The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-02-19
COMPROMISE.

Proposed Plan Of Reconstraetioh-A
Rather Improbable sisrJ.
The following connected and compiete
version of the rumOred compromise
between the President and the radicals
in Congress has been telegraphed to
several of the western papers
A WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. 16, 1867.
The reported compromise, or confer
ence rather, which has been going on
between the President and certain Re-
publican congressman, has continued
to excite the deepest interest to-day in
all quarters, in, as well as ont, OF Con
gress. The impression which it has ere
ated may be Judged from the passage OF
resolutions introduced into the House
to-day by Mr.. Wentworth, of Illinois,
raising a special committe to inyesti-
gate the statements in this regard, made
during the past few days i'll the news
papers. Inasmuch as this committee
will proceed at once to their work, 1t
has been deemed proper by those par
ticipating in the efforts at compro-
mise to furnish for publication the facts
in the premises, in order that the pub
lie may have a correct idea of the situa
ton.
In the first place, the conference was
not proposed by the President, nor by
any member or Senator in Congress-.
The pro .Osition was suggested by in
termediate parties, holding no official
position. They went to leading Re-
publican Congressman of their own
volition, and positively without the
knowledge of the President, and stated
that from their recent informal conver-
sations with the Executive, they were
satisfied that by slight mutual conces-
sions, without any sacrifice of principle,
Congress could present plan OF recon-
structi0n to which the President would
readily give his assent. At first the
members of Congress were not disposed
to take them into consideration, on the
ground that the President had anthor-
lied no such proposition to be made, but
on second consideration a meeting of
twenty or thirty was called, at which
the mediating parties were present. a
detailed conversation resulted In show
ing Enthusiastically that nothing short of
the ratification of the pending consti-
tutional amendment, and the adoption
of universal suffrage by the Southern
States, would secure reconstruction and
entitle them to representation in Con-
gress. That in fact nothing else would
be acceptable to Congress.
This conclusion was reported at once
to the President, who stated in reply
that he was willing, in order to secure
q settlement of the question, to yield
his position and favor the ratification of
the pending constitutional amendment.
and, in addition, to exact suffrage OF
the Southern States as an additional
condition precedent to their representa-
tion in Congress. The President did not
Law any stress as to whether he favored
impartial OF universal suffrage, but dis
tinctly intimated that the difference
between the two would not prove ma-
terial. The Presidents conclusions were
then reported in turn to those Congress
men, who were earnestly assured that
they had been correctly given.
1t was then suggested that an inter
view be had ut ence with the President,
and that a committee of the Members
be appointed to see Mr.. johnson, and
learn from him personally, these report
ed declarations. A committee then
waited upon the President, and he sub
stautially repeated the statement which
he had made to the mediat1-s. This
was reported to all of the members at
second meeting who were present ut the
first one. and it was looked upon as be-
ing conclusive. The fact of the Presi-
dents having stated his concession,
was communicated to between sixty
and seventy members on the Republi-
can side of the House, and nearly every
one stated that they would vote for q
bill embodying them if it could be
brought before the House. If there is
any point in doubt in the whole matter
it is the whole question as to whether
universal or impartial suffrage shall be
agreed to in connection with the Con-
stitutional Amendment.
The way in which the agreement is
now being illustrated is in the protract-
ed session of the Senate, where the
Blaine amendment is pending, and
VIII; oh IL virtually the plan the Presl.
dent is declared to have accepted. If
the Senate adopt it, and it is agreed TO
by the House, the President is afforded
the opportunity of making good tho
representation which he has given to
members. In any event, it is expected
that the views of the President will bo
communicated to Congress in message
either approving or vetoing recon-
struction bill,
Among the Republicans who have
been present at the time of the confer
ence alluded to are Banks, Blaine, Dodge,
Bingham, Delano, Hubbell, of Ohio,
| ~ e Nnrly on1 nfhnra nf
equal prominence.
The statements above given are de-
rived from prominent and strictly re-
sponsible sources, and may be relied
on.
The following is the full text of
sherman's reconstruction hill passed in
the Senate on Saturday nj NJ and which,
it is believed by some, the President
will sign;
WHEREAS, 80 legal State govern
ments or adequate protection for life or
n, ,operty now exists in the rebel States
of Virginia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana,
Florida, Texas and Arkansas:
| Anu w ~ 10
peace and good order should be enforced
in said States until loyal and Republican
State Governments can b. legally es-
tablshed; therefore; =.
Be ifenaeted, 30, That said rebel States
shall be divided into military districts
and made subject to the military author
ity of the United States as hereafter
prescribed, and for that purpose vir-
pinia shall constitute the first distriotj
North Carolina and South Carolina the
second district; Georgia, Alabama and
Florida, the third district; Mississippi
and Arkansas, the fourth district; Lou
isiana and Texas, the fifth district.
SECTION That it shall be the duty
of the President to assign to the COM
mand of each of said districts an officer
of the army not below the rank of Brig
adler General and to detail sufficient
military force to enable such officer to
nerform his duties and enforce his an
thority within the district to which he
is assigned.
of each officer assigned as aforesaid to
nrotect all nersons in their rights OF