Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-03-15
Fortielh Oongress7--First Session.
WAsH1NGroN, March IA, 1867,
SEN ATE

1elegfapn company. OF New York, to make |
soundlngs and lay cable on the American |
coast to connect with the French coast.
The House bill to suspend the law of last |
session, for the relief of the heirs of John |
BOuligny, was referred to the committee on
Private Land Claims. ~ 80 .,.......> -
Mr.. FESSENDEN, from the committee 4
on Public Buildings and Grounds, reported |
Dill 70 provide III part tor the extension |
of the Capitol grounds. ...-.,-,.. E, m /
MIR. VAN WINKLE introduced resolu- |
tfon instructing the committee on Pensions
to inquire as to the expediency of putting
pensions granted by special acts of Con-
gress on the same footing as those granted
under general laws. Adopted. i, - -,.rt
/ Mr.. called up the Supple
mentary Reconstruction bin, which was
read at length. .r- .f-..-,s...-. s.-,... ..--i
Mr.. DRAKE said he had several amend
ments to offer. The first was: TO insert
in the Sd section q provision that at the
election provided for in preceding sections.
the registered voters of each State shall
vote on the question of holding a State
convention and forming a Constitution.
Those In favor of the convention shall
have written or printed on. their ballot
''for convention" and those opposed shall
have against a convention written or
printed on their ballot. The persons ap-
pointed to superinteDd elections shall make
returns of votes for and against. The COM
manding general to whom the same shall
be returned, shall ascertain the whole vote:
and If a majority of the whole number.
of those in any State shall have voted for
such convention, it shall be held. ffa ma
jority shall have voted against the 'eonVen-
ton, no such convention shall be held. -
;. Mr.. DRAKE said he did not like the pro-
vision of the bill, as reported on the sub
ject. He did not think the individuals
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 voice of the people, but
that the people themselves should by their
votes directly declare their wishes on that
subject. ~'t'i - . -ni fI VI 4
MIR. TRUMBULL said the Judiciary
committee had considered propositions
similar to the one now introduced by Mr..
Drake, but he considered it was the best,
as now in the bill frauds were effectually
guarded against by the provision that
the Constitution must be ratified
by majority of registered voters. He
hoped the bill would be passed as it came
from the Judiciary committee, and if many
amendments were adopted the bill would
be incongruous.
Mr.. DRAKE replied, arguing the neces-
sity 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
now ready to mislead them again. 1F1Han
Mr.. HOWARD supported the amend
ment, as it was necessary to get the full ex-
preston of the popular vote. IL i.tt
Mr.. FESSENDEN favored the amend
ment. t-5 rt
Mr.. FRELINGHYsEN opposed the
amendment. 80 .ff ~
Mr.. MORTON was opposed to submit
ting the question of Convention or no Con-
vention to rebels at all in the beginning.2
fNIyn IF6C fNf q loN yfaIl
of the South were not in favor
| of Convention, let them stay at
home, but let them not be able to
defeat of the work of reconstruction. Let
the convention be held and constitution
formed. 1t is quite enough for them to
have voice in ratifying the constitution
| Mr.. HOWARD contended for the right
of Congress, at such time and in such maD-
ner as it saw fit, to restore rebel States. He
was not in such hurry to complete this
work as to admit State without clear
and fair expression of the will of majori-
| ty of its citizens. A minority government
could not exist in this country, and If
any State contained a majority opposed to
returning to the Union, he was for keeping
| it out till doomsday, or until its people re-
pented in dirt and ashes of their crimes.
After further debate, the amendment was
rejected-17 against %. a. s-.t
|
section by adding the following: Provided
no such Constitution shall be considered as
emitting for which framed to snch rep
resentation, unless it provide that all elec-
| tionS for State, county, or municipal officers,
| the electors shall vote by closed ballot and
such mode of voting shall never be changed,
without the assnt of Congress. A debate
of some length followed, during which Mr..
Drake expressed belief that Congress would
| have no right to thrust out Senators and
1 Representatives where State formed such
a Constitution with this provision in it, and
afterwards violate it. aa'a2 'ssjtt
Mr.. MORTON said he would vote for
Mr.. brakes amendment if the clause refer
ring to the future were omitted, and pro-
vided simply for voting by closed ballots,
and shall be provided for in the Constitu-
ton. He believed it very important the
voting should be by closed ballot, but
doubted the right of Congress to impose q
condition of this kind which should be
| binding in the future.
Mr.. HENDERSON spoke against the
amendment. .i-- sii
! After further debate, and without action,
| the Senate went into Executive session,
after which, adjourned. "
O. HOUSE.
Mr.. COVODE asked leave to offer a
resolution reciting that charges of irregu-
larities in the Treasury Department have
been made through the press and in the
House, and that such statements were cal
| culated to cause great uneasiness in the
country, and providing for the appoint
ment of select committee to investigate
| all such charges and report to the House,
! the present outstanding Government in
debtedness, as represented by currency,
bonds, compound Interest notes, and other
promises to pay, the deficiencies exhibited
| by the books and accounts, the amounts of
| Uh iIl.
terest notes and promises to pay; the de-
! ficiencies exhibited by the books and ac-
| counts, the amounts of Over-i issues If any,
whether coupons on duplicated bonds have
! been presented, and if so what amount of
such have been redeemed, and inquire into
all other irregularities.
90 Mr.. CHANDLER objected, as the clause
was too indefinite, and opened up too wide
| a field for inquiry.
Mr.. COVODE gave notice that he would
on Monday move to suspend the rules, so
as to offer resolution.
| Mr.. JULIAN introduced bill to fix the
| time for the election of representatives and
delegates in Congress, and bill to consti-
tute eight hours as days work for all
mechanics and laborers employed by or on
behalf of the Government. Referred to
| the Judiciary committee.
| Mr.. HOLMAN desired to have the latter
bill put on its final passage now, but Mr..
FERNANDO WOOD presented the pc
tition of Mayor Holman and citizens OF
New York asking the extension of the same
privilege to sailors holorably discharged
as now extended by law to sailors.
| The SPEAKER presented the reply of
the Congressional Printer to an inquiry
contained in the resolution of March 11th,
respecting the purchase of printing paper.
! Mr.. SCHOFIELD offered resolution in
structing the committee on Elections to re-
port whether Mr.. Hunt or Mr.. Chellicott,
claiming as delegates from Colorado, is
prima facie entitled to seat.