The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-03-20

Debate ON the HecOnstructiOn Bill.
The fate of the reconstruction bill Is not
vet settled. The measure passed by the
Senate near midnight on Saturday was
brought before the House yesterday, and
under the operation of the previous ques-
ton, which is the distinguishing feature Of
Radical tactics, three amendments were
proposed and passed. The first amends
the oath so as to include those members Of
the Virginia State Government who were
not comprised before, on account Of the
fact that since lS49 the members of the
Legislature and other State officials have
not had administered the oath to support
the Constitution Of the United States.
The second amendment requires a ratifca-
ton Of the constitutions adopted by ma
jority of the registered voters. The third
makes provision for Furnishing for perjury
those swearing falsely under this act. The
bill was then returned to the Senate.
The Senate accepted the first amend
ment without hesitation, and also the
third but Mr.. Trumbull urged that the
second should not be adopted. True, he
had reported the bill in that shape, but
after the full discussion Of that point he
felt satisfied it was unwise; and if ma
jority Of all the registered voters is to be
required at all he thought it ought to be
on the proposition to hold convention.
But he disapproved of it in either case.
Mr.. Sherman thought it matter of but
little consequence either way; for if any
State adopted a constitution which was
satisfactory in all other particulars, this
might be waived. Against this Mr.. Sum
ner warmly protested. He proclaimed
his unwillingness to waive any of the re-
quirements asked, and gave notice in adj
vance, lest he should be unjuStly
charged hereafter. He believed in ma
king frank declarations now Of what we
expected to have observed.
Mr.. Wiley declared it was impossible
to get out full vote on convention rati-
fication; that from his knowledge of the
South be was satisfied there would be an
ntfort to defeat this reconstruction scheme,
bud that all that those hostile to it had to
do was to prevent action. He believed,
too, that the negroes would not be very
generally induced to exercise their novel
privilege at the first election or two, and
preferred no bill to this with this requisite
of majority Of the registered vote. For
if no bill was passed, those friendly to re-
construction would take the matter in
hand in their primary meetings, and thus
secure the adoption of a State constitu-
ton which the Senate would welcome. AS
it was, the whole scheme was almost GER
tain Of defeat.
Mr.. Wilson believed it to be q great
mistake, and in the interest Of the oppo-
nents Of reconstruction. The rebel chiefs
would persuade to inaction under this bill.
Howell Cobb, who was lately in this city,
had already done so. Men who honorably
wanted the Union restored, no matter what
their fate, would act differently. Governor
Brown, after, conference here with our
friends, availed himself of the first oppor-
tunity to urge the people to act, had done
so, and was assailed for it. The State offices
are vacated, and most of the incum-
bents disqualified. We must expect their
hostility, which had only to take the form
Of persuadiDg to inaction to be successful.
At no election was full vote ever polled.
In the election Of 1864 but four-ffths cast
their suffrages. No State constitution was
adopted by majority vote of all its voters.
Considering the condition of the country,
the triumph everywhere of our principles,
and the hostility of the President, the APP
pretended attitude of the Supreme Court,
ne thought reconstruction ought to be
brought about at the earliest day and If
our friends have any capacity for organiza-
ton, they can get control Of these southern
States, and send men here who will agree
with us. Evidently, Mr.. Wilson looks at
this question like a practical man, that
he is.
Mr.. Fessenden proposed to go into exc
cutive session. He thought there was little
chance of coming to any conclusion to-
night, as members were evidently dis
posed to make their speeches over again.
Mr.. Johnson regarded this as the defeat
of the measure, for on the ratification of
the convention not half vote would be
polled. Mr.. Drake proclaimed himself in
earnest for reconstruction. This provision
should apply to the vote in the convention,
if at all. As it was, it would defeat the
scheme, and he was constrained to believe
that it was intended to plant obstacles in
the way of reconstruction. He would re-
fuse to yield on this question to the end,
and if it led to the failure of the measure,
he was prepared to go home and take the
sense of the country on the issue between
the Senate and House. No one contro-
verted this statement Of Mr.. Brakes. 1t
is patent that there are some gentlemen
who, like Mr.. Howard, are not in "hot
haste to restore, but would proceed eau
tiousy and with delay-in other words,
postpone any action until after the next
Presidential election.
Mr.. Salisbury referred in compliment
tary terms to Mr.. Wilson as frank, out
spoken man, who commanded his respect,
and then put home thrust. He wanted
to know why it was that at Yonkers, n.
Y, in New Jersey, and Delaware, Mr..
Wilson had denied that negro suffrage was
an issue, but was now found so strenuously
insisting on it. Mr.. Wilson got out of this
by saying that he personally had been
known for years as advocating negro suf-
frage, but that had not been made an issue
in those States. Mr.. Edmunds contended
that the election for State officers could be
ordered on the day provided for the ratif-
cation vote.
Mr.. Morton made spirited statement of
his views, which we have before produced.
This provision was delay of reconstruc-
ton. He did not charge that it was SO in
tended; but the sick, those necessarily
detained, the sluggard, as well as the hos
tile, were all counted against the Consti-
tuition. No other business was SO trans
acted. Men were supposed to acquiesce
in result which they did not oppose. He
denied that there was any analogy to
legislative quorum, for there men were
dcrutiscd to attend continuously and for
special purpose. He declared that the
party would have to defend itself from the
charge that it was inserted for the pur-
pose of insuring the defeat of the bill.
Actions speak louder than words. 1t is