Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1866-02-01
Negro Suffrage Bill-President
Johnson on Constitutional
Amend IN MS.

WASHINGTON v, Jan. 2S.-Various correspondents
and editors OF the news paper press. representing
all sections OF the country, last night gave com
plimentary supper to their popular and highly cs-
teemed fellow journalist, Samuel VI. Carpenter
who is the eve Of changing the field Of his pro-
fessional duties to South America.
Representatives Hubbill, of Ohio and Whitley
of West rginia. in addition to John L. Thcmas,
Of Maryland, have sought TO have their names re-
corded against the District Of Columbia suffrage
bill, tu. the re9ues: has been denied, because Of
their absence from the House at the time the vot
was taken on the passage OF the bill.
WASHINGTON, Jan. IS The following 10 the snb-
stance OF conversation which took place to day
between the President AMI distinguished Sena
tor. The President said tina. he doubted the pro-
priety ut t. time of making any further amend
ments to the Constitution. Ohe great amend
ment had already been nude. by which slavery had
been forever abolished within the limits Of the
United States, and National guaranty thus Civ
en- that that Institution should never again ex-
list in the land. Propositions to amend the Con-
stitution we're becoming as numerous n pream-
bles aad resolutions at town meetings, called to
consider the most ordinary questions connected
with the administration of local affairs. All this,
in his opinion, had tendency to diminish the dig
nifty and prestige attached To the Constitution of
our country, and lessen the respcc. and confidence
of the people in their great charter OF freedom -
Ii. however, amendments are to be m lde to the
Constitution changing the basis of representation
and taxation, he did not deem them at all neces
sary. At the present time he knew Of none bet
ter than a simple proposition embraced in q few
lines making in each State the number OF quail
fed voters the basis Misrepresentation, and the val
ue of property the basis of direct taxation. Such
a proposition could be embraced in the following
terms: Representatives shall be appointed among
the several States which may be included within
I Il al, "a
voters in each State. Direct taxes shall be ap-
portioned among the several States which way be
included within this Union, according to the value
of all taxable property in each State An amend
ment of this kind, would in hi, opinion, place the
basis OF repr esentation and direct taxation upon
correct principles. The qualified voters were. for
the most part, men who were subject to draft and
enlistment, when necessary to repel invasion, sup
press rebellion, and quell domestic violence and
insurrection. They risk their lives, shed their
blood, and spend their all to uphold the govern
ment and give protection, security and the value
to property. 1t seemed but just that property
should compensate the expenses incident to its
protection and enjoyment. Such an amendment,
the President also suggested, would remove from
Congress all issues in reference TO the political
equality Of the races. II would leave the States
to determine absolutely the qualifications of their
own voters withoutregard to color, thus the num-
Der Of Representatives to which they would be en-
titled in Congress would depend upon the number
upon which they conferred the right Of suffrage.
The President, in this connection. expressed the
opinion that the agitation of the negro franchise
question in the District Of Columbia at this time
was the more entering wedge to the agitation OF
the question throughout the States. and was ILL
timed, uncsllcd for and calculated TO do great
harm. He believed that it would engendsr en-
nifty and strif. between the two and lead to
a war between them which would result in eat
injury to both, ard the certsin determination OF
the negro population. Precedence, he thought,
should be given to more important and urgent
matters. legislation upon which WAS essential for
she restoration Of the Union, the peace OF the
country, an the prosperity Of the people.