Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-02-26

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Gov. PIERroINT's s SPEECH TO THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY ON THE LATE ACTION OF CONGRESS-.
An informal meeting Of the members Of the
General Assembly was held in the Senate
chamber on Saturday, which was addressed by
Governor Pierpoipt, who was invited TO be
present. He said he did not intend to make a
speech, but that he had his views on the sub
iect of the late action of Congress, and was
that public man had a right to conceal his
opinions from the public. They had all seen
the act spoken Of It carefully abstained from
jntimating any mode by which a convention
should be organized to make a constitution
Ii gave the military no authority to organize
one. This Was logical, because the complaint
was that the governments ih other States South
were organized under military surveillance. 1t
did not entrust the movement to the provision
al governments now existing because they
might fold their arms and refuse to act and
thereby defeat the object of the bill. The mil
itary we're clothed with ample power to keep
the peace, and even suppress The existing civil
governments.
Some parties were relying on the Supreme
Court to declare the act unconstitutional. InIs
was ilIusory The Supreme Court had, some
forty days ago, delivered an opinion in the
Milligan case, and had gone out OF the record
and declared that Congress had no authority to
- IN fry
offenders. Congress had never authorized
military commission by law, but now, while the
words ofthis decisioa were fresh in the mouths
of the Judges, the Congress has passed the act
su horizing the commissions, which was as much
as 10 say, now we have authorized what you
have said is unconstitutional get it aside, if you
dare and the Supreme Court has considered
discretion the better part Of valor, and has
passed resolution for the present not to inter-
fere with political questions.
He said there were two ways to make the
constitution under this act of Congress. The
first is for all who desire to enter into the move
ment to hold their primary meetings in each
county, and elect delegates to central conven-
ton, where they will fix the number Of dele
gates and appoint their commissioners to super
intend the election Of delegates to the conVen-
ton 70 make constitution under the provl
sions OF the act.
The other mode was for this Legislature to
promptly pass an act providing tor holding a
convention undar the restrictions of this act OF
Congress. This course was opposed by some,
and it was proposed for them to fold their arms
in indifference, and take no action 10 the prem-
ses. He was in favor Of calling the convention
in the mode last indicated, because it would be
done under the forms OF law, and he thought
would be more likely to secure an acceptable
constitution with thiS new element in the body
polite, who were to participate In the elections
and government of the State. Ii the constitu-
ton was left to be made under the mode first
indicated they might get good constitution,
or they mi ght get very Unacceptable one-
He supposed under the act Of Congress there
was not more than five per cent. OF the white
voters excluded perhaps less. The great
body of the people had their lands, families
and debts, which they could pot leave; and it
was not, in his opinion, wise to say, because
some Of US cannot participate, none OF US Will.
He had determined long since, when ne could
not get all he wanted, to get the next best he
could. In conclusion he assured them IT they
did not provide for making constitution, one
would be made for them m-Rschn1Ond Lean.
CONGRESS. In the Senate, yesterday, Mr.
Patterson, of Tennessee, took occasion to an
nounce that he should not obey the resolutions
adopted by the Legislature cf his State request
log him to resign his seat. "A bill was reported
to consolidate the national debt and provide for
its payment. On motion of Mr.. Sherman, who
introduced it. the bill was laid over, so that it
goes to the new Congress, which meets on the
fourth of March. A bill was passed in relation
to the compensation of the officers OF the reVe-
nue. cutter service. The Senate refused to con-
cur in the House amendment to the bill tor the
relief Of certain iron-cad contractors, and asked
for committee of conference. The committee
circumference on the West Point bill made a re-
port, which was adopted. The bill making ap-
preparation for the repair and completion of GER
lain public works heretofore commenced occu-
pied the remainder ofthe morning session. At
the evening session, the bill was amended and
passed The committee of conference on the
civil and diplomatic bill made report, which
Vas coDcurred In.
Ia the House of Representatives, q number
OF new bills and resolutions we're introduced
A member of the judiciary committee an
nounced that bill would be reported, as soon
az there was possibility of having it consider.
ed, declaring eight hours legal day. work to1
all government employees in all u. S. work
shops A proposition to submit the bill tariff to
acommittee of conference was rejected, yeas 81,
nays ST. The House then went into commlttee
Of the whole and resumed the consideration
of the amended internal revenue bill After
adopting several amendments, the committee
!, rose and reported the bill to the House. Sepa-
rate votes were taken on severa! amendments
made in committee The one TO reduce dis
iers' licenses from $500 to 500 was agreed
to, as was also the one 10 prohibit gas
companies from charging the tax upon con
sumers after April 3Oth next-by vote O.
yeas 100, nays So The tax of fifty cents OF
brandy made ofgrapes was stricken out. Atte1
dsposing other amendments the bill wa
passed