Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-03-19
CONGRESSIONAL.

In the Senate, yesterday, resolution
was offered by Mr.. Hendricks and ac-
cepted, requesting the Secretary of the
Treasury 10 inform the Senate what have
been the monthly expenditures of the
War. Navy and Interior Departments
since July, 1865.
The chair submitted communication
from General Grant, inclosing copy Of
a telegram received from General Meade,
commander of the Third Military Dis.
trict, dated January 18th, 1868, which
was read, stating that if the bill pending
before Congress was passed, directing the
military commanders to fill Offices with
those qualified to take the test oath,
it will be found impracticable. Referred
to the Committee on Military Affairs.
The bill exempting certain manufac.
lures from Internal Revenue tax was
passed in the Committee of the Whole,
and reported to the Senate.
Senator Trumbull, from the Judiciary
Committee, reported bill to modify the
test oath in the case of r. r. Butler, of
Tennessee, so as to allow him to take his
seat in the House; after which the SEN
ate adjourned.
In the House, Mr.. Broomall, of Penn
sylvania, moved TO reconsider the vote
by which the bill introduced by him July
l1th, 1867, tn guarantee to the several
States of the Union republican form of
government was referred to the Judiciary
Committee.
The bill is as follows:
WHEREAS, The form of government of
the several States Of the Union is not re-
publican in this particular: That BY the
constitutions and laws of such States
political rights are made to depend upon
parentage and race, aud are united in
certain families to the exclusion of
others who are usually loyal citizens of
the United States; and
WHEREAS, 1t is the constitutional duty
of the United States to guarantee to every
State republican form of government;
therefore
Be il resolued, ETC., That all pro-
visions and enactments in State constr
tutions and laws which make distinc-
Sons in political and civil rights among
citizens of the United States, or deny
the rights of any such citizens on account
of parentage, race or color, are hereby
declared to be void and of no effect.
And be it further enacted, That if
any person shall prevent any qualified
citizen of. the United States from exer-
cising the right of suffrage at any cleo
ton, in any State, under the pretense
that such citizen is disqualified by the
constitution aud laws of such State on
account of his parentsge, race, lineage,
or color, such person shall be deemed
guilty of misdemeanor, and, ON con-
viction thereof by court, shall be made
to pay fine not exceeding $4,000, and
undergo an imprisonment not exceeding
fifteen years, or both, at the discretion
of the court.
Mr.. Stevens, of Pennsylvania, made
an argument in favor of universal and
impartial suffrage, as the only founda.
ton on which the Government can stand.
There, be said, is no other way but by
universal suffrage in which you and
every other man can protect. yourselves
against the injustice, the inhumanity
and the wrongs which woald otherwise
be inflicted on us. We have got to
point in this natien where we can adopt
that great and glorious principle. No
man dare TO say we shall not adopt it,
and henceforth let us understand that
universal suffrage, operating in the face
of every man who is to be governed by
the votes cast, is one of those doctrines
planted deeper than granite, and upon
which our fathers laid the foundation Of
their immortal work-the work of uni
versal liberty, which will last just as long
as that immortal doctrine shall last, and
no longer" Stevens having thus an
nounced his proposition, asked the Clerk
of the House to read prepared speech
in advocacy of them, which was done.
Mr.. Stevens then closed by offering the
following as substitute for the original
bill,
Be IL enacted. etc, That every male
citizen of the United States above the
age of twenty-one years, who was born
or naturalized in the United States, or
who has declared bis intention 10 become
nsturalized, shall be entitled to vote upon
all national questions that may arise in
any State of the Union where he shall
have resided for thirty days; and no
distinction shall be made between such
citizens on any account, except for trea-
sou, felony, or other infamous crimes not
below the grade of felony, at common
law.
Mr.. Brsomall Withdrew his motion, and
the bill and amendments remain with the
Judiciary Committee.
Farnsworth, from the Reconstruction
Committee, reported a bill to admit the
State Of Alabama to representation in
Congress, which was ordered to be
printed. BE said be would ask to have
i considered aud passed to morrow.
The bill is as follows:
WHEREAS, The people of Alabama, In
pursuance Of an act Of Congress, enti-
lied " an act for a more efficient govern
ment OF the rebel States" passed March
2, 1867, and the acts supplementary
thereto. have framed a Constitution Of
State government. which is republican
in form; and, whereas, at an election
commenced on the 4th day Of February,
1853. alaree majority Of the loyal voters
of said State voted at said election for
the adoption Of said Constitution, there
fore,
be Il enacted, That the State Of Ala
bana shall be entitled 10 representa-
ton in Congress az soon as the Legisia-
ture Of said State. the members OF which
we're elected al the time specified 10 me
preamble OF this bill, shall have duly
ratified the amendment 70 the Constita-
ton Of The United States, pas.ea p , ,s