Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-20
CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT
The Efforts at oonciIiOtion-A state

Correspondents Of the Cincinnati Commercial.
WASHINGTON, Feb 16.-The reported
compromise or conference, rather, which
has been going on between the President
and certain Republican COngressmen, has
continued 10 excite the deepest interest To-
day in all quarters, in as well as ont Of
Congress
The impression which it has created may
he Judged from the action Of tie House To-
day.
Mr. Wentworth submitted as a question
of privilege, involving, as he said, the
honor, purity and Independence Of the
House, long preamble and resolution,
reciting that il had been for some time
rumOred, and has at last been asserted in
public newspapers, that certain members Of
the House have been holding private
meetings with view 10 a corrupt bargain,
pledging themselves to act adversely to the
report OF the Judiciary Committee on the
question Of impeachment, if unfavorable 10
the President and also TO act adversely to
certain other measures pending before the
House, 20 which they had been hitherto
favorable, provided that the President do
certain things to which he has hitherto de-
clared himself hostile and refrain from
doing certain other things 10 which he has
hitherto declared himself favorable to
and giving instruction % the Judiciary
Committee 10 Inquire into the fact whether
such meetings had taken place, and such
corrupt bargains been made; what persons
have carried communication from such
members 70 the President and from the
President 60 them the nature of commu-
nicatlons, etc, and 10 report such resolu-
ilOns for the action Of the House as the
committee may deem necessary for the
preservation ITS honor and independence
This was adopted 10y a vote Of so 60 Al,
and Inasmuch a. this committee will pro
Ceed at once 10 their work, il has been
deemed proper by those participating in
the efforts az compromise, TO furnish, for
publication, the facts in the premises. in
order that the public may have a correct
idea of the situation
In the first place, the conference was not
proposed by the President, nor by any
member or Senator in Congress. The pro-
position was suggested by intermediate
parties holding no official position.
They went 10 leading Republican Con
gresham Of their own yolition. and posi-
lively without the knowledge Of the Presi-
dent, and stated that from their recent in
formation and conversations with the Ex-
oCutiVe, they were satisfied that by slight
mutual concessions, without any sacrifice of
principle, Congress could present a plan Of
reconstruction towhich the President would
readily give his assent
At first the members of Congress were
not disposed to take them in consdera-
tion, on the ground that the President had
authorized no such proposition 10 be made.
But on second consideration a meeting of
twenty or thirty was called, at which the
medlating parties we're present. A detailed
conversation resulted in showing unmis-
tatably that nothing short Of the ratifca-
tion of the pending constitutional amend
ment, and the adoption ofuniver7al sufIrags
10y the Southern States, would secure re
construction and entitlc them 10 represen
tatlon AZ Congress; that, in fact, nothing
else would be acceptable 10 Congress.
This conclusion was reported at once to
the President, who stated, in reply, that he |
was willing, in order 10 secure a settlement
Of the question, TO yield his position and |
favor the ratification Of the pending CON |
autntlOnal amendment, and, i'm addition. 10 |
exact suffrage of the Southern States AZ an |
additional condition precedent to their /
representation ln Congress. The President |
did not lay any stress as 10 whether he IA |
yured impartial or universal suffrage, but /
distinctly inlimated that the differences be-
tween the two would not prove material.
The Presidents conclusions were then
reported iu turn TO those Congressman, who
were earnestly assured that they had been
correctly given. II was then suggested |
that an interview be had at once with the
President, and that a committee of the
members be appointed TO see Mr.. johnson
aud learn from him personally these re-
ported declarations.
A committee then waited on the Presi-
dent aud hc substantially repeated the /
tatCment which lac had made to the me- |
diators. This was reported 10 all Of the |
members at a second meeting who were /
present Al the first one, and il was looked |
upon as being conclusive. The fact of the /
President having stated his concessions was
TO between sixty and seventy
members on the Republican side Of the
House, and nearly every one stated that
they would vote for a bill embodying them |
If IL could be brought before the House.
II there is any point in doubt Of the
whole matter, II is the question as to whe-
ther universal or impartial suffrage shall
Ice required IN connection with the consti-
mtional amendment The way in which
the argument is 20 be carried ont is now
being illustrated in the protracted session
of the Senate, where the Blaine amendment
ls pending, and which is virtually the plan
the President is declared 10 have accepted.
should the Senate adopt it, and it is
agreed 10 by the House, the President is
afforded the opportunity Of making good
The representation which he has given 30
The members.
la any event il Is expected that the
views of the President will be communi-
Gated 70 Congress in message either ap-
proving or yetoing the reconstruction
bill.
Among the Republicans who have been
present at the time of the conferences |
alluded 20 are Mcssr7. Banks, Blair. Hodge, |
Bingham, Delano, Huhhell, Of Ohio, Ket-
cham, Of New York, and others of equal
prominence The statements above given
lre derived from prominent and strictly re-
5pousible sources and may be relied on.