The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-03-22
rho Debate on the siiii for the Eelfef
OF the south.
n the House ot Representatives, Wed.

v-t,
OF ,he south.
= the House OF Representatives, We'd
ne>iay, u,,,.,p ut, -, a.
o,5 stated that there were two controlling
Sa,,his resting on lis mind in reference 10
No nropoSItion. The first was as to the
Constitutional power Of Congress to appro-
,riste money SIS a simple, naked. unquali-
led charity. The second was as to the
grrncv through which il was proposed that
us charity should be administered. He
n,Scd in vain through the provisions of
,re Constitution for any express or implied
sn,hority to pass this bill. Referring to
chat ne called the sueering allusion of Mr..
peTIrR some days since TO strict construc-
,.-ists Of the Constitution, he declared
,,s he gloried in the character of stern,
hid uncompromising, strict construction
IL IL there were not this question OF
,so,iitutional power in the way, there was
:. member OF the House who would more
rlerriully vote for this bill than himself,
cy.a if il appropriated five times the
oraant. Besides, il was not clear to his
,,sra that the people Of the South would
a-rfpt the charity, and he was not in favor
- rlacing Congress in tho ridiculous posi-
ton of holding whip OF scorpions in one
hand. and the good Samaritan's cruise Of
oJ IN the other. III be were . southern
man. under the circumstances in which
flat people were now placed by Congress,
b, would perish by slow starvation rather
than touch one cent Of this congressional
bounty. What that people wanted was,
no, bread, but Justice. Let them have all
!, .,t nd I.y tab
care of themselves, aud neither need nor
solicit aims.
Mr. FERNANDO WOOD presented six
reasons why he should vote against the
Joint resolution. These we're:
First. There was no power, under the
Constitution, TO appropriate public money
for charitable purposes.
Second. Neither the southern States nor
people have applied to Congress or the Co.
vcIument for such aid.
Third. The arguments advanced here
in favor of the appropriation by those who
have participated in passing measures de-
structve of the political rights of the
southern States place the gift proposed on
grounds insulting and derogatory.
Fourth. Because the money will be dis
hurscd through the agency of the Freed
mems Bureau, whose agents in many cases
are not only not safe custodians of public
money, but are disqualified by prejudice
.gainst the white people of the South to
make an impartial distribution of funds
Or charitable purposes.
Fifth. Because the sudden philanthropy
those who propose this measure at this
ne, Immediately preceding the southern
eCtionS, is calculated 10 excite suspicious
At political, and not benevolent, motives
at the bottom of the proposition.
sixth. Because the Freedmen's Bureau
YES already over S2,l00,000 TO its credit
expended, which can be used by its
If 10 relieve any cases Of actual want
ii may exist among the southern people.
Either Of those reasons, he said, would
..egcul him voting for the joint resolution.
Nr. BINGHAM then moved to add to
,.e proviso offered by Mr.. BANKS directing
rat 900 of the amount shall be used
H., the purchase and distribution of seeds)
o. additional proviSo that no part of the
money appropriated in the joint resolution
shall be used until the uneXpended appro-
pria,iouS heretofore made for food, by eX-
listing laws, for the use of the Freedmen's
Bureau, shall be first applied to the pur-
pose specified, under the direction of the
commissioner OF that bureau.
A running debate took place between
NeSSrS. BINGHAM, STEVENS, LOGAN, GAR
Held, SCIENCE, PILE, boutwell,, and
cher members, in which MeSsrS. SCHENCK
.d STEVENS argued that the Freedmen's
bureau had now sufficient authority to re-
1--we distress in the South and that the
beet of this bill was merely TO give aims
sturdy rebels; which position Mr.. BING-
aui denied, arguing that the term Gre
gees " only applied to persons who were
driven from their homes.
Mr.. PILE proposed substitute autho-
,zug the Secretary of War, through the
.reedmen'S Bureau, TO extend the diStri-
alton of food and clothing authorizedto
b. issued to refugees and freedmen in the
rebel States so as TO include any destitute
women or children, or helpless aged per-
sons.
Mr.. BINGHAM appealed to Mr.. PILE
not 10 limit it in that manner, but TO let 1t
apply to all destitute persons.
Mr.. PILE suggested that it did in
Clude women, children, and helpless aged
persons.
Mr.. BINGHAM Indignantly demanded
vi NJ i lie NullIlIl It IhSahb " SOY tiAos
men OF middle age should be left to perish.
If 50, he would throw down the gauntlet
and defy him.
Mr.. PILE had no objection to modify his
amendment as the gentleman Mr.. BING-
HAM suggested.
The CHAIRMAN stated that Mr.. PILES
amendment waSnot pending.
Mr. BINGHAM moved that the COM
mittee rise, in order that he might move,
in the House, to close debate.
Mr.. DONNELLY suggested proviso,
that the total amount to be expended for
food should not exceed one million of dol
lars, unless it became apparent TO the com
missioner Of the Freedmen's Bureau that
further expenditures were absolutely ne
ceSsary TO save men, women, and children
from death by starvation.
The committee rose, and then Mr.. STE
VEINS moved that the House adjourn.
The vote was taken by yeas and nays,
and resulted-yeas, SO; nays, 81.
The House thereupon, at quarter-past
four, adjourned.