The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-05-11
xxx coSeREss--F1Hsr SESSION
HOUSE.

nal the House resumed the consideration of
the Constitutional amendment reported by
the Reconstruction Committee.
Mr. Randall, of Pennsylvania, addressed
the House in opposition to the measure. He
wished that the colored race in the Southern
States were allowed to occupy the same posi-
ton as it did in his own State but as he was
not willing that the General Government
should interfere with the matter in Pennsyl-
vania neither was he willing that it should
interfere with it in the south. The injustice
and enemies of the third section had been
SO thronghly exposed by gentlemen on the
Republican side that he deemed it unneces
sary to say any thing about it, further than
to express his belief that the intention was to
Iprevent the possibility Of any Southern State
voting for the amendment as a whole.
The scheme was one of procrastination and
ldelay, looking to the exclusion of Southern
States till after the next Presidential election.
The Presidents plan, on the contrary, was
plain and simple, just and effectual, and as
he believed acceptable to the vast majority OF
the people north and south. The issue be-
tween the President and Congress was made
up, and an appeal must be made to the peo-
pie. He believed that nothing could avert
the speedy possession o the legislative
branch of the Government by conservative
men of the country under the lead Of Andrew
Johnson
Mr.. Strouse, of Pennsylvania, followed on
/ the same side. He declared tkat the Consti-
tuition was never intended to be plastered and
polished, and that Congress should be ex--
ceedingly cautious about tampering with it.
| Mr.. Banks, Of Massachusetts, was the next
speaker. He regarded this as the most i'm
portant question that could be presented to
Congress or the country. He believed that
the organization OF the Government in the
insurgent States could only be safely made by
efecting a change III the basis of political So
ciety in the Southern States untouched,
and left the enemies of the country in con-
dition to renew the war. therefore no PROPOSE
ton met his entire approval, which did not
effect a radical change IN the basis Of politi-
cal society in those States; but he did not
expect the House to adopt his opinions, nor
would he insist on any theories Of his own
| He had no doub. that the Government Of the
United States had full authority 10 extend
the elective franchise to the colored people of
the South, but he did not think ii had the
power. The public opinion of the country
was such at this moment as to make it impos-
slble. tie therefore thought it was on the
| part OF the committee on reconstruction to
waive that matter in Difference to public opln-
ion. while he deemed the provisions in regard
TO Representation equitable, he did no, think
| it important. In his judgment it was Of no
consequence whether the late rebel States had
fifty or ffty-eight Representatives in the
House. The Southern people governed hy
| force. their philosophy which was force.
their practice was force, whether few or
many they would have power whenever they
were restored. While, therefore, he agreed
cheerfully to the proposition. both in purpose
v,hr
| the question at issue. He received the prop.
| ostion TO dsfranceise the enemies Of the
country. He thought it right in principle and
necessary at this time. He did not care
much whether the extension of franchise to
the negro was complied with, although he was
in favor of it. He had no difficulty in regard
to supposed unfairness of disfranchising dis
loyal men who had come within the terms Of
the amnesty proclamation for he held that all
proclamations and military conferences The
idea Of restoring political rights, was care.
| fully guarded against. He did not agree
with the gentleman from Ohio, Mr.. Garfield.
as to the impracticability of enforcing dis
reimbursement, nor did not apprehend the re
lection of the proposed amendment
thus far and no farther. There were twenty
FIVE states represented in the House. and two
more would give the number requisite to
adopt the constitutional amendment He
believed that Tennessee and Kansas would
| ratiiy II, ,ahd that would give the requisite mum
! ber OF votes. If the amendment was to be
defeated at all, il would be defeated BIZ Re-
publican or Democratic States: it would moi,
/ be by any of the insurgent States. II was
uot true that nne-tenths, or any such large
proportion of the Southern people were enc
mics to the Government. The common peo.
pie of the South would ultimately be found
among the truest and best friends of the
Government He thought that Switzerland
the wisest government fthe earth, had given
a good lesson on this subject. That Govern
ment had encouraged. in 1913, difficulties
similar to those which this Government had
linst encountered Switzerland suppressed
the rebellion and organized the Government
in the rebelhous locations Just as President
Lincoln had undertaken to organize the Gov
ernment in the southern States. 1t maintained
power in the hands of its friends. and disfran
chlsed Its enemies until after such time as it
permitted Its recreant sons to resume their
political rights, and from that policy Switzer-
land was day as sound and safe Govern
ment as there vas Oh the continent of Europe.
The descent of the Speaker here announced
the termination of the half hour allowed TO
each member for discussion. The debate
was continued by Messrs. Rogers and Bea-
r..
against IT, Mr.. Beaman, while supporting the
Ijoint resolution, expressed hope that it would
be amended by striking out the third section
to which he had serious objections.
Mr.. Rogers congratulated himself that he
was fortified in the position he took by one
who held the reins Of power III the Presifen-
tial chair and declared if he was q citizdn oi
u Southern State be would vote to give Colo
RADIO people every right except the right oi
intermarriage with whites and the right to vote
at the ballot box
Mr.. Farnsworth was the next speaker. He
expressed his intention to vote for the Joint
resolution as reported, with the exception o
section third. The measure was not all he
wished nor all the country expects, but it was
not becoming a legislator to oppose good he
cause he could not have ali the good he
wished. Instead of the third he was not In
favor of having an article in the Constitution
forever disqualifying all the leading rebels
from holding any Office under the United
States, thus making treason odious and trai
tors Infamous.
SENATE
The House bill to authorize the services o
the Admiral of the Navy to appoint a Secre
tary with the rank and pay of lieutenant wa:
passed.
A resolution calling upon the Secretary O
War for information as to the intention of the
E Government with regard to the government
works at Harper's Ferry was adopted.
A bill to authorize the coinage Of FIVE cen
pieces was passed.
bill to impose 20per cent. ad valorum
duty on cattle imported into this country wa.
passed with an amendment exempting for ten
days cattle already owned by American citi
zens in the British provinces