Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-06-05
VOL. XX-----NO. 13l.

! eral, in response to resolution adopted
some months ago, calling for information
as to the cost, prscticability, ETC., Of estab-
fishing national system of telsgraphlDg
in connection with the Postofice Depart
ment. Referred to the Committee on the
subject of National Telegraph system.
Mr.. HENDRICKS, from the Committee
on Naval Affairs, reported resolution TO
restore Lieut.. Commander Richard NJ. Law,
of the U. s. navy, to the active list; which
was passed.
At l o'clock the reconstruction resolu-
tions were taken up. The question was
upon the adoption of the following amend
ment:
States, incurred in suppressing instruction,
or in defense of the Union, or for the pay
ment of bounties, or Pensions incident
thereto, shall remain inviolate. ----
Mr.. HENDRICKS took the floor and de-
livered speech against the pending propo-
sition. He commenced with a review of
the proceedings by which the measure was
agreed upon in the Senate caucus, ehaEac-
terizing them as most extraordinary and
unusual. He did not believe the people
would endorse any such caucus proceed
ings. Thoy would demand to know why
such proposition was adopted and pre-
Se0Le1 Ilen IOr raIlQc9IlOQ.
He did not believe that the present was
the proper time for amending the Constitu-
ton, eleven States being denied represents
ton in Congress. The second section, he
said, was unjust to the South and West. If
it was proposed to change the basis of re-
presentation in the House why not change
it in the Senate also? This was prohibited
by the Constitution but the power that
made could unmake. It was manifestly
unjust TO the Northwest that the six New
England States had equal power in the
Senate with the six great States of the West.
The third section was penal and contrary
to course dictated by wisdom and mag
nanimity to fallen foe.
The fourth and fifth sections were un-
necessary as the national debt would never
be repudiated and the rebel debt would
never be paid.
He characterized the whole measure, not
a necessity of the Government, but merely
a part of a political programme.
At the close of Mr.. HENDRICKS re-
marks the pending gsmsndmentwas adopted.
Certain verbal amendments to the 9th sec
tion were then agreed to.
Mr.. VANWINKLE submitted an amend
ment, as a new section, that every person,
mentioned or described in section of this |
article, who shall have engaged in insur- |
reetion or rebellion against the United /
States, and against whom no prosecution |
for treason has been instituted within -
years, shall at the expiration Of that time,
upon taking an oath to support the Consti-
tuition of the United States, be exempted |
from all penalties and liabilities for such /
participation in the rebellion.
Mr.. DAVIS demanded the yeas and nays
upon this amendment. The following was
she result:
YEAs-Messrs. Cowan, Davis, Doolittle,
Guthrie, Hendricks, Riddle, VanWinkle,
md Willey-s. e.-
NAYs-Chandler, Clark, Conness, Cragin,
Edmunds, Fessenden, Foster, Grimes, Har
is, Henderson, Howard, Howe, Kirkwood,
Lane, of Indiana, Morgan, Nye, Poland,
Pomeroy, Ramsey, Sherman, Stewart, Sum-
ler, Wade, Williams, Wilson and Y ates--26.
So the amendment was disagreed to.
Mr.. HENDERSON offered the following:
Strike out of section 2, of the proposed
the following: But whenever
II any State, the elective franchise shall be
lenied to any portion of its male inhabi-
ants, being citizens Of the United States
lot less than 81 years ofage, or in any way
,bridged, except for participation in rebel
ion or other crime, the basis of represents
ion in such State, shall be reduced in the
proportion which the number of such male
itizens shall bear to the whole number of
male citizens not less than 81 years Of age
q such State, and insert in lieu thereof the
ollowing:
Excluding also Z of such persons as have
,een discharged from involuntary servitude
" any proclamation of the President of the
United States or by amendment of the
Constitution since the year 1851, and to
Thom sthe elective franchise may be de-
led" ----
This was disagreed to.
Mr.. D0OLITTLE offered the following as
substitute for the second section " After
he census to be taken in the year 1870, and
ach succeeding census, Representatives
hall be appOrtioned among the several
Tnion according to the number in each
f age, qualified by the laws thereof to |
ranch of its legislature; and direct taxes
hall be apportioned among the several
tates according TO the value of real and
ersonal taxable property situated in each
tate and not belonging to the State or the
Tnited States"
Mr.. Doolittle explained the effect Of such
n amendment as he proposed upon the
representation of the different States, read
ng table recently published on this sub
eet.
Mr.. POLAND took the floor 10 address the
enate at length on the pending proposition,
ut gave way to Mr.. D00LITTLE, who at
hree o'clock moved an executive session,
Thich was held, and the Senate soon after
djourned.