrage. But he did not
want them to vote till they were auaiifisd, and
men ne would give them REPRESENTATION. He
would frankly saythat he did not want their
representation until that time.
In a few years he would not be here TO see
those on the other side of the House draw dag
gers on him when he made such q speech as be
was now making, as was the case many years
ago, but freedmen would occupy their places,
de opposed Mr.. Schenck's Proposition TO an
portion representation among male voters IL
was, he said, in one respect Objectionable It
seemed TO indicate q fear Of rivalry with the
women as much as the Democrats had feared
the rivalry Of the negro While he conid No,
get all he wanted. he would take what conld
be carried through the States and through Wa.
thirds OF both Houses. While he had resnect
Ior ,ne recent opinion of the President, q was
well Known that this amendment did notfyc -
MN ior signafnre, and it was therefore ali ths
m ore KING Tor the President to send mis- Opinion
TO this House. f0reat laughterl
M smith, Of Kentucky, called fot tnsarsaa
tng OF the Presidents views 10 MIR M II
S@vens had alluded. rThe Clerk then = y ~
Arsoeiafed Press telegram in Mond{ - Ss{fS,
ffslnE eonyersation Of Sen21Sr w,1S ~ q
President-1 = ss---S1I "a Il