The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-03-09
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
WASHINGTON, March 8, 1866.
SENATE.

Il oEHAlcIs
Mr.. Van Wrinkle presented the joint
resolution of the West Virginia Legis-
lature asking Congress to pay the wal
claims of that State, growing out OF
equipping the army and paying of the
militia. Referred to the Military Com
mittee.
Mr.. Morgan, from the Committee on
Finance, reported back the petition OF
the Union League Club asking that
Congress appropriate for the relief OF
Mrs. Lincoln the amount of salary for
the full term of Office for which he was
elected. Mr.. Morgan asked that the
committee be asked to act on the sub
ject.
Mr.. Henderson introduced the fol-
lowing:
ResotUed, LIST. That the late rebellion
was a contest between freedom and
slavery to perpetuate human bondage
against the influences of a progressive
civilization which, it was feared, would
soon manifest itself in the political &C
ton of the Government and portion
of the people of eleven States attempt
ed to withdraw themselves and their
States from the operation of these in
fluences.
I'd. When the laws were resisted in
this attempted secession, it was the
province of Congress to provide for
calling forth the military to execute the
laws of the nation. When instruction
was inaugurated Congress alone had
power and was charged with the duty
to suppress 1t.
Sd. Whether this insurrection in
these eleven States has been suppress
ed or not, is to be determined by Con-
gross and not by the Executive alone.
It is for Congress to decide not only
whether armed resistance to the ma
tional authority yet exists, but wheth-
hnry hmm
removed, and if not removed, it is for
Congress to adopt such constitutional
measures as will remedy existing evils,
and prevent, if possible, the recur-
renee ofsuch n war in the future.
4th. In this attempted secession the
people of these eleven States suffered
the political connection, established by
their State governments with the Fed
eral government, to be severed, and in
this condition of things the States them
selves are without such republican
forms of government as the one con-
templated in the Constitution, and it
becomes the duty of the United States
and not of the Executive, TO guarantee
such forms to the people of these States
glance to the Federal Government and
willingly transferred that allegiance to
a hostile defacto government, have, as
far as they were able, become altenated
and demoralfzed, and it is for Congress
to determine TO what extent they have
succeeded in such efforts and what
rights they are now entitled to as citi-
zens of the United States.
5th. That while recognizing in full
force the great truth that the people of
these States should not be taxed with
out representation in Congress, we cam
not forget that we are now asked to ac-
cept, as republican, in form of State
~ tS.I. Il N.nIf to tn
fully one half of their entire people,
and yet inflict upon them the burdens
of taxation.
9th. That tho Committee on Recon-
struction are hereby requested to en-
quire into the expediency and proprie-
ty of providing by law for the reorgan-
ization and establishment of State gov
ernments in seeded States, on the prin-
ciples contained in this resolution.
The above were ordered to be printed.
MIR. Morrill, made IA speech in favor
of the amendment.
Mr.. Wilson approved tho pending
measure, but feared it would be defeat
ed. He opposed the forcing of univer-
sal suffrage upon the States by law. A
lengthy debate here ensued between
Messrs. Wilson and Yates. Mr.. Yates
said the position assume is this, that
before the adoption of the constitution
al amendment the States had II right
under the Constitution and under the
decision of the Supreme Court of the
United States to disrranchise the color
ed people. Colored men were consid-
cred subject race, not a portion of the
people, not part of the sovereignty,
but by the constitutional amendments
they are free now. The question is
whether with this amendment before
us we will put into this amendment n
new amendment by which these States
may disfranchise these persons alto
gether.
read from the opinion of Attorney
General Bates, that political rights and
political power were essentially differ
emit; that the former belonged to all cit
liens alike and were in the very nature
of citizenship, but the latter does not
belong to all citizens alike.
Mr.. Wilson continued his speech at
some length. The Senate at 4 O'Clock
went into executive session and soon
after adjourned, having previously re-
solved vote should be taken to-mor-
row at 4 o'clock, p. m.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Higbie obtained leave to offer a
bill granting the right of way to ditch
and canal owners in California over
public lands. 1t was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Ways and