The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-02-05
CHR WRstrrn DRmofrlt.
SHARP DEBATE IN CONGRESS
CHARLOTTE, N. C.
n, ,ls BU +, Oner,hro,o the Southern STATE

On the BIZ to Ocerthrow the Soufhern otdte
Governments.
The United States House Of Representatives
on Monday proceeded to the consideration OF
Mr. Stevens bill to enable the Southern States
to f,ru valid State governments, aud Nh uilan,
Of Indiana, spoke in favor OF It.
AIR CulIom, of Illinois, aud Mr. Seofeld, of
PENNSYLVANIA, also addressed the House in favor
of the bill.
Mr. Stevens proposed to modify the bill by
striking out that portion Of the third section
which authorizes election to be held on the
third Monday of May, 1867. Also, to strike
out the whole of the seventh section, when re-
mits State to its territorial condition, II IL
shall by law deny To any citizen any right priv
ieyes or immunities which are granted to any
other eirz III in the State.
Mr. Eliot, of Massachusetts, suggested an
amendment by striking out the clause which
allowed all persons convicted of any crime, save
treason. to vote.
Mr. Stevens said he could not accept that, be-
cause the South was whipping negroes IN order
to di>francbise them.
Mr. Eliot withdrew the amendment.
Mr. Stevens then appealed to Mr. Bingham &c
withdraw his motion to refer to the COMMITTEE
on recnnstructi"n.
Mr. Bingham declined. He desired the House
to decide, AID he wanted TO decide for himself
whether they would abrogate the action OF the
committee.
Mr. Boutwell, thought it had better be with
drawn, and the bill could then lie considered
and perfected.
Mr Blaine, Of Maine, could not see sny use
of wran.ny over the simple motion to refer
The Committee on reconstruction was composed
of good Radicals aud the bill would lie safe il
their hands
Mr. Stevens said to refer the bill was simply
to kill it
Mr. Bingham said he did not recognize the
authority of the venerable gentleman from Penn
sylvania to intimate that the bill would be klet
by reference
Mr. Stevens replied that he did not ask VI
Bingham to recognize his authority In thu:
matter Of reconstruction he did not recognlz
the gentleman from Ohio; he would not taxi
counsel Of him, aud he would not believe wore
he said
The Speaker called Mr. Stevens to order, anC
the latter remained standing.
NJ Chandler, of New York, asked that TIL
rule be enforced. The gentleman Mr. Stevens
had been called to order, and yet he remained
standing He should be made to sit down.
The Speaker said when a gentleman wa
called to order he must cease speaking until tn
question Of order il passed upon, but in this in
stance the gentleman had finished his remark
beture he was called TO order.
Nj Stevens said he ought not to have occu
pied much time, he hardly expected any
thing from the gentleman from Ohio. and b
would therefore call the previous question upo'
the motion to refer.
Mr. Shellabarger, of Ohio, by unanimous con
sent, proposed an amendment making all pc,
sons who held Office above the rank of secon
lieutenant in the Confederate service inellieibl
to the elective !rlncl i-e, or to hold office, &c.
The question was then taken upon the nc
tion to refer, and resulted: Yeas SO, nays 65.