Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-21
THE RECONSTRTCTION MUDDLE


Mr.. Williams moved that the Senate in
-ist on the amendments to the reConstruc.
ton bill and agree 10 the conference called
for by the House. Quite lengthy debate
ensued.
Mr.. Comes thought this too important
a bill 10 eutrust il 10 the conference com
mittee. The difference between the two
Houses was a fundamental one. He should
object 10 any compromise.
Mr. Williams favored the Conference
Committee Ii the report was not sati5fac-
tory IL could be voted down.
Mr. SIMMER ADVOCATED the committee a.
the only way Of accomplishing the desired
result
Mr. Pomeroy did not think il possible to
pass an acceptable bill al this stage of the
session, with on without a Conference Com
mIttee.
Mr. sherman would, under ordinary cir
cumstances vote for Committee of Con-
ference but ii was known that the opposi-
tion 10 the Senate amendment in this case
was not to be reconciled without surrender
ing the principles upon which the bill was
framed The opposition TO the bill came
from two extreme views in the House one
asserting that the Rebel States were now
entitled to representation, and the other
believing the terms Of the bill too liberal.
lie did not see how a Conference Commit
tee could settle this diference, and thought
it best for the Senate 20 insist still further
in its amendments, and give the House an
ltaer opportunity 10 agree with the Senate
Mr. Hendricks, wished 10 say be did not
desire the President 10 take advantage of
the ten DAYS allowed 10 defeat this bill. He
did not think there was any reason 10 be
lirye the President would decline to act il
he had time allowed him 10 do so. He
desired this question to 90 10 the country
90 be- fairly and squarely met He should
not agree 10 a committee of conference.
The resolutions of the committee on the
part of the House did not Justify him in
the hope that anything like the Senate pro-
position would be the result of a confer
rnce.
Mr.. Pomeroy repeated his belief that the
bill could not become a law this session,
either through the Conference Committee
or other means
Mr.. Lane could not agree 10 the Con
ference Committee because the point at is
sue between the two houses was elemental
and fundamental. lie would not agree TO
Blaine's amendment.
Mr.. FesseHden said the bill failed in the
House, as he understood, because Mr..
Blaine's amendment, a. redrawn, was
thought not 10 afford sufficient protection 10
loyal men
Mr.. Howard said that as Mr.. Fessenden
had not not stated his objection 10 Hr
Blaines amendment while the bill was nm
der discussion in the Senate, he lHoward)
Was unwilling 10 trust this important sub
irct 90 the Committee on Conference. Such
measure ought 10 be settled bv the two
houses IN open session
Mr. Fessendcn said that in Withdrawing
hia objections to Mr. Blaine's amendment
hc did 40 with the strict understanding
that there would be no debate on the Re.
publican side
Mr., Howard said il was not true that he
was opposed 10 Mr. Blaine's amendment as
% was incorporated in Mr.. Sherman bill.
tie voted for it, while Mr. Fcs5enden was
quietly asleep in has lodging paired of,
thus avoiding it
Mr.. Fessenden explained that he was
absent when the vote was taken. He had
paired of, and being sick had retired from
the chamber by the advice of friends. The
Gentleman from Michigan must NOT lecture
him Mr.. Fcssenden) for being ont of the
way and glorify himself for staying here.
Mn. Howard replied that he, not being
aware of the Senator sickness, remained
IA his seat because he was well, and voted
for the measure. This was the extent of
his ohense.
Mr Wade believed this too grave a mat
Ter 10 leave at this stage Of the session TO
the Committee Of Conference. He did not
like some things said by Mr.. Fessenden
that he was present while the debate went
on that there were features in il objection
able 10 him, vet he would not express his
opposition TO IL. He (FessendenD ought 10
have stated his objection and presented it,
Remember, he did not like this way Of
doing business in the Senate He did not
like 10 see men fail 10 make their opposi-
lion to a bill
Mr. Fessenden replied 10 Mr.. Wade
Mr.. Brown opposed the Conference Com
mittcc. The subject was Of too grave i'm
TortanCc TO consent TO that.
Mr. Williams said he had waited month
after month toJ more experienced legisls-
tors 10 bring forward something on recon
-Juction hui being disappointed, he had
introduced = bill. His design was first 60
afford military protection, and provide for
reConstruction atterward. He withdrew
his motion 20 appoint a Conference Com
mitiee
Mr. sherman moved the Senate insist
upon its amendment
MT Trumbull did not regard the hill a. it
came from the House, called the military
hall, OF the slightest importance He
thought tbat something else besides this
ought 10 be incorporated in the new bill.
he therefore favored the Blaine amend
ment He thought il contained everything
required as guarantees. lie was opposed
tu the Conference Committee. lie also
alluded 20 the freedmcns bureau
Though il was true that Howard was at it,
head the President set aside his orders
frequently when he or his subordinates
had attempted 90 punish crime in the South.
The President had recently pardoned the
murderer OF n negro IN Virginia, and has
puudOnoj other criminals CA the recon-
myndltiop ut Rebel Governors.
Mr.. Summer agreed with what Mr..
Immhull said about the Executive. The
vreu difficulties of the present moment
arose from the had man IA the Executive
chair
Nj sherman said that the bill contained
ali that Mr Sumner and his friends had
ever daimed lt enianchised the blacks
aud gave the ballot 90 every black man iu
the South, hut lt was objected that 40 did
uut dI=irlurhise the white The people
vt Ohio dad not demand such di-tauChise-
meuI THIS Congress would never agree
totl THIS hill disfrauchi-e- Oh, leading
kth,a uI the South under the cnn,iitG-
uuual amcndmeni, and was uul that
enough
Mr Wilson appealed Go the senate 60
take vote and decide the fate cot thr h,ll.
hs hoped it would
Amer further debate the Senate u-i ted
un Co. ameudmeul1and took a recr..
rHr QUESTION IN THE HOUSE
The action OF he SenNe having been
communicated 90 the House, at its night
.,s.iau un the .ame dny. that hoiy proceed
ga a. follow:
The message from Ihe senate, lnRoun q
iun that u insisted on the amendment to
lh, military bIil, was read.
Mr Blaine moved that the House ryytje
.ram %. disagreement thereto.
Mr. Wilson, OF Iowa, moved 10 cuncur IA
f.. Senate amen lfnguf with the I,Ilsygir,r