Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-03-15
BY TELEGRAPH.
MIDNIGHT DISPATCHES
LATEST FROM ALL QUARTERS
FRoMwAsHINGToN.

WASHINGTON, March H. - Trumbul
called up his bill to-day, which was real
at length.
Mr.. Drake said he had several amend
ments TO offer The first was to inser
in the fifth section that in the election
provided for in the preceding section, the
registered voters of each State shall vote
on the question of holding State Con
vention for forming Constitution, and
those in favor of holding a Convention
shall have written or-printed on the bal
lot " For Convention" and those OPP
posed, " Against a Convention" The
persons appointed to superintend the
election shall make a return to the COM
manding officer of the votes for and
against the Convention, and shall ascer-
tain the total vote, and if majority of
the whole number of those in any Stats
shall have voted for such Convention, it
shall be held, and if a majority voted
against it, then no Convention shall be
held.
Mr. Drake said he did not like the
provisions of the bill as represented on
the subject He did not think the indi-
yiduals elected members of the Conven-
ton should have it in their power to
make an official expression of what
chance declared to be the wishes of the
people, but that the people, by their
votes, should directly declare their
wishes on that subject.
Mr.. Trumbull said the Judiciary Com
mittee had considered proposition sim
liar to that now made BY Mr.. Drake, but
had considered it best as now presented.
Frauds we're effectually guarded against
by the provision that the Constitution
must be ratified by majority of the reg
istered voters, and be hoped the bill
would be passed as it came from the Ju.
dietary Committee, and if any amend
ments we're added, it would be incon-
gruous.
Mr. Drake replied by arguing the ne
cessity for guarding the Southern people
against the possibility of their betrayal
into the adoption of a constitution
against their wishes. The very men who
had misled these people during the last
six years, were now made to mislead
them again.
Mr.. Howard supported the amendment
as necessary to get a full expression of
the proper vote.
Mr.. Fessenden favored and Mr. Ere.
linghuysen opposed the amendment.
Mr. Morton was opposed to submitting
the question Of Convention or no Con.
vention to the rebels at all in the
beginning. If two-thirds of the lawful
voters Of the South were not in favor OF
the Convention, let them stay at home;
but let them not be able to defeat
the work of reconstruction. Let the
Convention be held and a Constitution
framed. 1t is enough for them to have
ayoice in ratifying the Constitution after
it is framed.
Mr.. Howard contsnded for the right Of
Congress, at such time and in such man.
ner as it saw st, to restore the rebel
States He was not in such a hurry to
complete the work as to admit a State
without full and fair expression of the
viii of its citizens. A minority govern
ment he said, could not exist in this
country, and if any State contained a
majority opposed to returning to the
Union be was for keeping It out until
dOOmsday, or until the people repenied
in dirt aud ashes Of their crimes.
After further debate the amendment
was rejected BY a vote Of II against a.
The United States Consul at Havana
informs the State Department that the
Spanish authorities are vigilsnt and
active all over the island to discover
md thwart any slave expedition. There
has been, and is still. q chain Of night
'suiinels throughout the coast Of Cuba,
guarding al points where landing could
axe place.