The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1868-03-26

jority Of the Twelfth General Assem-
bly, Of Iowa in favor ofsuch monstrou.
violation Of the right of the people
and such serenely ignorant opinions
of law and its sphere, as are embrace
ed in this minority report.
LINKENsALE.
Congressional Summary.
SENATE.
Washington, Mar. 18.
The Senate took up asa special or
der the bill to exempt certain manu-
factprers from internal tax.
The question was on Mr. Hender-
sons amendment to the amendment
of Mr. Fessenden, providing for q
drawback of duty on materials used
in the construction of river steamers
which was rejected. The question
recured on the amendment providing
for . drawback equal in amount ia
transport duty on timber, MANILA,
copper, and iron used in the construc.
ton Of sailing vessels, and the repair
Of vessels Of foreign build to be re.
tanned for the use Of the u s under
such regulations as the Secretary Of
the Treasury may prescribe.
Mr. Grimes offered an amendment
reducing the tariff on imports 10 per
cent. Lost, 12agalnst 80.
The bill passed to the Committee Of
the Whole and was reported to the
Senate.
Mr. Sherman gave notice that he
would press the bill tomorrow.
Mr. Trumbull from the Committee
on Judiciary, reported q billto modi-
fy the test oath in the case Of r r
Butler of Tennessee, to allow him to
take his seat in the House. Adjourn
ed.
SENATE. 81
Bromall, Of Penn, moved to recon
slider the vote, referring to Judiciary
Committee bill introduced by him
July 1lth, 1867; to guarantee several
States in tho Union . republican
form of government.
The bill provides that all enact
ments in State Constitutions ard
laws and restricting the right Of SUI
frage on account of race or color shall
be declared void, and imposes as a
punishment fine Of $1,000 or inn
prisonment for five years or both,
upon any person who shall prevent
any qualified citizen of the U s from
exercising the right of suffrage.
Mr. Knott and Mr. Woodward sub
sequently spoke against rhe bill, and
Lawrence Of Penn, in its favor.
Mr. Stevens, of Pennsylvania, made
argument in favor of universal and
impartial suffrage rs the only foun-
damon on which the government can
stand. He said you must build your
science of fgovernment on that, and
when you attempt to depart from it
you forget you are man, that you
become q tyrant and deserve the ex-
ecration Of the whole human race
There is no other way but by univer'
sal suffrage in which you and | and
every man can protect Yourselves
against the injustice, the inhumanity
and the wrongs which would other
wise be inflicted on us. We have got
to point in this nation
when we can adopt that
great and glorious principle and no
man dares to say we shall adopt it.
Henceforth let us understand that
universal suffrage is operating in the
face of every man Who is to be gov
erned by votes cast is one Of those
doctrines planted deeper than the
granite on which our fathers laid
the foundation of their immortal
work; the work of universal liberty
which will last Just as long as that
immortal doctrine shall last and no
longer.
Mr. Stevens having announced his
propositions, asked the Clerk of the
Houset to read the proposed speech
which was done.
Mr. Stevens own remarks wero de-
livered with q clearness and a
strength of voice not before manifes-
ted this session.
The following was offered as a
substitute for the bill.
"Be it enacted that every male
citizen of the United States above
the age Of 81 years who was born OF
naturalized in the United States, OF
who has declared his intentions to
become naturalized, shall be entitled
to vote upon all national questions
that may arise, in any State Of the
Union where he shall have resided
for the time of3O days, and no dis.
tinction shall exist between such cit.
izens on any account except for trea.
son, felony or other Infamous crime
not below the grade offelony at com.
mon law.
Mr. Beaman addressed the Senate
in support of the bill.
Mr. Spaulding spoke against it.
which he regarded as unconstitution.
al.
Mr. Kelly advocated the bill.
Mr. Kerr opposed it.
The chair submitted commune
cation from the General of tho army
enclosing copy Of telegram re-
ceived from General Meade, Com
mander of the Sd military district.
The telegram was datcd January
18th 1868, was read stating that i
the bill pending before Congress wal
passed directing Military command
cas- to fill Offices with those qualified
to take the proper oath it viii be i'm
possible to fill the respective offices
Referred.
Mr. Farnsworth, from committe,
ON reconstruction, reported q bill Il
admit the State Of Alabama to repre-
sentation in Congress, which was or
dered printed. He asked to have i
considered and passed Tomorrow
The bill is as follows: Whereas, tn,
people Of Alabama have framed /,
Constitution republican in form
which has been ratified by larg'
majority Of legal voters Of that Stat,
it therefore shall be admitted to rep
resentation in Congress as soon as it
Legislature shall have ratified the l.
amendment to the Constitution.
The Chair submitted resolutions o
the Wisconsin Legislature, instruct