Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1866-02-03

etlaua1Doal Amemauemn.
In conversation With Issdiag Senator. .
~ Or two sises. In Washingsoa, P.esiien,
Crimson said that hs doubted the propriety
taoy further amendments to the Consti-
alton 1t the present time. He further said,
~ learn ffem . special corrsspondsnt Of
Ne New Yosk World, that one great amend.
tent had already been made, BY which
avery had forever been abolished within
10 limits Of the United States, and . na-
ooal guarantee thus given that that insti-
ition should never again exist in che land
'roposiuons 70 amend the Constitution
ere becoming - numerous % preambles
nd resolutions at town meetings called to
onsider the most ordinary questions con-
ected With the administration of local az
Mrs. All this, in bis opinion, had . tsnden
' to diminish Tie dignity and prestige At.
ached to the Constitution Of the country,
nd TO lessen tho respect and confidence Of
he people in their great charter for free
om. II, however, amendments are 10 be
'ads to the Constitution changing the basis
representation and taxation. land be did
'ot deem them It oil necessary at the pres.
Mt time) be knsW Of none better than
imple propoSltioh embraced in . few lines
aaking in each State the number Of quail
led voters The basis Of representation, and
be value Of property the basis Of direct tax
ton. Such . proposition could be em.
raced in the following terms:
Representatives shall be appointed
mong tho several States which may he in.
luded within this Union, according 10 the
aa'ber Of qualified votes in each State -
'irect taxes shall b appurtioned or
svsral States which may b.: long tn
l this Union, accords- included with
axable propert- ..sg to the value Of d
"An y in each State"
= amendment Of this kind would, il
- opinion, place the basis Of represents
zion and direct TAXATION upon correct prin
ciples. The quali6 d voters were for tn
must part men who were subject to dral
and enlistment. when il was necessary I
rspel invssioa. suppress rebellion, and que
domestic violence and instruction. The,
risk their lives, shed their blood. and peri
their al to uphold The government, and Civ
protection, security, and value to property
Il seemed but just that property shout
compensate for the benefits thus conferrc
BY dcfraying the expense incident 10 it
protection and enjoyment. Such an amend
ment the President also suggested woul
remove from Congress all issues in referenc
to the political equality Of the races. l
would leave the States to determine abso
lutely the qualifications Of their own voter
With regard to color; and thus the numbe
Of representatives to which they would b,
satitled in Congress wesld depend upon tn
number upon which they conferred III
right Of sudrrge. The President, in thi
connection. expressed the opinion that tn
agitation Of the negro franchise question !,
che District Of Columbia At this time wa
the mere entering wedge to the agitation o
the questi0 thruelput the States and va
ill.timed, uncalled for, and calculated to d.
great harm. He believed that Il would en-
gender snmity, contention, and strife BE-
tween the two races, and led to . war be
tween them, which would result In great IN
Jury to 18th, and the certain exterminatio
q the negro population. Precedence, b
thought, should be given to more importer
end urgent matters, legislation upon whic
essential for the sestosssi6a Of tho Unior
~ peaos Of the country. and the prosperit
q the people,"