The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-03-16
Dcbate tn thc Senate ON supplement.
tary RecouStructioR Bill.


hc third section a provision that at the
Election provided Cor in the preceding Sec
SONS the registered voters OF each State
san vote On the question of holding q
STATE convention and forming constitu-
tom. Those in favor Of the convention
shall have written or printed on their bal
10, "for a convention" y; those opposed
shall have "againSt a convention" written
or printed on their ballots. The persons
sppoiuted 10 superintend the election shall
make returns Of the votes for and against.
The commanding general, to whom the
same shall be returned, shall ascertain the
total vote, and If majority of the whole
number Of those in any State shall have
voted for such convention, il shall he
held. If a majority shall have voted
against the convention, no such convention
shall hc held.
Mr.. DRAKE said he did not like the
provision OF the bin as reported on this
>nhicct. 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 Ia be tine wishes of the people,
bat that the people themselves should by
their votes directly declare their wishes
on that subject.
Mr.. TRUMBULL said the Judiciary
Committee. had considered proposition
similar to that now introduced by Mr..
DRAKE. But they had concluded that it
was best as now in the bill. Frauds were
eiIectually guarded against by the provi-
sion that the Constitution must be ratified
by a majority of the registered voters.
He hoped the bin would be passed as it
came from the Judiciary Committee. If
many amendments were adopted it would
be incongruouS.
Mr.. DRAKE replied to Mr.. TRUMBULL,
arguing the necessity for guarding the
southern people against the possibility OF
betrayal into the adoption Of constitution
against their wishes. The very men who
had mislcd those people during the last six
wears were now ready TO miSlcad them
again.
MIR. FRELINGHUYSEN believed there
was sufficient security in the provision
recurring the consent of a majority of the
registered voters 10 the formation Of
constitution.
Mr.. HOWARD hoped Mr.. DRAKE's
amendment would he adopted as a neces-
Sary protection to getting full expression
of the popular voice. The bill recently
passed holds out a proposition by accept
ing which the southern States may be
rehabilitatcd and restored TO their rights.
He thought ii proper 10 bring the know
ledge of these terms to the whole people
OF the South, and he knew of no better
way Of doing this than by submitting 10
thcmthc question whether they were willing
10 comply with them.
Mr.. TESSENDEN liked the proposition
in this bill which required registration ot
the voters and secured the free exercise OF
the right Of voters 10 all who were entitled
TO il. But he did not think it ought to be
made the duty OF q commanding officer TO
call a convention. That ought to be left to
the people. The President was denounced
for thrusting upon the people OF the South
constitutions 10 which they had not given
their assent. He did not think that men
who called this uSurpation in the President
should favor the compulsory formation OF
constitutions now. His mode would be to |
get the registration first, and put it into the
hands Of the provisional governors. When |
the provisional governors expressed de- |
sire to call a convention, then the COM
handing general should DO what is re- !
qulrcd of him 10 assemble il. He thought |
il very essential that there should be no
forcing OF the people into the formation of
a constitution. He would wish them nei- |
thyr 10 be forced into the Union again nor
kept cut Of il lorciDly. The Union party
had agreed upon terms upon which they
could come back, and it ought to be left
entirely To them TO act of their own accord.
Mr.MORTON was opposed to submitting
the question of convention or no conven-
tiou 20 the rebels at all in the beginning.
Ii two-IAirds Of the lawful voters of the
South were not in favor of convention,
lei them stay at home; but let them not
he able 10 defeat the work of recOnStruc-
ton. Let the convention be held and the
constitution formed. 1t is quite enough
for them to have 4 voice in the ratification
Of the constitution after it is formed.
Mr.. HOWARD contended for the right
of Congress, at such time and in such
manner as it saw fit, 10 restore the rebel
States. He was not in such hurry to
complete the work as 10 admit a State
without a clear and free expression of the
will of the majority Of its citizens. A mi
uority government could not exist in this
country and if any State contained ma
jority opposed TO returning 10 the Union,
he was Tor keeping il out till doomsday, or
till the people rcpented in dust and ashes
of their crimes.
Mr.. STEWART supported the bill as it
came from the Judiciary Committee, be-
Heving il to meet all requirements and to
need no amendments.
Mr.. JOHNSON did not believe the Go
vcrnment could subsiSt long with ten States
out OF the Union. 1t was the duty of Con-
rrass 10 hasten the work of reconstruction
on this account.
Mr.. BRAKES amendment was disagreed
to-yeas, IL nays, q.
Mr.. DRAKE moved to amend the fourth
section by adding the following proviso:
"Prouided, That no such constitution
shall be considered as emitting the State
for which it was framed TO such represent
alton, unless it provide that at all elections
for State, county, or municipal officers
the electors shall vote by closed ballot, and
such mode Of voting shall never be changed
without the assent of Congress-"
While Mr.. DRAKE was advocating his
amendment he was interrupted by
Mr.. CONKLING, who inquired: sup
pose they should adopt constitution in
which they should insert this provision,
and after their representatives are admitted,
on the next occasion, on revising their
constitution, should strike out that provi-
sion and substitute provision ordaning
UiUd U0ce voting, what was Mr.. DRAKE or
what was Congress going 10 do about it
Mr.. DRAKE replied that If they form
constitution with this provision in 1t, and
aiterward violate it, they will have vio-
lated an express stipulation In their con