The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1867-02-22
LErrRR FROM WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, u. u, Feb. ~, 1851
Editors Journal:
The most important measure passed dur
ing the present session Of Congress, was car
tied throogh this evening. / alluds to Mr..
Shellabargers bill for the Reorganization of
! the Stale Government of Louisiana. This is
the first measure towards thorough recon-
siructiOn jet adopted by Congress. R,cog.
niEing the fact that the rebel States have with
wonderful unsnimity rejected the proposed
Constitutional Amendment, and by this ac-
iion have thrown back upon Congress the
duty of insugurating further measures Of
restoration by direct legislation, this bill
-begins at the beginnipg,-begins at the joint
where the boys in blue left the Confsderacy,
and sets the machinery Of government up in
he interest and spirit Of loya lty and liberty.
Although the bill applies only 10 Louisiana,
the principle being established, it is easy to
bring the other. rebel States within its prcvi-
sidns.
The main features Of the bill are, the ap-
pointment by the President with the advice
and consent fthe Senate, Provisional Gov
ernOr and Legislative Council, of undoubted
loyalty, TO hold their Offices for one year or,
until an election BY the people of State Off
GERS and Legislature; ssch election TO be
held next June; a constitutional Convention
to be elected in October, the Constitution
framed by said Convention to be submitted
10 the people, and if ratified, presented to
Congress for approval; ifapproved the State
to be admitted to its full representation.
The act provides thatn voluntary soldier in
the late Confederate army above the rank Of
private shall vote under this Provisional
Government, and no person under it shall be
eligible to any Office who has ever borne arms
against the Union or given aid or comfort to
the rebellion, and ne distinction shall be al
owe as TO the elective franchise on account
Of race or color.
The bill passed the House this evening, by
vote of ll3 to 4s. Bingham and few 9TH
er Republicans voting against it on its first
passage. If Unnecessary, however, no doubt is
felt about the ability of the majority to pass
it over a veto.
Tomorrow the military Bill" comes up
sgair, and its friends generally expect its
passage by large majority. 1t places the
rebel States under martial law until they
shall ,e provided with lawful civil govern
meuss.
q, Ger. ,Scheueks Bounty Bill will come up
this week and have an easy passage through
the House.
Mr. Buekland has secured the insertion of
the Ssndusky River Improvement clause in.
to the River and HsrbOr Appropriation Bill.
Guaranteed by his vigilance aud ability, the
appropriation can hardly fail. OF the atlen-
tive and industrious members, those whose
labors, Judgment and personal influence are
particularly priced and relied upon, General
Buckland stands among the first on the fsor
Of the House, and does honor to his constitu-
ency.
What is to be done after the 4th of March,
remains in doubt. Six of the loyal States
have not yet elected Representatives to the
10th Congress. 1t therefore seems likely
that no important legislation will be UNDER
taken by it until all the loyal States are rep
resented.
II has doubtless occurred to the "unterri-
fed of the 9th District. (sincs the rejection
Of Messrs. Haynes and Baker and the ap-
n
mer, that Mr.. Finefrock does not entirely
cnntrol the Federal patronage cf the District.
If the facts had been anticipated last Fall
the expenditures in his behs { would have
been less profuse, guess.
Yours in haste, G..