New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-01-17
POLITICAL.
MAINE.

MAINE.
RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMEND.
MENT-THE RECONSTRUCTION QUESTION
By rRLseRAPH THE TRIBUNE
AUGUSTA. Me-, Jan 16 1S67.-An interesting and
able discussion took place to-day in the Senats
Chamber when the subject of the proposed
Constitutional Amendment was taken from
the table The House had previously ratified
the Amendment by vote OF 1B TO ~.
Senator Boynton Of Somerset County in OPEN
ing the discussion, expressed his belief that the
Amendment is only step in the right direction and
not an utimaum for the admission of the rebellious
States. He took the ground that the governments
of those States had ceased to exist that when three
fourths of the States now IN the Union should ratify
the Amendment, it wOuld become part Of tho Con-
stutiOn Of the United States and that the lately re-
belliOus States should be reorganized under an Or
ganic law of Congress, with full guarantees for full
civil and political rights to all males over n years Of
age, and that Rebels should be allowed no political
Senator woodman of Cumberland contended that
the great question before the country was the ex-
tending Of the elective franchise TO the black man.
and declared that he would sooner trust him with the
ballot than put it in the hands Of member of John
sons Philadelphia Convention. Senator Crosby Of
PenobscOt believed that the real sentiment of the
people of Maine is in advance Of that contained in
the resolve passed by the Legislature of last year
giving equal civil and political rights 10 the black
man. 1t is in favor of giving the colored man social
equality, even to the extent of marriage. Senator
Caldwell of Hancock was opposed to incorporating
anything into the Constitution OF the United states
not in conformity with the Declaration Of Independ-
ence. Tic him the most important provision OF tina
Amendment was the assumption OF the Federal debt
and the reputation of the Rebel debt. He disap-
proved Of Incorporating anything into the organic
law as a provision which should disfranehise any
citizen except for crime. Senator Porter OF Pcnob-
SCOT who was the last speaker declared that the only
path of safety was universal suffrage
The speakers were unanimously Of the opinion that
the amendment did not go far enough in expressing
the sentiments of the loyal people OF Name, but, as
it was step in the right direction they should vote
was received with warm demonstrations Of approval
by members and the crowd of spectators on tue toor
and in the gallery. The Yeas and Nays being or
dered the Senate concurred with the action OF the
House, ratifying the amendment by o unanimous
vote. Two members were absent, who, on their re-
turn will be permitted to vote, and who viii record
their names in the affirmative-thus making the
Senate unit. The following preamble and resolve
was then offered by Senator BOyDton and on bis mo-
ton was laid on the table.
to insist that equal justice ana equal nDeryf
and equal ega protection the inaenabe rights OF ali
OF whatever race or color that there should DC no
restraint but those laws that are common 10 all QUEENS
and denial of political rights to male tzens OF the age
years upward, except on punishment OF treason
other crime; that loyal men must RUE our na.onas
destines: and uhereds treason and rebellion deprived
the people Of ten Of the lately rebelous States OF acyu
RsoSed That these States should now be reotganized
under authority Of the Congress OF the United States
through the action OF TIE loyal people OF these states,
under organic laws that fully ana secure tne
full benefit those great principles 10 a the people
thereof and withhold political power from traitors theres
before It is proper " readmt those states 70 een-
taiOn IN the General Government OF the united staes
AS sequel to the discussion that took place, an
order was passed calling for the repeal OF that portion
of the statues prohibiting in Maine the marriage OF
white person with an Indian negro or mulatto
Maine, true to her motto, takes the lead.