The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1867-03-08
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
FORTIETH CONGRESS...FIRST SESSION.
WEDNESDAY, March 7, 1867.
GENATn


Mr.. Anthony moved that the Senate proceed to
| the election Of the standing committees.
Mr.. Anthony then offered list Of the commit
tees, which was adopted.
The Chair presented q communication from the
Secretary OF the Interior, asking appropriation
Of $50 900 for the appointment Of a commission to
treat with the Indian tribes, with a view to their
| removal farther westward.
Mr.. Conness introduced bill to aid In the con.
struction Of certain railroads In California. Re.
| ferred TO Committee on Public Lands.
Mr.. Wiley introduced q bill to authorize and di.
rect the sale Of the property Of the United States
At Harper's Ferry, Va Referred to Committee on
Military Affairs.
Mr.. Ross introduced a bill donating q portion Of
the Fort Leayenworth military reservation for
public roads. Referred to Committee on Military
| Affairs.
Mr.. Wilson introduced a joint resolution to pre-.
vent the sale or use Of liquors In the Capitol build
ing. Laid on the table.
II is as follows:
Resolped, DC, That II 10 hereby declared IN.
lawful for any person TO bring, or directly or In.
directly to cause to be brought into the Capitol
building, or into any building pertaining thereto
any spirituous or malt liquors, wine or cider, for
sale or use, or for any other purpose and any Of
hcer or employee Of the Government who shall In
| any manner violate or connive at, or oountenance
the violation Of this resolution shall be summarily
dismissed from office and II shall be the duty Of
| the Sergeants-at.Arms Of the Senate and Of the
House Of Representatives, under the supervision Of
the presiding officers Of their respective Houses to
enforce the provisions Of this resolution, under the
same penalties for neglect or refusal to do so.
Mr.. Wilson asked that the resolution be printed
and laid on the table.
The joint resolution providing for q recess from
Monday next until the 9Th Of May was received
from the House and laid on the table,
Mr.. Wilson introduced bill supplementary to
the act to provide for the efficient government
Of the rebel States, and to facilitate restoration
| II provides that the commanding general In each
district defined BY the act to provide for the moro
efficient government Of the rebel States shall cause
a registration to be made before the first day Of
September, 1857, in each county or parish Of the
States included in his district OF the male citizens
Of the United States 81 years Of ago or upwards
resident in each county or parish, which registra
tion shall include only those persons who are quail
fed to vote for delegates by the "Act to provide
for the more efficient government Of the rebel
States" and who shall have taken and subscribed
to the following oath:
l do hereby soemnly swear that am sincerely
and earnestly attached to the Union and Govern.
ment Of the United States that will steadfastly
support the Constitution Ind obey the laws OF the
United States, and that will, to the best Of my
ability, engage all others TO such support and ODE
dience-so help me God.
The second section provides that when the regis
tration Is completed, the Commanding General
shall, on not less than 30 days notice, cause an
election to be held for delegates to 4 convention
| for the purpose Of amending or framing con.
stitution for said State, and Of firmly reestabish'
ing civil government loyal to the Union and pass
ing all neodful ordinances for putting said eonsti
tuition and government into operation.
The third section provides that the convention
shall be called the basis Of representation Of the
HouIe Of Representatives Of each State.
The fourth section provides that the Command.
ing General shall appoint loyal registers and cleo
ton judges, the returns to DO made to HIM and
within 60 days from proclamation announcing the
names Of the delegates they shall assemble at time
and place, to be designated by him, and the con-
stitution agreed by them shall be submitted for
adoption or rejection to the persons registered I'M
der the provisions of this act.
Section i've provides that II the constitution 10
ratified by majority Of the qualified electors, the
president Of the convention shall transmit q copy
Of the same to the President Of the United States
who shall submit 1t to Congress, If then In session,
and IL not, Immediately upon the next assembling
Of Congress, and IL ratified by Congress, Senators
and Representatives from such State shall be ad-
mitted as provided in section Eve Of tho act to pro-
vide more efficient government for the rebel
States.
Section six provides that tho duties hereby i'm.
posed on the commanding general Of each district
and powers conferred may with his consent DO per-
formed and exercised by the acting governor Of any
State who shall take oath faithfully to perform and
keep the same
The bill was referred to the Committee on tho
Judiciary.
Mr.. Cragin introduced the following which was
70 tno SOmmltteo On tue
Joint resolution proposing an amendment to the
Constitution Of tho United States, which provides
that no person elected President Vice President,
who has once served President, shall afterwards
be eligible to either Office
Mr.. Sumner introduced resolutions declaring
certain further guarantees required In the recon.
structOn Of the rebel States:
ReSOlusd, That Congress in declaring by positive
J legislation that 1t possesses paramount authority
over the rebel States, and in prescribing that no
| thaF hall ha uAaA he al
franchise by reason Of race, color, previous con-
dition Of seryitude, has begun the work Of recon.
: struction and has set an example to itself
-, Second. That there are other things remaining
to be done which are clearly within the power Of
Congress as the elective franchise and It is the
duty of Congress to SEQ that these things are not
left undone.
Third. Resoiced, That among tho things re.
naming to be done are the Eve following:
First. Tho existing governments which have
! been declared to DO illegal must be vacated, so
that they can have no agency in the work of re-
construction, and will cease to exercise pernicious
influence.
Secondly. Provisional governments must be con.
stituted rs temporary substitutes for the illegal
governments, with special authority to superintend
the transition to permanent governments, republi.
can in form.
! Thirdly As legality beyond suspicion must be
the basis of permanent governments, republican in
form, every possible procaution must be adopted
against rebel agency or influence in the formation
Of these governments.
FOurthly. As the education of TIE people is es.
sentiSl to the national welfare, and especially to
the development Of those principles Of justice and
morality which constitute the foundation OF repub
lcan government, and .ns according to the census
an immense proportion of the people In the rebe
States, without distinction of color, cannot read
and write, therefore public schools must DO estab
lished for the equal good of all
+ Filthy Not less important than education II
the homestead, which must be secured to the freed
l. men, so that at least every head of family may
q have piece of land.
RESOLVED, That all these requirements are in the
nature Of guarantees to be exacted by Congress
without which the United States will not Obtain
that security for the future which is essential to
just reconstruction.
I Mr. Sumner asked to proceed to the considera
s ton of the resolutions, but Mr. johnson objected
s Mr.. Henderson introduced a joint resolution pro
q posing an amendment to the Constitution Of tn
4 United States, that State shall deny or abridg
to its citizens the right to hold office on account
: race or color Referred TO tho Committee on tn
Judiciary.
Mr.. Henderson introduced q bill to pay bount.
: to certain Missouri troops who served during thre
years. Referred to the Committee on Militar
, | Affairs.
Also, bill to build military and postal raWa
c from Galveston Texas to Fort Gibson, 40.