Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-01-15


Second That Congress thus repsesent
ing but a part Of people, and that part
now in MINORITY, even if fun Congress,
in the parlia:ssntary sense of that word,
would be bat one OF the three great
branches of the government, with no right,
no power tojinvaIidate or deny the recog-
milton of judiciate and executive power as
asserted in the bill the executive or Judi
ciaTy has as much right to proclaim or adj
Indicate that Congress shall not be recog-
nized, as Congress has thus 10 enact, for
executive and Judiciary both are as much
the government and the creation Of the
constitution az The House of Representa-
tives or Senate; and as the executive is
elected by the whole people, better repre-
sents principles of popular government
than Senate, the mere arbitrary creation
Of the States.
Third. That the invalidation or nnllffi-
cation ofthe executive and judicial powers
in ten States is not only an abolition of
the Federal constitution, but is in direct
conflict with the military acts of 1892,
1875, and March 8, 1867, putting the army
and navy and militia Of the United States,
in certain cases, at the disposal Of the
President; also in conflict with the judi-
ciary act of 1899 also in conflict with
article 4, section of the constitution,
which, while it guarantees to every State
republican form Of government, also
guarantees, on application to the civil
authorities of the States, protection against
domestic violation or invasion of such
rights as are contemplated in the bill.
Fourth. That the second and third sec
ton are in utter violation of the constitn.
tuition, article two and section two, which
declares that the President shall be Com
mander-in-Chie Of the army of the United
States, inasmuch az General of the army
is there authorized TO be Commander-in-
Chief and to remove, by his order aloae,
any and all officers of the United States
army, independent Of the constitution and
the people who elect the Commander-in-
Chief, and this investure of a General of
the army with this supreme dictatorship
is as il in solemn mockery set forth to
reorganize civil governments, republican
in form. f..rl ..--.- .--.... e r.
Fifth. That the whole act is revolution
airy ard ineendiary, in arrayiug Congress,
which is but one branch of the governs
ment, against the coordinate branch, in
all respects the constitutional equal of
Congress, and in some respects the constr
tutional superior of Congress, and thereby
calculated, if not intended, to involve the
whole country in commotian and civil
strife, the end of which no human eve can
foresee.
Messrs. Brooks, Of New York Beck. of
Kentucky, and Boutwell, called attention
to the fact that in the minority report
reference was made to the Reconstruction
COMMITTEE so-called. He regarded that
expression as indecorous to the House.
Mr.. Brooks said he had used that ex-
preston because the civil governments in
some of the Northern States were spoken
of as so-called civil governments. He
would, however, strike that word out of
the report. Mr.. Brooks continued his re-
marks in opposition to the bill. Is
Mr.. Bingham explained and advocated
the bill as clearly constitutional as any act
passed by Congress. 49, - ~
During his remarks, Mr.. Eldridge asked
whether the bill did not detract from
the powers of the Executive.
Mr.. Bingham replied that the President,
as Commander-in-Chief, was subject to such
laws as Congress might pass for the gov
eminent of the army and navy. Mr..
Bingham considered his remarks.
Mr.. Loan spoke in favor of the bill.
Mr.. Wood obtained the floor, but yielded
on motion to adjourn.
The Speaker presented communication
from the General Of the army, with tele-
gram from Major General Meade, COM
manding the third district, az follows
Unless the pending bill in Congress, d.
recting military commanders to fill Offices
in the State under their command rescinds
the test oath, in provision to select qualified
voters, | am informed that its execution in
this district will be practically impractica-
BILE
Mr.. Brooks characterized it as a novelty
legislation, for the head Of the army had to
transmit dispatch for the purpose of in
huencing the action of the House. The
communication was referred to the Com
mittee on Reconstruction.
Mr.. Ashley, of Ohio, gave notice of an
amendment to the reconstruction bill, au-
thorizing the State conventions to en-
franchise all citizens now DISTINGUISHED.
who may cooperate with loyal men in
restoring their States to constitutional re.
lahons to the government. ~