Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-02-20
X1XIXtR Congress Session
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 1867.
SENATE

The Clerk of the House announced the
action of the House on the bin to provide
more efficient government for insurrec-
tionary States. .--s- rs.r--..=e sssE
Mr.. WILLIAMS moved the Senate insist
on its amendments to the Reconstruction
bill, and agreed to a committee of confer
ence called for by the House.
Quite lengthy debate ensued.
Mr.. CONNESS thought this was too i'm
pOrtant a bill to intrust to a committee Of.
conference. The difference between the
two houses was a fundamental one. He
should object to any compromise.
Mr.. WILLIAMS favored q conference
committee. If the report was not satisfac-
| tory it could be voted down., s.s.W
| Mr.. SUMNER advocated a. committee as
the only way of accomplishing the desired
result. -l-6's''L Il.fF
Mr.. POMEROY did not think it possible
| to pass an acceptable bill at this stage of
the session, with or without conference
| committee.
| Mr.. SHERMAN wonld, under ordinary
| circumstances, vote for committee of
conference, but it was known that the op-
position to Senate amendments in this case
| was not to be reconciled without surrend-
erihg the principles upon which the bill
was framed. He opposed Committee of
conference.
Mr.. HENDRICKS wished to say he did
not desire the President to take advantage
oftthe ten days allowed to defeat this bill.
He did not think there was any reason TO
believe the President would decline to act
if he had time allowed him to do so. He
desired this question to go to the country to
be fairly and squarelye met. He should
not agree to committee of conference.
Mr.. POMEROY repeated his belief that
the bill could not become law this session,
either through conference committee or
any other means. .:.ss.-.-.t.s -.-
Mr.. LANE could not agree to a confer
ence committee, because the point at issue
between the two Houses was fundamental
principle which he was unwilling to aban-
don. He would not agree to the Blaine
amendment. -Es -.. ~ - r.1,
Mr.. FESSENDEN said the bill failed in
the House, as he understood, because tbs
Blaine amendment, as redrawn, was
thought not to afford sufficient protection
to loyal men. This could be remedied in 6
conference committee.
| Mr.. HOWARD was unwilling to trus
this important subject to committee o.
conference. Such measure ought to bC
settled by the two Houses in open session
There should be no compromise, no traffick
ing such as the best men are sometime!
liable to engage in. ais. .--.-.--
Mr.. WADE believed this too grave ,
matter to leave, at this stage of the session
to committee of conference. --. 49,
Mr.. BROWN opposed conference com
mittee. The subject was of too grave i'm
portance to consent to that.
Mr.. SHERMAN moved that the Senatt
insist upon its amendment.
Mr.. TRUMBULL did not regard the bill
as it came from the House, called mill
tary bill, of the slightest importance. H
was opposed to a committee of conference
Mr.. SUMNER said the great difficultie
of the present moment arose from tn
course of the bad man in the executiv
chair.
Mr.. SHERMAN said this bill containet
all Mr.. Sumner and his friends had eve
claimed. 1t enfranchised the blacks an,
gave the ballot to every black man in tn
South. He hoped it wOuli go back to tn
House and be passed or amended so it coul
be concurred in here.
After further debate, the House insiste,
upon its amendment, and took recess.