Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-05-10
HOUSE,
WASHINGTON, May :.


A motion was made to postpone the
special order (being the constitutional
amendment reported by the recOnstruc.
ton cOmmittee) until the tax bill he dis
posed Of
Mr.. Stevens opposed the motion and it
was l0st-yeas 81, nays 50.
The banking committee was instructed
to inquire into the circumstances con
neCtrd with the failure of the Merchants
National Bank at Washington, and also
to report what legislation was necessary
to protect the public in such events.
The House then proceeded to consider
the special order, viz:
The joint resolution Of the reConstruc-
ton committee proposing an amend
ment to the constitution.
Mr. Stevens Supported it, although he
said it fell far short of his wishes, but
he believed it was all that could be OBJ
tanned in the present state OF public
opinion.
Mr. Blaine asked Mr.. Stevens if the
third section would not he considered
Objectionable as it excluded from the
right to vote for national officers all who
had voluntarily aided the rebellion, and
asked if the amnesty proclamation would
exempt such,
Mr.. Stevens admitted that the pardon
eXtinguished the crime and those fully
pardoned did not come under the opera
ton of the third section.
Mr.. Blaine said if such was the CON
struCtiOn, he should at a proper time
,,lr h,4
question should arise on this point.
This colIoquY occa>jpyd great interest
among the members
Mr., Garfield supported all Of it except
the third section, which Mr.. Blaine had
shown to be at least susceptible Of mis-
construction, and moved to amend the
motion to recommit by adding instruC-
tons to strike out that section.
Mr.. Thayer made similar remarks and
did not think the people Of the loyal
States would subscribe either to the JUS
tlce or eXnedienCy Of the third section.
MIR. NiblaCk said he would, when he
should have the opportunity. move to
amend the fifth section by adding to it
the following proyiso
Provided, That nothing contained in
this article shall be so construed az To
authorize Congress to regulate or con
troll elective franchise within any State
or to abrd9e or restrict the power Of
any State to regulate or control the same
within It's own jurisdiction except as in |
the third section hereof prescribed
Messrs. Boyer and Smith opposed and /
Kelley and Schenck supported the meas
ure.
Recess till evening Tor action on the
tax bill
There was pretty full attendance at
7 IL o'clock, when the House went into
of the whole. Mr. Dawes in
the chair, on the tax bill. The first sec
ton imposing a tax of five cents per ID.
on cotton being under consideration
ana the question being on Mr.. Lynch's
amendment, "the exception Of six hun
1red lbs i'll the hands of producers from
taxation" 1t was rejected.
Mr.. Epson moved to reduce the tax to
,hree cents.
MT Stevens opposed the amendment
Ihd favored tax Of eight cents.
Hooper moved to amend the amend
- LSNNCln5 VIC LGiA W TWO cents. |
Mr.. Morrill, opposed the amendment.
Mr.. Hooper's amendment was lost.
MIR. Boutwell, favored q reduction to
hree cents.
The subject was discussed by other
peakers at some length.
Mr.. Upson's amendment was rejected.
nd the tax on raw cotton remains at
We cents.
None but verbal or unimportant
mendments were offered to the second,
nird, fourth and fifth sections.
Mr.. Lynch moved to amend the
Ixth section so as to allow The draw
ack on cotton manufactures consumed
the codntry as well as on those ex. |
orted. Rejected. c
Mr.. Allison moved 70 strike out the
xth section, allowing a drawback on u
zported manufactures of cotton. Re-
Cted.
Adjourned, 2