The New York herald., 1868-06-09
THE F0RTIETH CONGRESS.
Second Session.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, June S, fs6


PETITIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
nupber OF petitions for removal of political dis
abilities were presented.
Mr.. WILLIAMS trep.) OF oregon, introduced joint
resolution authorizing the Special Commissioner Of
Revenue to act as superintendent OF the Bureau Of
Statistics in the Office of the Secretary OF the Trea-
sury and to abolish the oce OF Director Of the Bu-
rean Of IS Statistics which 01 was referred srn H.,
on Naval Affairs, reported resolution to restore
Captain James F. Armstrong from the retired to the
active list which was passed.
ADMISSION OF THE SOUTHERN STATES.
At the expiration OF the morning hour the PREsI.
pro tenn. announced the special order the bill
to admit North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia,
Louisiana and Florida and the the pending bill was
laid aside.
SALE OF THE HARpER's FERRY PROPERTY.
Mr.. CONKLING, trep) OF n. Y. by permission called
up the joint resolution to provide for the removal Of
county, West Virginia to the Circuit Court OF the
United States. II authorizes the Judge of said United
application of the defendant for such removal. He
explained that 1t relates to portion OF the Harpers
Ferry property, the sale of which was recently au-
| Mr.. HENDRICKS opposed the resolution, claiming
that Congress has no power to authorize the transfer
and moved to refer the same to the Committee on
| the Judiciary.
Mr.. WILEY, (rep) OF W. Va, recounted the cir
one Mr.. Brown, OF said county, against Captain
Young, now in charge OF the property that it has
been postponed for the purpose OF this application,
States which prevents q fair trial.
The motion OF Mr.. Hendricks was rejected.
Mr. BUCKALEw (dem.) OF Pa, opposed the resolu-
tion. He suspected that some unexplained private
interest was involved, and he claimed that 10 was
unprecedented for Congress to order the transfer OF
| CONSIDERATION OF THE SOUTHERN STATES BILL RE-
SUMED.
The resolution was then adopted and the con-
sideration Of the special order was resumed. The
question was the amendment OF Mr.. Wilson, trep
OF Mass, TO include Alabama In the provisions OF the
Mr.. vIcKERs tdcm.) Of Nd. took the floor in oppo-
sition Mr.. vckers made long speech, mainly on
the constitutional power0 OF Congress TO impose con-
dtons upon the admission of States, the existence
Of which he denied, except az granted in the pro-
eide whether state is republican form, in regard
to which he claimed that its powers are limited by
the constitution lie also reviewed the whole sub
ect OF reconstruction denouncing the legality and
the results OF the Congressional plan.
Mr.. SALISBURY, tdem.l OF De said his friend had
not been long in this body or he would be aware that
In the mind Of the majority the constitution is an old
instrument with no binding force. Every one on
this moor knew that the constitution gave no right
to Congress to impose any conditions lie called
the bill total abandonment OF the cardinal prnci-
pies Of the faith Of the republican party. II the
by the senator from Maine (Mr. MroriD let them be
brought back; but 1t should be expressed In the
Of Of admission to representation. e' What power,
he asked, had Congress to prevent those
ee' thew chose when once ' admitted He had
supposed he knew something OF constitutional law
until this new, glorious party OF reform ana moral
ideas up under the satesmanlike leadership OF
the senator from Massachusetts, fr. WILSON, and the
Senator from Ohio tMr. Wade). He thought no free
dom or reform could exist In the government with
out the participation OF Mr. Sambo This party, that
claimed TO be the great advocate of freedom fspeech
the only party that had suppressed newspaper.
In their Chicago Convention they had made great APP
peals for retrenchment distinguished from the ex-
travagance OF Andrew Johnson Who was
hep Their own President, made so by
themselves. He tMr. Salisbury considered all
these matters as merely ad tntertn.. legislation,
which wonld meet the condemnation OF the people
in November next. He warned them that this un-
wise legislation which will put the negro in power
in the South may create there the same state Of
things that has existed here, In midnight murders
and riots In the capital OF the nation.
Mr.. MORTON, rep.) OF Ind, warned the two last
speakers not to commit themselves In this matter OF
negro suffrage as on the 4th OF July next the pros
pect Ia that they will be placed on the platform OF
universal suffrage and universal amnesty. Laugh
teri
Mr. NyB rep.) OF Nevada, suggested that perhaps
they would keep or the platform while the cars are
In motion, iLaughter.l