New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-02-14
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.


The House resumed the consideration 81 the bill re-
ported by M Stevens, from the Reconstruction Commit
tee for the establishment Of Military Governments in the
South.
Mr. VAN HORN Rep., y. " addressed the House lie
argued the cgality Of the governments set up in the
lately rebcuous States, that they without any
authority Of law and being under the control OF those
who were the leaders Of the Rebellion they could not and
be recognized by Congress. lie argued that the
right TO act by Congress in reGstabHshug loyal govern
ments in those States beyond any question: and the
duty was imperative.
Nj. STEVENS (Rep., Pa withdrew the motion TO re-
commit the bin in order that he might submit some
amendments which he explained. Among them was q
substitute for the second section by which Congress ltse
directly detailed five general officers 10 command In the
several military Districts proposed TO he organized
Mr. GARFIELD rep; Ohio suggested That IT was not
Mr. STEVENS said that he had tried yainy 10 satisfy
the views Of gentlemen around him. but finding that he
could do so he withdrew the proposition 10 amend the
Mr. BouTwELL Rep., Mass) then took the floor TO
ironrety OF passing the bill In the course OF his re-
marks he said that II It should happen that the Supreme
might declare that the ten states lately In rebellion were
States in the Union, and were entitled to all the rights
and privileges Of states, ana should base ther dech
ton any act OF Congress then those states we're re
stored far as the Judiciary could restore them 10 tne
position n the Government, and nothing renamed 10
Congress and the people except to accept that conclusion
as binding, or else to enter INTO an lndesclDaDe ana um
gcrOus controversy with the Chief Judiciary OF the ahd
IT, however, this bill became law and was put III opera
the Court would nave no capacity 10 sec
those ten States any civil government; therefore Tor
Judicial purposes II could state, and Congress
would keep in hands the political reorganization
OF these States. lie held this bin 10 De In It's present
form Of vital importance 10 the future welfare OF INC
country. 10 would keep IN the hands OF Congress ana IN
the hands Of the people control of the question when
question was whether those ten States should be admitted
utO the Union under the lead and control OF dsloya
men, or under the lead and influence OF loyal men. hht
question comprehended in its relations the proposition
whether these States should be for indefinite period OF
tmc-five, ten, twenty years-dislOyal States, or
whether they should be loyal members of the Union
Mr.. DAWES rep Mass) suggested the question az 10
whether the establishment Of military Governments IN
the South was consistent with the constitutional duty I'M
posed upon Congress TO guarantee TO each state repuD
| ilcan form Of government
| Mr. BOUTWELL, said the question was very proper
one and he would try to IL before he took MS scat
Mi. ELDRIDGE Dem, Wis., inquired OF MI: BOutWeI
whether the bill secured the right OF trial IN Capita"
/ Offenses, before juries.
| Mr. BOUTWELL, admitted that II did not.
Mr.. ELDRIDGE then inquired further II that was NOV
I'm direct opposition 10 and violation Of the ConsttutO
which provides that party charged with crime shouu
have the right TO tal by ny and opportunity tocoh-
| front the witnesses against him. a.,
Mr. BOUTWELL, replied that the power OF congress W
suspend the privilege Of the writ of habeas corpus Ma
not confined 10 periods Of rebellion or invasion. ny
power arose az such periods but IL did not cease 10 eA
of rebellion or invasion had passed by ana no lohse,
remained The people OF these ten states were 10 dhy o
civil government, had Dceh declutu -
the Executive Department Of the GOyernneni rs wei 90
affirm In the bill, hut were also In that e0ndltO WEN
IL was the power Of Congress 10 suspend lhe 70
of the writ Of habeas corpus. Though the war Was IA
gpgeT 1s0spl tbsIs, W effects add sonssSSsls ASs