The Portland daily press., 1868-03-27

Mr.. johnson said the proceeding was on four
grounds, viz, disturbing the public peace; IN
citing instruction; libelling the General OF
the army, and obstructlng the recons!ruo.ion
acts Mr.. johnson said the Constitution pro-
Yided that the habeas corpus Tho Snnreme
suspended in time of peace. Inc ouPrSme
Court had decided in the Muiligan case That
the military courts could n9e Try cNiilan
when npace prevailed in the United States.
Mr. Trumbull believed that the law of 1857
vas nassed chiefly for the protection of col
ored citizens in the South from oppression.
Mr. johnson replied that it was comprehen-
sve in character and covered all such cases.
He entertained no doubt that in the opinion
OF the Supreme Court the case was before
them under the act of 1867. He had great
confidence In the ability of the Chief Justice,
who, he SAID, had made that point clear. He
regretted the passage of the bill without suf-
hcent knowledge on the part of the Senators,
who, IT they had understood it, would have
opposed 1t, and in eulo sising the Supreme
Cour; said that the Supreme Court must hold
10 their authority to decide upon the constltu-
tionality of the laws or prove recreant 10 Their
trust. If Congress were lett totally unre-
stricted despotism would certainly result.
Mr.. Salisbury remarked that Congress, to
reach solitary case, were seeking to repeal
tire inestimable privilege of the habeas corpus.
If Congress insisted on keeping leaden cloud
of despotism over the South the high court of
the people would in November set aside its
verdict
Mr.. Bayard said the bill, if passed, would do
nothing less than stamp out the existing rights
of American citizens.
MIR. Buckalew spoke in opposition to the
blll, and lmplored the party in power not to
lay sacrelglous hands on the temple of Justice.
The bill was then passed over the veto by a
vote of 80 to o.
The Chair appointed committee of confer
ence on the tax bill, and the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Hubbard of Ct, presented remonstrance
against stamping cigars.
The consideration OF the Pacific Railroad
tariff was resumed.
After desultory discussion the previous ques-
ton was ordered and some fillibustering COM
menced. The bill was finally referred to the
Pacific Railroad Committee by vote of SO to
so.
Mr.. Latin, from the Committee on Printing
reported resolutions for printing 1890 copies
of j. Ross Browns report on mineral re-
sourcess for the use of the House, and 800 |
copies OF the report of the commission on lite |
saving inventions for the use of the Treasury |
Department. The resolutions were adopted |
though not without considerable opposition as |
regards Mr.. Browns report.
MIR. Washburne of Illinois, called up the |
motion made on the 10Th of February by Mr. |
Washburne of Wis, to reconsider the vote by |
which the letter from the Secretary of the |
Treasury, relative to the Union Pacific rail-
road was ordered to be printed. A long de-
DhtO ououcuJ WHICH MT. WaSQDurue OF
Wis, disclaimed any intention of imputing
improper motives to the gentleman from Iowa.
MIR. PRICE, who had probably, as he himself |
felt, that the Pacific railroad was a necessity |
and the bill of 1864 was very improperly |
guarded.
Mr.. Washburne of ILL.,, alleged that all the
amendments were voted down which propos-
ed to protect in any way the public interest,
and that the bill was carried through by the
influence of the gentleman from Iowa. price,
and fha lat,f
After further debate, the motion to recon-
slider the vote and lay it on the table, was
agreed to.
Mr.. Farnsworth, from the Reconstruction
Committee, reported back the bill to admit the
State of Alabama to representation in Con-
gress as passed March 49, with the following
additional section:
Section Sd. That said State of Alabama
shall be admitted to representation in Con-
gress and shall be recognized as a State, only
on the following fundamental condition: that
the Constitution of Alabama shall never be so
amended as to deprive any citizen or any class
of citizens of the United States of the right to
vote by the Constitution herein recognized;
nor shall be SO amended nor changed as to al
low any person to vote who is excludes from
office by the 18th article of the amendment to
the Constitution of the United States, until
the disabilities imposed by said section shall
have been removed in the manner therein
provided, and Congress shall have power to
annLl any amendment to the Constitution of
Alabama or any act of the Legislature of said
State, contrary to the provisions in this seq
tiOn.
Mr.. Spalding offered as substitute, the bill
Introduced yesterday in the Senate by Mr..
Stewart.
Mr. Poland withdrew the substitute which
he had given notice of last week.
Mr.. Bingham moved an amendment to the
bill by striking out the Sd section.
Mr.. Farnwortn addressed the House in sup
port OF the bill. In the course of his remarks
he said 1000 white men had voted for the
Constitution.
Some discussion arose between Farnsworth,
Williams of Penn and Kerr, as to how the in
formation was re ceived that the number OF |
whites stated had voted for the Constitution.
: Mr.. Kerr denyed that the Reconstruction
committee had received any such informa-
ion.
Mr.. Farnsworth said he had and believed
other members of the Committee had such in
formation.
Mr.. Kelley also addressed the House in sup
port of the bill.
Mr.. Stevens of Penn, offered an amend
nent providing that the right of suffrage shall
not be denied or abridged in any State except
or treason, felony or other crimes infamous at
common law, but that suffrage shall forever
,e universal and Impartial, and that Congress
mall have power to annul any act in Alabama
n violation or derogation of acts with regard to
uffrage, and that in case of any Legislature
educlng suffrage below universal rights, all
egislaton admitting into the Union shall be
lull and void
Mr. Earnsworth gave notice that he wonld
move the previous question at hal-past three
o'clock tomorrow and ask vote at half-past
our
The House at half-past four o'clock adjourn
ID.