The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-03-12

tending that although the reconstruc-
ton laws required a majority Of the
registered voters to vote on the Con
stitution, the State should neverthe
less be admitted: first, because that
provision was unusual and improper,
and, second, because intimidation was
used to keep voters from the polls.
Farnsworth alluded to the state
ments made in the afhdavits to the
same effect
Whereupon Wood said: Assuming
all the statements to be true, would it
warrant a violation Of the law of Con-
gress?
Farnsworth replied in the afirma-
tive, both for himself and the Com
mittee.
Mr.. Loan inquired how the funda-
mental condition In the bill, that unl-
versal suffrage should not be denied
or abridged, could be enforced.
Farnsworth replied that a law would
come in on that point, and would be
bound by it.
Wood inquired how a law, if now
admitted, and should afterwards deny
or abridge sthc right Of suffrage on
account of color, could be taken out
Of the Union? fa
Farnsworth was not prepared to
take her out of the Union again, but
Alabama would be stopped from going
behind the bill for her admission.
Loan inquired the number of white
votes cast IN the Alabama election.
Farnsworth could not inform him.
but stated that there were 300, 900
whites in Alabama in full accord with
the liberty loving people Of the State.
Stevens. Of Pennsylvania, stated
that 900 men voted against the Con-
stitution. aud they were supposed to
be white men.
Loan asked what assurance was
there, if Alabama were admitted, that
they would not, after the next cleo
ton, place the power Ia the hands
of the rebels? et
Farnsworth said there was enough
to satisfy the Committee that very
large majority of the people of Ala
bama we're in favor of the Constltu-
ton. He alluded again to the lntim-
idatidp exercised and threats used by
the rebels against all who voted for It.
Rose enquired whether loyal blacks
In Alabama were 10 the habit OF read
ing rebel papers.
Farnsworth replied that loyal blacks
were, usually, as capable OfTeadIng
rebel papers or any other as disloyal
whites in his colleagues District.
Boyer inquired whether any wit
/ nesses had been examined before the
4 Committee, or whether the facts sta
4 ted did not rest entirely on &c pdTte
athdayits. g1
Stevens, of Pennsylvania, remark
ed. that In the absence Of his col
/ league, FarnswOrth, three witnesses
had been examined before the Com
mittee.
Eldridge subsequently stated, that
so far as the gentleman from Ken
tucky, Beck, had any knowledge,
! there we're no witnesses examined.
Kerr asked whether Congress had
! before. in tha admission Of a State,
reserved the right to repeal acts OF
such State.
Farnsworth suggested that in the
admission of the gentleman 5 own
State (Indiana), conditions had been
4 imposed. H9
Kerr admitted there was eondl-
tion imposed in reference 70 the tax
alton Of certain public lands, but any
violation was to be remedlei IN the
courts, and not by another law Oi
! Congress. The Speaker would bear
him testimony that the courts had
furn ished that remedy.
FarnsWorth asked where the courts
got their authority.
i Kerr-They got il from the C0nstl-
tuition and laws Of the United States.
FarnswOrth-They got it from Con
hgress. and If Congress can cloth,
Courts with authority to execute par
4 of the compact, why cannot Congress,
itself do It?
Kerr-Lt was not a compact, Il wa
simply a condition relating to public
lands Ia which the State Of Indians
never had any title.
Beck, on the minority Of the Com
mittee on Reconstruction, took thf
floor in opposition to the bill. II
diselaimed all kuoWl dge of any re
port having been submitted TO tn
Committee, aud knew nothing Of sucl
report until he saw il published II
the papers this morning.
Stevens, of Pennsylvania, said th
gentleman from Kentucky had bce-
generally very attentive to his dutie
in the Committee, and very polite
but that, nevertheless. the first thInl
{ that was read to the Committee was
short report. and he was very mucl
astonished to find that it had not bee
laid this forenoon on the desks OF th'
j members.
Hurlburt. of New York, concurre
! with the statement of Stevens. III
reeollecsed reading the report.
Beck inquired when and where