The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-03-15
FORTIETH CONGRESs-Flrst Session.
WAsHINGToN. March L

SENATE.-Ramsey, from the Com
mittee on Post Offices and Post-roads,
reported back favorably the bill au-
thorizing the Atlantic Telegraph
Company of New York to make
soundings and lay a cable on the
American coast, to connect with the
French coast. n srS~
A House bill to suspend the law
of last session, for the relief of the
heirs of John Bouligney, was refer
red to the Committee on Private Land
Claims.
Fessenden, from the Committee on
Public Buildings and Grounds, re-
ported bill to provide in part for
the extension of the Capital
grounds.
Van Winkle introduced a resolu-
ton instructing the Commissioner of
Pensions to inquire into the expedi-
ency Of putting pensions, granted by
special acts of Congress, on the
same footing as those granted under
general laws. Adopted.
Trumbull called up the Supple
mentary Reconstruction Bill, which
was read at length.
Drake said he had several amend
ments to offer. The first was to in
sert in third section provision that
at the election provided for in the
preceding sections thatthe registered
voters of each State shall vote on the
question of holding a State Conven-
ton and forming Constitution; and
those in favor of the convention shall
have written, or printed on their bal
lots, ''for a convention" and those
opposed. shall have against con-
vention," written or printed on
their ballot. The persons appointed
to superintend elections shall make
returns of votes, for and against, to the
Commanding General, to whom the
same shall be returned; and shall as
certain the total vote, and if the ma
jority of the whole number of those
in any State shall have voted for such
convention, it shall be held; and if a
majority shall have voted against a
convention, no such convention shall
| be held. 49fYd
Drake said he did not like the pro-
visions of the bill as reported on the
subject, He did not think the indi-
viduals elected as members of the
Convention should have it in their
power to make an official expression
of what they choose to declare to be
the wishes of the people, but that the
people themselves should by their
votes directly declare their wishes on
that subject
Trumbull said the Judiciary Com
mittee had considered a proposition
similar to that now introduced by
Drake, but had considered it was best
as it now is. In the bill frauds were
effectually guarded against by the pro-
vision that the Constitution must be
ratified by a majority of the registered
voters. He hoped the bill would be
passed as it came from the Judiciary
Committee. If many amendments
were adopted it would be incongru-
Gus.
Drake replied, urging the necessity
for guarding the Southern people
against the possibility of betrayal into
the adoption of Constitution against
their wishes. The.very men who had
misled this people during the last six
years, were ready to mislead them
again.
| Howard supported the amendments
as necessary to get the full expression
of the popular vote.
Fessenden favored, and Frelinghuy-
sen opposed the amendments
Morton was opposed to submitting
the question of Convention or no
Convention to the rebels at all in che