The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-03-15
SENATE. no 3..I'l

! to he the wishes Oh Tic pcOpfo, Duo VI"
the people themselves should, by thel
votes, directly declare their wishes OF
that subject.
Mr.. Trumbull said the Judiciary com
mittee had considered q proposition
similar to that now introduced by Mr
Drake, but had considered it was bes
as now in the bill. The frauds wer'
effectuallyguarded against by the provis
ions that the Constitution must be rat
flied by majority of the registered
voters. He hoped the bill would b.
passed as it came from the Judiciar.
committee. If many amendments wer
adopted it would be incOngruous.
Mr.. Drake replied, arguing the neces
sity for guarding the Southern people
against the possibility of betrayal int
the adoption of Constitution agains
their wishes. The very men who hat
misled this people during the last si'
years, were now ready to mislead then
again. r.-.r
Mr.. Howard supported the amend
ments as necessary to get full expires
sion of the popular vote.
Mr.. Fessenden favored, and MIR. Ere
Mr.. Morton was opposed to submit
ting the question of a convention or NJ
convention to the rebels at all, in the
beginning. If two-thirds of the Lawful
voters of the South were not in favor OF
a 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 formed. 1t is
quite enough for them to have voice
in ratifying the constitution after it is
formed. .-s.
Mr. Howard contentl.d for the right
of Congress Mt such time and in such
manner as it saw fit to restore the rebel
States. He was not in such a hurry to
complete this work as to admit State
without clear and fair expression of
the will of majority of its citizens;
minority government could not exist
in this country, and If any State con-
tanned a majority opposed to returning
to the Union he was for keeping it out
till dooms day, or till its people repent
ed in dirt and ashes of their crimes.
After further debate the amendment
was rejected-l7 against q.
Mr.. Drake moved to amend the 4th
section by adding the following: PRO
vided no such constitution shall be con-
sidered rs emitting State, for which
it is framed, to such representation I'M
less it iprovide. that at all elections for
State, county and municipal officers,
the electors shall vote by closed ballot,
and such mode of voting shall never be
changed without the assent of Con
gress."
Debate of some length followed, dur
ing which Mr.. Drake expressed the be-
lief that Congress have the right to
thrust out Senators and Representa-.
tives where State formed . constitu-
ton with this provision in it, and after
wards violate it. l.- s,~,s
Mr.. Morton said he would vote for
Brakes amendment if the clause refer
ring to the future were omitted, and
provided simply voting by closed bal
lot shall be provided for in the Consti-
tuition. He believed it very important
that the voting should be by closed
ballot, but doubted the right of Con
gress to impose q condition of this kind
which would be binding in the future
Mr.. Henderson opposed the amend
ment, and after further debate, and
without action the Senate went into ex'
ecutive session, and afterwards adjourn.
ed.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Covode asked leave to offer res
oluJion, Ieciting that the charges OF
irregularities in the Treasury Depart.
hor oh Inc
press and in the House, and that such
statements were calculated to cause
great, uneasiness in the country, and
providing for the appointment of Sc.
lect committee to investigate all such
charges, and report to the House the
present outstanding Government in.
debtedness as represented by currency,
bonds, compound interest notes, and
other promise, to pay, theldifferences
exhibited by books and accounts, and
the amount of our issues, if any, whether
compound interest notes or duplicated
bonds, have been presented, and if so,
what amount of such have been redeem
ed, and inquire into all other irregular
tiles.
Mr.. Chandler objected, as the clause
W
wide field of inquiry.
Mr.. Covode gave notice that he would
on Monday move to suspend the rules,
so as to offer the resolution. y II q
Mr.. Julian introduced a bill to fix the
time for the election of representa-
tives and delegates in Congress, and a
bill to constitute eight hours as day s
work for all mechanics and laborers en-
ployed by or on behalf of the Govern
ment. Referred to the Judiciary CON-
mittee.
Mr.. HOLMAN desired to have the lat
ter bill put on its final passage now,
but Mr.. Stevens objected.
Mr.. Fernando Wood presented petit
ton of Mayor Hoffman and citizens OF
New York, asking the. extension of the
same privileges to sailors honorabIy
discharged as is now extended by law to
sailors.
The speaker presented the reply OF
the Congressional printer to the inquiry
contained in the resolution of March
18th, respecting the purchase of print
ing paper.
Mr.. Scofield offered resolution in.
structing the committee on Elections to
report whether Mr.. Hunt or Mr.. Chilli
colt, claiming to be delegates from Col.
orado, are prima facia entitled to seats.
Mr.. Randall moved that when the
House adjourn to-day it be TO meet on
Monday next. Negativea.I dO1
Adjourned.
y = ~ ~ y q ~