The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-16
- VT VI WWII NVs
Senate.


Senate.
The Reconstruction bill was again taken up
Mr.. STEWART resumed the floor. He con-
ended that the Blaine amendment was IN perfect
narmony with the action of Congress at the last
session. IL was much TO be regretted that the south
gretted that they had not gone farther and Inclu-
ded the right Of suffrage TO all men. There was
no justification for the pending bill except imme-
tention TO the severity Of its provisions. There
Was no restraint upon the will OF the military
commander 10 be appointed under the bill. The
innocent might be punished with the guilty He
would not vote for the bill unless something like
care If he stood alone. He would not vote for the
Dill unless there some road open TO escape left
. the southern people; what more 1S 9Suld the Sc.
PmendmenH He wanted but one thing more and
hat was universal suffrage.
Mr. HOWARD objected to the Blaine amend
ment because itrecoRnzed the validity of the State
government of the rebel States. The amendment
was incompatible with the bill The principle OF the
bill, said Mr.. Howard, is that the rebel States have
4been conquered as result of a war waged against
the United States. hold that, subject TO the Oon-
titution OF the United States and the duty of nit
mately restoring the rebel States to their former
standing under the Consultation, the government
of the United States has the same power in refer
ence TO these conquered communities as 10 would
have had had they been conquered territory,
Mr.. Howard continued his remarks in a similar
strain in opposition to the proposed amendment.
Mr. WILLIAMS repeated the hope that no
amendment would be adopted, stating as his rea-
sons those given in his fret speech this morning.
Vie would prefer such a proposition as that in the
Blaine amendment to be offered and passed inde-
Mr.. STEWART again took the floor, and depre-
ated the establishment of military powerIin the
outhi without such an amendment TO the bill as
WAS now before the Senate
Mr.. MORRILL, replied to Mr.. Stewart, advert
ng to the condition OF the south and the necessity
or military protection to loyal people there. He
a#was for the Military bill, with the amendment or
It, and he was for It at the earliest prsGS ;S
amendment, for he was willing to tndorse its
terms. He believed them to be just, but he could
NJ ha ma "a.
kgarded as a sine qua non to voters for the bill.
" Mr.. HENDERSON inquired if the President of
he United States was not commandments Of
Mr.. HOWARD said that was a title conferred en-
Mr.. HENDERSON asked If Mr.. Howard knew
Rwhether General Grant would carry out the views
Mr.. HOWARD SSS ID replied H that At he had no informa-
ton on this subject, and could only speak from the
record Of General Grant. He felt satisfied in be-
lleying, however, that U. s. Grant would do his
Mr.. HENDERSON said he would like to know
what General Grant regarded as his duty in such
matters. He would like to know what Gen. Grant
hought of this attempt to take the entire control of
he army away from the President and give it to
Mr.. YATES, of Illinois, spoke in favor of the
|bill and amendment
~. M, and gave notice that he would expect the
Senate TO sit until it passed the bill. The recess
twas taken.
Mr.. WILSON introduced the following, which
II bill proposing the conditions upon which the
States Intely in rebellion may resume their prac-
#ucal relations to the government OF the United
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre-
&sentatives of the United States OF America in Oon
gress assembled, That the fourteenth article of
amendment TO the Constitution having been duly
tatified by the Legislatures of the requisite num-
ber of States, the same is hereby declared duly
ratified and part of the Constitution of the
United States, and valid TO all inLents and pur-
poses as part OF the OonstitptioH OF the United
'insurrection shall have ratified the same and
shall have modified its constitution and laws in
#conformity Herewith, and which shall secure
equal and impartial suffrage to all the male cti-
zens OF the United States that have attained the
age Of twenty. one, and have resided in the State
one year, and in the town. parish, city, district or
election, without regard to race, color previous
condition of servitude, except such as may be dis
for participation in the late reoellion in
any and all elections for Presidential electors, Re-
presentatives IN Congress, and in any and all
elections for Governor, and for all State, county,
"a district, parish, city and town officers and has
provided by the constitution and laws that all cti
zens Of the United States shall equally possess the
right to pursue all lawful associations and bust-
nsss, to receive the equal benefits of the public
schools, and to have the equal protection OF all the
rights of citizens of the United States in said State
and when said constitution shall have been sub.
mitted to the voters of said State as thus defined
for ratification or rejection, and when he consti
tuition, If ratified by the votes of the people OF said
State, shall have been submitted to Congress fol
examination and approval, said State shall, if it,
constitution be approved by Congress, be declared
entitled to representation in Congress, and Sena
tors and Representatives shall be admitted there
from on their taking the oath prescribed by law.
Mr.. WILSON submitted a bill 10 facilitate thu
settlement OF accounts of disbursing officers. Re
ferred TO the Military Committee
Mr.. WILLIAMS moved 10 take mp the Recon
" atructon bill
Mr.. HENDRICKS, Of Indiana, called for
division, but no quorum being present, the Ser
geant-at-Arms was instructed TO request the at
tendance of absent Senators. Several Senators
soon after came in, making quorum.
+ Mr.. JOHNSON stated the reasons which haC
Influenced him In Offering the Blaine amendment
~ He believed that the States lately in rebellion wer
states yet, and were entitled to representation
The only authority of the government for carrying
on the late war was derived from its right TO sup
press insurrection. The moment the insurrecttol
"a was suppressed the States resumed their places il
" the government. The existence Of these States ha
been repeatedly recognized in the appointment o
. marshRls, Judges, tax gatherers and postmasterf
II had been recognized in the Supreme Court II
could not vote for any bill proposing to place an
state at the present time under military power.
NIr. WILLIAMS asked Mr.. johnson II the go
Vernment had not the right TO interpose to proteC
the lives OF loyal men in the south, and save theI
from murder by the rebelsl
Mr.. JOHNSON said the government had ths
"a right under the Constitution already. He did nc
believe the reports Of crueies 70 Union men In th
south. Here and there throughout the south ther
not general. He (mr Johnson) then gave his reH
sons for supporting the amendment III II was tn
duty OF Congrees to institute degpotism 1t was II
duty also 10 state when IL should cease, and nc
leave il 70 be determined by some future Congress,
IL was provision similar to that reported from tn
Committee ON Reconstruction last summer, in tn
shape OF bill in which the existence of the south
ern States was distinctly recognized.
MIR. BUQKALnW, Of PennsyVania, stated the rea
sons why ns i1ou9 % & sots ~ ps sn1 sts
basis Of universal suffrage II was In direct yiolatio
Of Se po Ss 20 dcsraSs uaTe ana ne
lutte and corrupt the foundations or political power
this sSSTd SSaRdfrb sIbm o the viii Of the %Sor
the viDdicaton Of his course 20 ini9re tme He the