The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1867-01-16

Returning to the Senate Hill entitled An ncs 70
Regulate The Elective Franchise 10 The D'ss''essa
Columbia"
. Washington. Iaasary :, tsdI.
70 Ms Senate ofihe Uniied SIaies.
have received and considered bill en-
titled" An act 70 regulate the elective fran.
chise in the District Of Columbia" passed
by the Senate on the 18th Of December.
aud by the House Of Representatives on the
succeeding day. Il was presented for my
approval ON the 26th ultimo-six days at
Ter the adjournment Of Congress--and is
nov returned with nv objections to the
Senate, in which House il originated.
Measures having been introduced. at the
commencement ot the first session OF the
present Congress, for the extension OF the
siective franchise to persons Of color IN The
District Of Columbia. steps were taken by
tne corporate authorities Of Washington and
Georgetown 10 ascertain and make known
the opinion Of the people Of the two cities
apan q subject so Immediately affecting
their welfare a. q community. The ques.
tion was submitted to the people at special
elections. held in the month OF December,
1865. when the qualified voters oi WASH
ington and Georgetown. with great un.
animily of sentiment. expressed themselves
opposed TO the contemplated legislation.
In Washington, in a vote Of 6,556-the
largest. with but two exceptions. ever poll.
ed IN that ciiy-only thirty live ballots were
cast for negro suffrage; while 10 George.
town, in an aggregate OF 8l5 votes--a mum.
ber considerably in excess of the average
vote At the four preceding annual elections
but one was given 10 iayor uf the propos-
ed extension Of The elective franchise. As
these elections seem 10 have been conduct
ed with entire fairness, the result must be
accepted rs . truthful expression Of the
opin,on of the people Of the District upon
the question which evoked it. Possessing.
as an organized community, the same pop
ulsr right IS The Inhabitants OF q Stale or
Territory, 10 mike known their will upon
matters which affect their social and pol.
iiicsl condition. they could have seiected
no more appropriate mode 0i memorializine
Congress apon the subject Of this bill than
through ihs suHrsges oi their qualified vet.
ers.
Entirely disregardins the wishes Of the
people oi the District of Columbia. Con
gress has deemed |, right and expediea, te
pass the measure now submitted i.r ny sig.
nature. Il. therefore, becomes the duty o.
the Executive, standing between the legis
lstlon OF the one and the will Of the other
fairly expressed. 10 determine whether b,
should approve the bill. and thus aid ir
placing upon the statute books Of the nation
. Law against which she people 10 whom i,
To apply have sslemniy and with sueh
pnsnim,ly Protested. or whether he shsuit
return il with his objections. in the hop,
that. upon reconsideration. Congress, act
ing as the representatives. ofthe inhakitantl
ofthe seat Of government, will permit thea
20 regulate purely local question. - I,
them may seem best suiled 10 their intesest
and condition.
The District III Columbia was ceded /,
the United States by Maryland and ylr
giais, 10 order that Il might become III,
permanent seat o government Of the Unit
cd States. Accepted by Congress, il q
once became subject 10 the exclusive
Legislation" Tor which provision 10 made II
the Federal Constitution. II should b,
borne IN mind. however, that iae exercisinl
its luaetions as the law making power O
The District uf Columbia. the authority 0
the National Legislature 10 not siihoa
. limit. hut that q ongess is bound 70 ebssrs
the letter and spirit oithe Constitutions. a
we'll IN the enactment Of local lass f.r th
seat OF government, as in legislation com
mon 10 the entire Union. Were il to b
admitted that the right "to exercise er
ulssive Issislstion in Ill cases Whatsoever.
conferred upon lCongscss ,anlimitsi powe
sjtbip the ,District Of Columbie, titles Q
nobility rhightbe granted within its bound