The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-03-13
,o,,tcs tn Congress upon Recon-
structiou.
-. rrr SENATE on SUMMERS RESOLUTIONS.

.,l pNnlanatlOn OF ms RESOLUTIONS, assert
; 90, thai what they proposed met the sane
80, Of well-known loyalists of the South,
and was necessary TO just and loyal re-
instruction. While he was advocating
the fflh supposition, he was interrupted
~, Mr.. FESSENpES, who inquired IL he
t5ouzht piece of land for each man was
necessary to republican form Of govern
mcnt.
Nj. SUMNER did not think IL was. But
/, was necessary TO give piece Of land to
cach freedman, in order TO conclude the
glorious work of emancipation.
Mr.. GRIMES inquired where the Co
rcrnmen, would get the lands
Mr.. SUMNER said there were several
vayS of getting it. He would say nothing
rnw about confscation, though no thought
would have been wise policy to have di-
yied the large landed estates of the rebels
smong the freedmen. There were lands
lat had been sold for taxes in the South
that might be used for this purpose. But
a-obahly the best way was that which the
President could have carried ont If he had
been disposed TO do so. 1t was that Of re-
curing, as condition Of pardon, that the,
person pardoncd should assign portion of
lis lands TO his freedmen.
Mr.. DIXON said il was asserted that the
military reconstruction bill was to be q
final measure. 1t was asserted, too, that
FL was measure of paciication. This he
Ga not believe. 1t now appeared from
Mr.. SuMNER's resolutions that it was not a
anality. The fifth proposition meant uni
ycrSal confiscation IN the rebel States, and
he wished to call the attention of the Sc
nate and the country to it.
Mr.. SHERMAN regretted that this reso-
luton was being pressed at this time. He
hoped no further guarantees, such as were
proposed in this measure, would be agreed
to by any senator who voted in good faith
upon the military reconstruction bill.
That bill was being received and consider
cd by the southern people, and would be
acted upon favorably by them. He [Mr.
>urGWANl had just received letter from
Governor Patton, Of Alabama, to this effect.
He believed the terms of reconstruction
already agreed upon received the cordial
endorsement Of the country.
Nj. JOHNSON said he rose to contro-
yer; statement made by Mr.. Dixon that
the policy of Mr.. SUMMERS resolution
would sooner or later be adopted by the
dominant party in the two Houses Of Con-
cress. He mr.. JonNsoNl did not believe
Congress would depart from the conditions
of the bill recently passed. He had so
assured many leading men Of the South
with whom he had recently correspondent
on the subject. He believed that bill gave
ample protection TO all citizens of the
South, and ample guarantee 10 the GO
vcrned. lie implored the Senate to ad- |
here in good faith 10 the measure now be-
n the country, and not to think Of adopt |
ing a policy of coniiScation, which was GER
ain to end in a repetition of the horrors Of
&. Domingo.
Mr.. sen said that three |
# the points in these resolutions We're con-
aimed in the supplementary bill of Mr..
WILSON, which was now before the Judi
CARY Committee of the Senate. After a
few remarks in opposition to the resolu-
ions. he moved 10 lay them on the table,
lut subsequently withdrew that motion
ar the purpose Of allowing Mr.. SUMNER TO
reply to some of the arguments against his
proposition.
Mr.. SUMNER said the mistake made
by those who opposed his resolutions was
that of regarding the conditions contained
in them as burdens. 1t was no burden to
require education; it was no burden TO
give homestead to every freedman.
Mr.. HOWARD, preiacing his remarks
by saying that he supposed the resolutions
were intended as thesis for discussion
while the Senate had nothing else to do,
rather than as q measure of practical legls-
lation, proceeded to state his opinions of
the different propositions contained in the
resolutions. Some of them were contain
"a in a bill now under consideration in the
Judiciary Committee. He did not agree
to the third proposition. All that was re-
auisite in that particular was contained in
the reconstruction bill lately passed. He
looked upon the fifth proposition rs en-
,lgciy impracticable.
The resolutions were laid on the table,
only ten votes being cast against the mo-
ti0n.
IN THE HOUSE on WILSON'S BILL.
Mr.. WILSON, of Iowa, from the Judi
ciarv Committee, reported o bill supple
mentary to the act of ID March, for the
more efficient government of the rebel
States, and to facilitate restoration. 1t
directs the commanding general in each
district provided by that act to cause to be
made, before the first of September next,
a registration in each county or parish of
the male citizens Of the United States over
twcuty-one years of age, resident in each
county or parish, which registration shall
include only those persons who are quail
fed 10 vote for delegates by the act of I'd
March, and who shall have taken and sub
Scribed an oath that tGey are sincerely
and earnestly attached 10 the Union and
Government of the United States; that
they will steadfastly support the Constitu-
ton and obey the laws of the United States,
and that they will engage all others to such
support and obedience. When such re-
gis,raton shall have been completed, and
copies thereof returned TO the command
ing general, the general commanding
shall within thirty days thereafter, cause
an election to be held for delegates to
frame State constitutions, to reestablish
civil governments loyal TO the Union there
in, and to pass all needful ordinances for
putting such constitution and government
into operation. The constitution is TO be
adopted by majority of the registered
voters, and, on its approval by Congress,
senator's and representatives are TO be ad-
mitted from such State.
Mr.. WOOD declared that the bill con-
tanned principles which no true republican
could assent to. The existing laws gave to
The provisional governments, recognized as
now operating in the southern States, the
power TO initiate preparatory proceedings
for calling conventions and establishing
State governments. The effect of this bill
would be 10 place that power entirely in
the hands Of the military. 1t was to esta-
blish a government for those States, as
Louis Napoleon established an empire for
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