Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1866-12-20
LATEST TELBGRAMS.


/ Congressional Proceedings.
WASHINGTON, Dec. I9.-SExATE. Mr..
Harris, from the Judiciary Committee, re-
ported, with amendment, the House bill to
change the time Of the meeting Of Con-
| gress.
The joint resolution suspeHding the pub
| LEGATION Of the volunteer Army Register
was taken up, and reeommitted to the Mill
\ tary Committee. - Z
/ Mr.. Fessenden presented petition from
railroad presidents, asking a reduction of
/ the duty on railroad iron and steel.
Mr.. Ross introduced a Joint resolution
relating TO the governments of the States
lately in rebellion, which was Laid on the
table.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs will
report faYorably on the appointment Of
Mr.. Hoffman as Secretary of Legation al
Paris.
The report of the Board appointed to
examine breech-loading arms is published.
The conclusions arrived at are that all
arms in the service should be fitted for the
same cartridges, and that Col. Berdons plan
Of alteration should be adopted. They are
unable to recommend any of the breech
leaders presented fer examination. The
| Spencer magazine carbine is recommended
as the best cavalry arm.
On motion of Mr.. Weston, the Secretary
of the Interior was requested to communi-
cate what amount of goods for the Indian
bureau had been purchased in open market
since the first of January last, giving de-
| tails, etc.
Mr. Pomeroy introduced bill to equal
ize the value of currency.
| IN motion Of Nv AVillian,s ba
mittee on Foreign Relations were instructed
to inquire into the expediency of prohibit
ing immigration of Chine into the United
! States.
The bill for the admission Of Nebraska
was now taken mp.
The pending question was or the amend
ment of Mr.. CoWan, providing as a condi-
ton, the citizens Of Nebraska should never
claim the right to leave the Union.
Mr.. Ross, of Kansas, offered the following
joint resolution retaining to the govern
ment of the States lately in rebellion
Whereas, The amendment to the consti-
tuition Of the United States, proposed at the
first session of the 49th Congress, known as
article IA and submitted 70 the several
States for their acceptance or rejection,
not having been accepted by the States
and certain sections of country lately in re-
bellion, being thereby in danger of falling
into a state of anarchy, by reasons of their
having no legitimate government. Be it
therefore
Resolved by the State and House of
Representatives of the United States, in
Congress assembled, That the Joint Com
mittee on Reconstruction, be directed to
inquire into the expedieney of establishing
such regulations for the government of
such districts in rebellion against the
United States, as shall have refused, or
shall hereafter refuse TO accept said amend
ment, as may be found necessary for the
promotion of peace and the protection Of
the citizens, and the interests of the govern
ment in these districts. The resolution
was laid on the table, and ordered to be
printed. 81
Mr. Howard, of Michigan, argued that
the requirements of the enabling act had
been complied with. AT this critical time,
these territories, Colorado and Nebraska
should not be made the subject of these
abstruse questions proposed by Senators.
The making and comforting suffrage upon
the negro is fundamental condition to the
admission Of Nebraska, which was dan
gerous precedent. Congress had q right to
impose conditions, but they should be con-
ditions made before the territory entered
the Union.
Mr. Brown, OF No, asked whether or
not the States had the exclusive right TO
control the question of the right of fran
chise. The Senator had said that in case a
State should destroy the republican form of
government, the United States had not the
right TO guarantee and protect that republic
can form ofgoyernment in the State.
Mr.. Howard said that the question did
not present itself now; when it did he
would apply the remedy provided by the |
constitution ss'.selta
Mr.. Norton, Of Minnesota, asked wheth-
er the Senator had not, on some former &C.
casion, used this very argument which he |
now cOntradicted.
MIR. Howard said the Senator was mis-
informed. Congress had not agreed to ad- |
NIT those States on that ratification, leaving |
open the question whether three-fourths of |
the States would ratify these amendments.
He read from report of the Reconstruc
ton Committee, to show that when these |
amendments had become part of the con-
stitution, then those States should be ad- |
mitted
Mr.. Howard spoke in strong terms of |
the Presidents acts, and said that it was
time Congress should fortify itself |
against his Wanton use of the veto |
power, for il was obvious no legisla-
lion eonld take place without a'two-third
vote was secured in this view. He thought |
il was his duty to defeat the absolute pow
er Of the Executive. The organ of the
President had threatened revolution. He /
was not to be intimidated by the threats Of |
the one or the prophecies of the other.
Mr.. johnson, of Maryland, understood
the amendment TO place the admission of |
Nebraska upon two grounds. First, that
new States could be admitted and second,
that Congress should guarantee Republi-
can form of government there, were qpes-
tions to be considered beyond the political
questions OF the day. T# |
Mr.. johnson referred To the differences
between the States which formed the Fed
eFal constitution on the question of equal /
representation in. this body.
Mr.. Madison thought this inconsistent
with the principle that the States should
be equal in representation in the Senate
and House, and that such limited rule
would make them unequal. 1t was weed
down, but the danger was still apparent.
That danger was now upon them. He
thought il wrong to admit the States until
the necessity became apparent To give
such States two Senators when StatesaFith
population of 100000 had no more,
would seem TO be very unWise. He doubted
if there were more than $4,000 population
in Nebraska. He thought it unlikely the
South would ever attempt to break from
the TTuion h1t fha great West Kvntlld in |
time numerically outnumber the East.
How long would it be before they would
get dissatisfied and endeavor to sever their
connection? How long before it would be
said by some wiser than those who formed
the constitution, that those States were not
represented in form The West would
some time say it would not live under such
government.
Mr.. Wilson, of Massachusetts moved an
amendment, providing that the Legislature
should have the right to decide the ques-
ton of suffrage, whereupon it should be-
come part Of the law Of the State. Mr..
Wilson said the West was the child Of the
East, and the latter had no jurisdiction of
her. Last session it was uncertain what
would be the issue of the political contest,
and he then voted for the admission of
Colorado, for he felt It was important. His
vote should be on the side of freedom; but
the country had decided against the Presi
dent, and the necessity for that vote no lon
ger existed. The reconstruction party had
now two-thirds majority. He believed 1t
was proper to impose the condition he pro-
posed. In a few days the Legislature
could vote on the question, and in little
while the representatives could be here.