Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-05-12
CONGREGATIONAL. .


HoUsB.-Yesterday, after our report CLOSED
MIR. Washburne (IlI.) called up the dill max
Ing sn appropriation of S37,0O0 TO supply q de- :
nciency IN the appropriation for the execution
OF the reconstruction laws in the Third Mill
tary District for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1853. He stated that the report of Gen. Meade
snd letter from the Secretary OF War, show
ing the necessity for the passage of the bill. had
been sent TO the printing Office, but were not yet
printed.
After debate, the bill passed.
Mr.. Jenckes asked leave to offer a resolution
instructing the Committee on Foreign Affairs
to inquire as to duel which took place re-
Gently near the District Of Columbia, between
person in the diplomatic service of the United
States and the secretary OF one of the foreign
legations; and whether a due respect for the
laws does not require measures to be taken for
the removal of the United States officer, and
the recall of the foreign attache.
Messrs. Randall and Chanler objected.
Mr.. Stevens, (Pa.,) from the Reconstruction
Committee reported a bill to admit the States
OF North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana,
Georgia, and Alabama to representation in
Congress. On his motion the bill was made
the special order for Wednesday next, with the
understanding that debate would be allowed
Mr.. Bingham offered an amendment to the
bill.
The bill as reported is as follows:
A BILL TO admit the States of North Carolina,
South Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia, and
Alabama to representation in Congress.
whereas the people OF North Carolina, South
have, in pursuance of the provisions of an act
entitled San act for the more efficient govern
ment of the rebel States, passed March second,
eighteen hundred and sixty seven, and the acts
supplementary thereto, framed constitutions OF
State government which are republican in
form, and have adopted said constitutions by
large majorlties Of the votes cast at the cleo
tons held for the ratification OF rejection OF the
same: Therefore.
BE IL enacted. de-, That the States of North
Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia
and Alabama shall be entitled and admitted to
representation in Congress as States of the
Union when the Legislatures of Said States
respectively, shall have duly ratified the AM
endment 10 the Constitution Of the United
States proposed by the Thirty-nunth Congress,
and known as article fourteen, upon the follow
ing fundamental conditions: That the corsti-
tutons OF SAID States shall never be so amended
or changed as to deprive any citizen or class
of citizen of the United States of the right to
Vote who are now entitled to vote by said con-
stltuuons; respectively, except as punishment
for such crimes as are now felonies at common
law, whereof they shall have been duly con-
yicted: and NJ person shall ever be held to SER
vice or labor as punishment for crime in said
States, except by public officers charged with
the custody of conyicts by the laws thereof,
Sec ,. That If the day fixed for the meeting
Of the Legislature of either of said States by the
constitution thereof shall have passed before
The passage OF this act. such Legislature may
be con vened within thirty days after the pass
age OF this act by the president of the conven-
ton which framed the constitution of such
State.
Sec. }. That the first section of this act shall
take effect when the President of the United
shall officially proclaim the due ratification by
the Legislatures OF said States, respectively OF
article fourteen of the amendments TO the Con-
stituton of the United States proposed by the
Thirty ninth Congress.
Mr.. Bingham's amendment is TO strife out
the words in the second section commencing
''that the constitutions OF said States and end
ing with the words duly convicted" and to
insert in lieu thereof the words, ''that civil and
political rights and privileges shall be for ever
equally secured in said States TO all citizens of
the United States resident therein as is now
provided IN said constitutions respectively"
Mr.. Farnsworlh, from the Committee on Re-
construction, reported a bill to remove political
disabilities from some two hundred ciuzens of
North Carolina by name.
After considerable debate, the bill was passed
by more than the requisite two thirds-e9 TO ..
Adjourned.