Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-07-12
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
Senate.

Senate.
WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE reconstruc
| ton bill was taken up.
| Mr.. Howard withdrew his amendment to
the sixth section. In the course of his re-
marks on the subject, said he had pro-
badly as we'll leave the district commanders
| to determine matters contained in his
| amendment.
Mr.. Howe moved to amend the fourth
section by adding proviso that any person
heretofore appointed by district COM
manders to exercise the functions of civil
Office, may be removed by district COM
manders, or by the commanding General
of the armies. He said, that without this
proviso it might be thought that district
| commanders had no power TO remove men
once appointed.
Mr.. Edmonds moved to amend by adding
| the word heretofore to amendment as amend
ed. Agreed to.
Mr.. Drake moved to amend by adding
an additional section, to the effect that no
Rebel State shall be entitled to representa-
ton in Congress unlessit shall contain in its
constitution provisions that such State shall
forever remain a member of the American
Union; that every citizen owes paramount
allegiance to the United States, and that no
law shall be passed by any State in contra
vention of authority of the United States or
in subversion of it.
Mr.. Trumbull moved as point of order
that under the resolution of Friday no
subject could be introduced not strictly
pertaining to the reconstruction bill as
passed at the last session. This was new
subject. Mr.. Drake was addressing the
Senate when several members objected
that point of order was not debatabIe.
Mr.. Trumbull repeated his point, that CO.
operation in voting new plan of recon-
structiOn was not admissible.
Mr.. Drake said this was no new plan. II
was simply to provide that 10 new State
shall be admitted till its constitution shall
be made to confirm to the amended system.
Mr.. Trumbull thought thatas in the orig
inal bill the Senate should declare this
amendment in order by an affirmative vote.
Do not let us go away and leave these miser-
able fooleries, and have our monstrosity of
States rights to return again to plague us.
Mr.. Buckalew, though be was opposed
to the amendment, believed in point of
order that it was admissible
The Chair decided that the amendment
was out of order, under a resolution of
Friday.
Mr.. Drake appealed from the decision of
the chair, and addressed the Senate to
show his amendment in order.
Mr.. Pomeroy thought the best way to
reach it vas through suspension of the
rules of Friday.
Mr.. Drake said he should make this
motion if defeated in his appeal from the
chair
Mr.. Sumner contended that the amend |
ment was in order. In the course of his |
remarks he said he reserved to himselfthe |
right TO acquiesce in such guarantee as he |
thought necessary to secure a republican |
form Of government.
Mr.. Pomeroy did not believe that Con-
gress had the right to ask any additional |
guarantee.
Mr.. Sumner 1t was distinctly announced |
in the reconstruction bills that the constitu- |
tions of the Southern States should be sub |
mitted 10 Congress for approval.
Mr.. Pomeroy said that meant the right |
to revise the constitutions to see if they |
were in accordance with the reconstruction |
bills.
The question was then taken up.