The New York herald., 1868-05-14

icicfIcu tO tue COilIIttte Oh MITES ana MlnluR.
Mr.. JOHNSON believed that under the law the Sec
retary OF the Treasury not obliged to send the
report to Congress, and that he was not therefore,
liable to censure for the failure 10 send it, The SEN
ator from California Mr. Conness could offer reso-
luton asking for 1t.
Mr.. CONFESS agreed that the Secretary was not
obliged to furnish 1t, but he would decline 10 offer
the resolution. He remembered that that gentleman
denounced this body as body or constitution tink-
other
Mr.. JOHNSON then proposed to offer suitable re-
Mr.. SHERMAN objected and the resolution was re-
ferred to the Committee on Mines and Mining.
CHANGE OF NAME OR LOCATION OF NATIONAL BANKS
OCEAN NAIL STEAMSHIP SERVICE.
Mr. RAMSEY introduced a bill to provide for the
change OF name or location Of bank under the
banking laws Of the United States, which was re-
authorize the establishment OF ocean mail service by
American steamships between the United States and
United States and the Mediterranean ports OF Asia
and Africa, which was referred to the Committee on
Post Offices and Post Roads.
RESTORATION OF SOUTHERN STATES.
Mr WILSON introduced joint resolution to restore
Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia,
Louisiana and Florida 10 representation in Congress-
which was referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Mr. SHERMAN. lrep) OF Ohio, called up the bill to
admit the State OF Arkansas to representation In Con-
gress He stated that its speedy passage was neces
sary 10 the peace and prosperity OF the country,
which was In very unsettled condition, with q
Legislature elected but without authority. He
hoped the bill would be passed, the people Of the
State having complied with the prescribed condi-
JlOnS.
Mr.. TRUMBuLL said he believed the bill set forth
several facts in relation to the ratification Of the
stutional amendments by the Legislature, aud that
the constitution was republican in form. This, which
he considered very gratifying, he believed to be the
case. He had read In the newspapers that such
was was the fact. He would be glad to see all the
at the earliest practicable moment consistent
with the safety OF the country. He had not
looked at this BILL however, and rose to inquire
whether the Committee on Finance, Of which the
Senator from Ohio Is chairman have examined this
subject. He was not aware that they had it under
consideration and would ask whether the Senator
proposed that measure 80 important the recog-
milton OF government in state when the relations
to the United States have been disturbed for several
years. should pass the Senate without reference TO
committee or any examination as to the facts and
merely upon an individual expression Of opinion,
which, although 1t might he accurate, yet might pos
Sibly be mistaken.
Mr.. SHERMAN replied that it did not seem neces-
sary to refer the bill to the Judiciary Committee,
which would be the only proper reference they had
the official documents containing the proceedings OF
the Arkansas Legislature and showing the ratlica-
tion Of the constitutional amendment by both
branches on April 3, 1868, by unanimous vote.
The official copy of the constitution had also been
transmitted to them by the President of the United
States. He (Mr. Shernan) had read it as carefully
as any Senator could, and that the report OF
the General OF the Army giving the details of
could examine The report showed that the cOndi-
ton Of affairs in Arkansas demands instant action
There was a total absence Of law. and the Legis.
lature, though now in session. had no power until
Congress ratlfed the constitution under the recon-
structon acts. II there were any other facts than
those established by the official record he did not
know OF them.
Mr. JOHNSON, (dem.) OF Md reminded the Senator
that when this constitution was submitted To the
Senate by the President they engaged upon the
trial, which had engrossed almost their sole atten
tiOn, and he did not believe a dozen Senators had
read 1t. While 1t might be true that the condition of
affairs in Arkansas required change for the better
the only information they had was from the General
Of the Army and they should not take the statement
OF any officer, however patriotic and reliable, as
conclusive. IL might be true, alsO that the
constitution conformed to the reconstruction
acts and was republican in form but these points
Senators might well differ and he thought the only
proper way was to follow the usual course and refer
the bill to the Committee on the Judiciary or some
o her suitable committee. No possible harm could
result from delay of few days. Did the Senator
suppose there would be many Outrages perpetrated
In week If the adoption OF the constitution was de-
layed for that timer But, whatever might be
the result, If the Senate should now ad-
init two additional Senators, the public would say,
and perhaps would have some reason to speculate
upon the result that they to constitute part
OF the court Of impeachment He took 1t for granted
that no member OF the Senate contemplated such
state OF things; but If admitted they might claim
the right under the constitution, and might
satisfy the majority that they had that right,
whereupon their votes would be given. No
person., controlled by a sense of justice or
proprlety, woult consent TO this, and he only
toned IL to show that II would give rise to this ss-
pcion OF the public. 1t would be in his judgment
derogatory to the character OF the senae for that
reason only he had called attention to IT,
Mr.. DIXON, repl OF Conn, urged the same con-
sideraions as put forward by Mr. Johnson as well
that senator's do not without consideration pass
upon the important questions involved in this con-
stitution, such as the prohb lion for all time to
make any change in the right Of suffrage &C
Mr.. SHERMAN wished very positively 10 disclaim
any purpose of passing this bill in order TO Obtain
two votes up the trel there was not the slightest
doubt that me Dill would be retained by the President
at least until Monday, perhaps for ten days He
repeated the consideration adduced before in regard
to the disturbed condition of Arkansas in the al
sence of all law, since those lately in authority were
now powerless and the Legislature could pass no
law until Congress ratified the Constitution. He
would vote TO refer the bill to the judiciary Commit
tee If there was any necessity for 1t.
but the only doubt that seems to be
raised was in regard to the legality OF the
ever could not change the result an that vote was
legal beyond doubt, as had been shown by the Oil
Ger sent to investigate the facts The registers acted
nent In accepting the votes Of those registered any
where in the State No political object could be ef-
do no farm re Willie no good could result iga 9om
day He felt the earnestness OF the representations
Of citizens OF that state to him IN regard to the
Mr.. EDMUNDs believed after examination that the
constitution was in proper form and that the State
should be admitted under It: but In view of the i'm
portance Of the subject, lie would not give excuse for
by hasy action, and thought that all the
forms should therefore be complied with, although
and security. To act upon this matter without |
to u committee would be Unprecedented: |
NC Se wor dem q" ae n M
In Its proper sense. They should SO act as to defy |
CRITICISM In RECORD TO the admission OF these states
f asS @ aa S n ccasoi
would not be bound by the c6nstit6ucn 10 exam
me IL. -. 7
IN Mr; r. EBU6KALEw, (dem.) Of Pay called attention to
tliutjon 'las was mere Yss Question Wheeler the con.
80. which the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Shermanl
,ianed the registers In certain places had received
votes of persons registered anywhere in the State
was passed bpt tw dsys before the election 50
act had none other than despatch upon which
hey acted. Mr.. Buckalew quoted lroM tle report
II General Giem TO these points, ~ y" -'-
Mr.. SHERMAN replied, quoting again from the re.
port Of the officer who investigated the alleged
rauds TO the effect that the registers had allowed
persons 10 vote under the act Of Congress OF March
asst after Consultation, and after having received III
Of 1t. He said the whole number OF regis
ered votes was less than the surplus voters, 50 that
he result could not be changeI -. -.,----
Mr.. MORTON Irep.) of H.. said the o'icia evidence |
soud be read IN few minutes but perhaps II would
not he proper To pass the bill to-day and he should
prefer To have IL lay until Monday, when doubt
ess IL could be passed In q very snort time. The |
character OF the remarks OF the senator (Mr. John
sony showed what Use would he made ol