New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-03-21

Hsuse-Re marks Of the Spectators
From Our Special Correspondent.
AUSTIN Feb. 26, 1866
This has been day of unusual excitement in
the Convention, the House being startled by an avail
anche Of Northern Radicssm in the shape of report
in favor OF negro suffrage. The Committee 10 which
the subject Of suffrage had been referred, made ma
ory report readopting the provision OF the present
Constitution, which reads thus:
Every free male person who shall have attained the age Of
II yea and who snail be citizen OF the United states ano
election and the s,t six months within me eV.5
city town. in which he oher' to vote tInosns n h
Africans ard descendants OF Africans excepted snah ee
deemed q qualified elector, &c.
As member Of the Committee. Mr. Degener, the
German delegate from San Antonio objected to this re-
port and IN the Committeeman, made several PROPOSE
tions to amend IT, 80 as give the elective franchise to
colored men, Immediately or in the future but all bis
endments were rejected. and, finally the Committee
made the above report t, the Convention Mr.. Degener
alone protesting against it, and promising minority
report This announcement caused considerable e1'
citement within and without the Convention and great
curiosity was manifested know the character OF the
forthcoming document All supposed II would DC RAD
ca iDasmnoh negro suffrage In his district was tue
issue upon which he was elected but rev persons cup,
10 make an elaborate report In defense or measure so
odious to Texans. Today however. the report was
read, dispeing all doubts as to its real character.
The scene in the House during the reading OF tne
document was novel and somewhat exciting. Inc
COnve nton anxious TO hear IT. and requested MI.
Degener occupy the rosirnm IN 'front.' OF the Spese
chair and read from the Clerks desk so that ne might
be seen and heard by ALL Gov. Hamilton the secretary
Of State the Attorney General and other State oclas
beside number Of military officers, occupied seats
within the bar Of the House and appeared to be m
tensey interested in the proceedings The usual Dnsi-
ness Of reading newspapers and writing letters was
entirely suspended and the delegates sat IN profound
silence listening To the eloquent words OF the noble
foreigner who in defiance Of them and OF pubic senti-
ment thus teaching them the theory OF ther own
the American system Of government and rebukingt
for not reducing IL to practice and thus rendering JUS
tice 10 the race they had so long oppressed
Once during the reading. the silence was broken by
some member requesting that certain oreloe passage
again be read The reading OF the report 9e S con
time not q word was spoken the members appeared 10
be undecided as to what action should be taken. Al
length Gen. Davis "a Radical Union man moved ina.
the be printed and referred TO the Legislative
Committee This was opposed By some opposition
member who did not believe the State should pay Tor
printing arSrm,nts upon such subject Another adj
mired the bravery Of the gentleman from San Antonio
and compimented him for the learning and ability dis
PLAYED by his report. but instead OF printing IT, he
thought il should be treated with contempt ana hdg
nifty Finally action was taken. the President de-
cjdne that il mus, lie over. under the rules Of the
House.
The remarks Of spectators were somewhat sugges-
tive. A rough O0klDH Dut IOyh oiu lchhn' "hVoc iu
rowed checks were m0istened BY tears which he vany
tried to suppress said in underone and quvering
voice "Ithank God have lived to see TINS day.
This 10 indeed q new epoch in our history. 1es
for we have never had liberty OF speech IN Texas.
Damn that Dutchmani We ought to take him out
and hang him." Lets go right in there ana
shoot hsrn" What an able document 1T is
perfectly invincible and not point can be over
ihrownS "He win get Niger suffrage before he gets
ont OF Austin" What bold man he is - He's the
nobest Roman Of them ALL" "A year ago no man
conld live in Texas and utter such sentimenfs I've
seen hundred men hung because they were suspected
n. being Abotionists and TO let this fellow i've Is
Too a IN bad" "Only let the Yankee soldiers get
ont OF Texas and wen show these niger worshipers
what can be done &c. &c.
The majority report will be passed by at least two.
third majority, as will be the constitutional snendnen.
In cases where they are personally interested. IN den
snce Of the recent Of Congress to the contrary
--~> ~ - TEXAS,