The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-03-15

beginning. If two thirds of the law
ful voters of the South were not in
favor of Convention, let them stay
at home. but let them not be able to
defeat the work of reconstruction,
but let the Convention be held, and
Constitution be formed. 1t is quito
enough for them to have a voice in
ratlfylng the Constitution after it is
offered.
Howard centended for the right of
Congress, at such time and in such
manner as it saw fit, to restore the
rebel States. He was not in such
hurry to complete this work as to ad-
NIT a State without clear and fair
expression of the will of majority of
its citizens. A minority government
could not exist in this country, and if
any State contained a majority op-
posed to returning to the Union, he
was for keeping it out till doomsday,
or until It's people repented In dirt
and ashes for their crimes.
After further debate, the amend
ment was rejected-17 against 27.
Drake moved to amend the fourth
section by adding the following:
Provided, That no such constitu-
ton shall be considered as entitling.
the State for which it was framed to
such representation unless it pro-
vides that in all elections for State,
county, or municipal officers, the
electors shall vote by closed ballot,.
and such mode of voting shall never
be changed without the assent Of
Congress. A debate of some length
followed, during which Drake ex-
pressed the belief that Congress has
the right to thrust out Senators and
Representative where State has
formed constitution with this pro-
vision in it and afterward violated it.
Morgan said he would vote for
brakes amendment if the clause re-
ferring to the future were omitted,
and provided that simply voting by
closed ballots shall be provided for in
the Constitution He believed it very
important that the voting should be
by closed ballot, but he doubted the
right of Congress to impose a condi-
tion Of this kind, which should be
binding IN the future.
Henderson spoke against the
amendment.
After further debate, and without
action, the Senate went into executive
session, and afterwards adjourned.
HoUsE.-Covede asked leave to
offer a resolution, reciting that
charges on the Irregularities in the
Treasury Department had been made
Through the press and in the House,
and that such statements had caused
great uneasiness in the country, and
providing for the appointment of a
Select Committee to investigate all
such charges and report to the House
the present outstanding Government
Indebtedness, as represented by the
currency bonds and compound inter-
est notes, and other promises to pay
the deficiencies exhibited by books
and accounts, and the amounts of over
issues, if any; and whether compound
interest notes and the promises to
pay the deficiences are exhibited by
the books and accounts, and the
amounts of over issues, if any; and
whether coupons on duplicated bonds
have been presented, and if so, what
amount of such ave been redeemed,
and to inquire into all other irreg-
ularities. ,''is5s, ii
Chandler objected, as the clause
was too indefinite, and opened up too
wide field of inquiry.
Covode gave notice that he would
on Monday, move to suspend the
rules, so as to offer a resolution.
Julian introduced a bill to fix the
time for the election of Representa-
| +iuos aDd nolocatas - Honcrass ood
a bill to constitute eight hours as
days work for all mechanics and
laborers employed by, or on behalf
of, the Government, Referred to the
Judiciary Committee. AWa
Holman desired to have the latter
bill put on its final passage now, but
Stevens objected.
Fernando Wood presented a pc
tition from Mayor Hoffman and the
citizens of New York, asking the ex-
tension of the same privileges to
sailors honorably discharged, as now
extended by law to soldiers.
The Speaker presented the reply of
the Congressional Printer to the in
quiry contained in the resolution of
March II, respecting the purchase of
paper.
Scofeld offered a resolution instruct
ing the Committee on Elections to re-
port whether. Mr.. Hunt or Mr.. Chilli
cot claiming seats as Delegates from
| Colorado was prinaG facio evidence
that they were entitled to seats.
Randall moved that when the House
adjourn to-day, it adjourn to meet
Monday. Negatived. Adjourned.