New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-01-14

TI0N-SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD.
BIZ TELEGRAPa TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 10, 1867
Mr.. Thaddeus Stevens will on Tuesday call UP in
the House his bill known as the Enabling Act"
and will endeavor to press it to vote on the follow
ing day. large number of petitions from lOyalists
living in the several Southern States have been
received by various members of the House. asking
the adoption of Mr.. Stevens's bill a basis for the
return of their States into the Union. A petition
from number of leading loyalists of North Carolina
has been received by Mr. Stevens, in which the
petitioners set forth that they prefer his tSte-
vcnss) bin Ia the one prepared by Gov. Holden
and Mr.. Pool, and which was presented to
Congress before the holidays. On Tuesday Mr. Ash
ley will present bin agreed upon by the Territorial
Committee as a substitute for Mr.. Stevenss bill. Mr..
Asheys bill provides for the total adjustment of the
present local governments Of the Southern States,
and declares all laws enacted in pursuance of said
State governments null and void. IL calls on all
male citizens above the age of twenty-one, who can
take an oath that they would never have aided or
allotted Rebellion after the 4th of March, 1864, and
would have complied with the requirements of the
Presidents proclamation Of the Sth of December,
1863. had an opportunity been offered them,
and who can swear they never i'll nsed
Union soldiers and will henceforth bear true aUegi-
auce to the Government Of the United States, 20
organize constitutional III
tive States 1t calls for conventions in each of the
Southern States, to he composed of delegates who
can swear they never voluntarily bore arms against
the United States or aided or abetted rebellion in
any way These conventions are TO determine If
their respective States will accept the terms proposed
by Congress- and if they agree to do So shall appoint
n commission of their members TO provide for the
holding elections in the States TO adopt new constu-
TONS elect Officers and prepare them for admission
into the Union. II is provided that these State Con-
situtiOns shall be Republican, and not repngnant TO
the Constitution of the United States and the prnc
pies of the Declaration Of Independence 1t sfurher
provided that the Constitution of each State shall
contain the following:
First That all persons In This State free aud equal
before the law 30 that no man can hold another as
slave. and all laws enacted by this state shall De Impair
tia without regard TO or former condition of ser'
second That this state shall never assume or pay any
debt Obligation contracted In aid OF usuTecuOn or of
against the United States claim for the loss or
emancipation Of any slave 80 ,,, ,.,
well organized system Of free schools for all children in
the state between six and twenty ycars OF age from
Fourth That no person who has held ofcc clNlnltay
naval under either the recent revolutionary Govern
ments Confederate shall De allowed 10 hold any
office of honor profit under said state Government,
until the Legislature thereof by special act in each case
aud by two-thlrd vote, shall have granted full and
conditional release from the disability herein imposed
Fh: In case Of rebellion against the United states by
citizens Of this State, Congress shall have power to de;
sad rebellion is ended and the State Ii thoroughly purged
OF dsOy alty.
These Constitutions must he ratified by majority
of the people of the States, who can take the pre-
scribed oaths Of loyalty to tho Government II is
further provided that after the ratification Of said
Constitutions Senators and Representatives 90 Con
gress shall be elected but Senator or Representa-
tive shall be admitted such until Con
gress shall have declared these States entitled
thereto IL is further provided that If these
States decline to accept the terms proposed by this
bill they will submit TO Congress for acceptance,
modification, rejection, plan OF restoration pro
Niding that said plan recognize the Constitution of
the United States the supreme law of the land,
that the State Constitutions shall guarantee 10 all per
sons freedom and equality before the law, and sui
frage shall be impartial. without regard 10 race or
color and that no war debt or compensation
for emancipation of slaves be assumed by
said States or claims be brought for such
against the United States. 1t is also
provided that all laws judicial decisions usages of
said States, which recognize or sustain any form of
slavery or which exclude the testimony Of persons
of color, OF which deny the right of trial by juf ~
which uke uus aisjne.l.n because q race or color
former condition of servitude shall be utterly void
within the United States. II sfurther proUdedthat
the Provisional Governments of these States can sus-
pend the writ of habeas corpus in case OF resistance
of authority, and call on Government for aid pro-
vision is made TO divide Texas into two States before
readmission into the Union.
The House Judiciary Committee will finish the in
vest CATION p regard to the Maryland slave case by
the middle Of the week, when they will proceed with
the Impeachment investigation. The idea which is
attempted to De conveyed that the Committee do not
intend to pursue this matter and probe the conduct
of the President to the bottom is entirely erroneous
Congress is in earnest and so is the Committee, as
will be fully shown before the matter ends
1t is the intention of the Supreme Court TO render
its decision in the test oath tomorrow If Judge
Grier who has been confined to his residence by
severe illness is able to be present on the bench
The opinion of the Supreme Court of the United
States to be delivered tomorrow, is based on the
question presented in the parte Of Mari of
Louisiana aud Garland of Arkansas, who having par
ticpated in the Rebellion ask to be admitted ut the
bar of that tribunal involving more particularly tho
constiutionality of the law extending to attorneys
IN the United States Courts the provisions of the act
Of July 1862 which requires the test oath Of civil,
military and naval officers, with penalties for per
jury.
The HOUSE Committee Banks and Currency
have special meeting tomorrow for the purpose OF
considering the proposition submitted by Mr. Randall
of Pennsylvania, 10 do away with the present
National Banking system, and substitute in lieu
thereof the Legal Tender Treasury Notes. The
scheme meets with favor in both Houses, and it
will have strong party to advocate it whenit comes
out of the Committee Some OF the ablest financial
men in New-York, Boston, and othor places have
addressed letters to the Committee urging its adop
ton.
The argument before the House Indian Commit
tee in regard to frauds in awarding contracts for
Indian goods was opened Yesterday by Mr.. Davis