New-York tribune., 1867-03-15


Drake Harlan, Morrill, Me). Thayer,
Ferry, Howard, MOttlil " Ll' llp'o"'
NAYS. o..
BuckalCr DIxOs, Morton, Tr,imbull
Cole. DoomrTLE. PATTERSON, XAS ;,v WISkLE'
COnknG, Frelglmyson, Ramsey, lren,W Wliams
eSPpsS' cST6si isil%Ss henderson Sherman, sSST ''
Cragin. Hendricks Sprague,
Mr.. DRAKE moved TO amend the fourth section by
adding the following prOvisO: .
Prordcd, that no such Constitution shall be considered
as emitting the State for which is framed to such rep
resentaton unless provide that at all elections for state
closed ballot and mode OF voting shall be
changed without the assent OF Congress; ho ,,os
interrupted By Mr. C0NkLN Rep n ~ VINO hhdlhSG; thsy
should insert this provision and after their representa-
NGISS 2 e ESH S Si %a T5au n5a ubs lSs
provision ordering rird voting, what WAS MI
Drake what was Congress going to do about bt,,uon
with this provision in it and aftcrward violate it. they
will have violated an express stipulation In their Cons
tuition and an express contract with ths 20 hn
the state should not have Senator or
Mr. CoNKIING-That is. you would turn them out
Mr.. DRAKE.CcrtaIny without momentS hest.,ion. POI
Mr. CONKLING had only TO say that would be rather
awkward thing 20 do In = good many respects. u
would DE especially awkward IN view Of the fact that me
Supreme had repeatedly decided in one case orie
mating In Alabama for instance, any such contract
would be absolutely and utterly void for all purposes
that Election he strengthened Ia the belief he had
exr n being first questioned that Congress would
haI thrust out Senators and Representatives.
una. gcuinstances mentioned by him. IL the time
ever test the question, II We had mel OF nerve III
the 81. they would carry out this idea. He came
from where there wv, Were $ no q, RADICALS
Mr.. TRUMBULI. replying TO Mr. Drake said he had not
such opinion Of the people either North or south as
10 deny them open ballot. To do 40 would De 10 en-
courage fraud and ballot suing without securing any
compensation good for such an act. ~
Mr.. FEssENDEN preferred not 10 put such provisions
n This b but 10 leave all such matters TO he considered
when Constitutions OF hose States are presented 10
Mf. CoNKLISG, having sent for volume Of IIowaris
Reports read from OF the decisions TO show tn
state ceased have any binding effect when the state
became sovereign and assumed its iuHe,3 h"r a. ,S
provision. II 1t could be mbcdded IN thc CONSTITUTIONS
OF the people 1t designed to protect, ,,
Mr WILSON rep Mass said that et The risk OF being
this amendment They had had some experience on thls
subject IN Massachusetts; they passed Secret Baiot
peope and was finally modified 10 tolerate Instead
Of compelling such way OF voting. He thought ,1o ne
out y the Gnion, rahGT thah sSdeavOrng get them
back.
Mr. DOOLITTLE johnson, Wis., believed It to bo un-
constitutional TO impose any such condition on future
state. All such matters were left to the states by the
Mr. MORTON CRep, Ind said he would vote for sr
brakes amendment the clause referring TO tho fture
were omitted, and II provided simply that voting by
closed ballots shall be provided for In the COnsutntos
by closed ballot but he doubted the right OF Congress to
impose condition Of this KIND which should be binding
III the future.
Mr.. HENDERSON Rep. MOI spoke against the amend
ment.
Mr BUCKALEw Dem. Pa thought the advantages
Of voting by ballot were over estimated The only result
obtained by 1t 10 deceive others IL idle to at
tempt 10 make the emplOye Independent Of his employer
by this IL would afford protection. He OBJ
jected TO the attempt this to establish mmuabe
principles in Constitutions. He believed 1t policy to
subject Constitutions periodical reyisions and opporu.
mites for reform. He hoped 70 see the day when votes
would be registered and kept for Examination -
Mr.. CORBETT Rep, Oregon, did not believe the
amendment OF Mr. Drake would accomplish the purposes
for which IL was intended. He spoke briefly against IT,
At the conclusion OF Mr. COrbets remarks the Senate,
pending the consideration OF Mr.. brakes amendment,
went into Executive Session. and after adjourned