Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-01-31
NEWS OF THE DAY.
GRAGREGG.

IN the Senate yesterday Mr.. Wilson introduced
bill providing for the national defence by establish
ing uniform militia BILL and organizing an active
volunteer militia throughout The United States.
The Judiciary Committee reported that Mr.. Stock
ton duly elected to the United States Senate
and is entitled to his seat for six years from 4th Of
March, 1865 The Legislature of New Jersey pro-
tested against his holding his seat in the Senate
The bill protect citizens in their rights was taken
up by the Senate. and speeches made thereon by
Mr.. Cowan and Mr.. johnson.
In the House several reconstruction propositions
were offered by Mr.. kasson, Of Iowa, and referred
to the joint committee.
The Constitutional Amendment providing for
new basis of representation was taken up by the
House in its order. The Joint resolution as follows
Resolced, by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress as
sembled. 1.-TWO thirds of both Houses coneurring)
That the following article be proposed to the Legis
latures Of the several States an amendment the
Constitution of the United States, which, when rati
ned by thrce-tourths Of said Legislatures shall bo
valid as part Of said Constitution. viz:
Representative and direct taxes shall be appor-
toned among the several States which may be in
cuded within this Union according to their respec-
tive numbers. counting the whole number of persons
in each State, excluding Indians not taxed Propided
That whenever the elective franchise shall be denied
or abridged in any State account of race color
all persons therein of such race or color shall be ex-
cluded from the basis of Representations The amend
ment Of Mr.. Kelly adds. Provided further That
this article shall net be construed to affect the power
of Congress to regulate the qualification for electors
of the most numerous branch of the Legislatures of
the several States.
The proposition of Mr. Baker to amend the amend
ment Of Mr. Kelly, is that representatives shall be
appointed among the several States which may he
included within this Union, according TO their re.
spective number which shall be determined by count
ing the whole number of persons in each State pro-
vded that whenever the elective franchise shall be
denied abridged iii any State or account Of race
or color. all persons of such race or color shall be
excluded from the basis of representation, and no
property qualifications which may or shall in any
wise abridgo the elective franchise.
The proposition of Mr.. Lawrence is
lst. AppOrtion direct taxes among the States ac-
cording to property in each. and which shall
2d. Apportion representatives among the States on
the basis of adult male voters who may be citizens of
the United States.
The amendment of Mr.. Eliot provides that rep
resentatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned
among the several States included in this Union ac-
cording TO their respective number, counting the
whole number of persons in each State, excluding
lnIians, and the franchise shall not be abridged on
J1ount of race OF color in any State.
The amendment Of Mr.. Schenck is, that represen-
tation shall be apportoncd according to the number Of
male citizens over q years Of age having qualiica-
tions requisite for electors.
Congress after the ratification of this amendment
shall provide by law for the actual enumeration of
such voters, which shall be made into general cen
sus of the population Of all the States within every
subsequent term of ten years. The number of rep
reseDtatves shall not exceed for every 12 900 of
actual population but each State shall have at least
one representative.
By a viva voce vote the resolution and amendments
were recommittcd to The joint committee
TEsF EEfaFSs4Ag'E-
In the Senate the bill passed incorporating the
Merchants Steamship Line. The commissioners of
Queen Aune's county were authorized to levy tax
not exceeding 260GG0 FOR the benefit of the Queen
Annes and Kent County Railroad
The bill to encourage ami flcilitatc emigration to
the State of Maryland was read second time in the
House. An effort was mado to kill it by striking out
the enactlng clause. but it faed-yeas Il, nays i2
bill has been introduced into the Legislature re-
peang the act providing for the organization and
discipline of the State militia and appropriating the
Of $l0JO0O enable the Governor to carry into
effect an act substituted in its stead empowering and
him to form volunteer organization. to
be composed Of such returned Union soldiers as he
may deem proper, We print the bill in another
rourpD