The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-06-22
OUR w.shinseon Dlspatehes.


THE PRESIDENTS VETO OF THE ARKANSAS BILL
RAJ AMNEsTY-ooNeREssIoN HOUSE
PASSES THE AnKANsAs BILL OYER THE VETO.
WASHINGTON, June 20.-The President to-day
returned the Arkansas bill to Congress with his
objections. The veto message says: "The ap-
provsl of this hill would be an admission that
the act for more efficiently governing the rebel
States, and the acts supplementary thereto,
were proper and constitutional; whereas, the
Presidents opinion is unchanged in this re-
spect. hut rather strengthened by reSuts at
tanding their execution. II Arkansas is not
State. this bill does not admit her; if she is a
State, no legislation is necessary to her repre-
sentation in Congress. Each House, under
the constitution, judges the election returns
and qualifications of it's own members, and mo-
thing is necessary to- restore Arkansas but the
decision by each Hogss Of eligibility OF those
presenting credentials This is the plain and
simple plan of ths,constitution; Had ut ;been
sdopsed in 1855, instead Of Legislation OF doubt
ful constitutionality, and therefore unwise and
dangerous, restoration. would long since have
been accomplished"
The President again recommends the adop-
ton Of the constitutional plan. The terms pro-
posed are scarcely applicable toa Territory,
certainly not to State, which has occupied
place In the Union oyera quarter OF aFcentury.
The President is unable 10 find any authority
for the conditions of the bill in, the Federal
Constitution. The elective franchise is re-
served by the constitution to the States them
solves. The bill fails to provide how Arkansas
shall signify her acceptance OF the fundamen-
taIconditions, nor does it prescribe penalties
for their nuIlifcation. It is seriously ques-
toned whether the constitution has been rati-
fed according to thel law assumed TO be IN force
before it's, adoption. The Arkansas Constitu-
tion restricted franchise on it's ratification by
tests unknown in the Reconstruction acts
among them the acceptance OF political and
civil rights of all mon. IT is well known that
large portion,t II not large msjority. OF elect
ors do not accept this test, and if applied to
voters North, there is reasonto believe many
OF them would remain away from the polls
rather than comply with its degrading condi-
tions. - .si.cf.. $, f,e 81 I-sia
The President concludes: ssShould the peo-
ple of Arkansas, therefore, desire to regulate
the elective franchise 60 ss to make it conform
TO the constitutions Of large proportion ofthe
States Of the North aud West, and to modify
the provisions referred to in the fundamental
condition, what is to be the consequence LIS
IL intended that sdeniaiof representation shall
follow? And il so may We not dread at some fu-
tnre day a recurrence of the troubles which
I. have 90 long agitated2 the country9 Would it
not be the part Of wisdom 70 take foro our guide
the Federal Constitution rather than resort TO
measures which, looking only to the present,
NAV in o few years renew, in an aggravated
form, the strife aud bitterness caused by lests-
lation. which has proved to be il-timed and
unfortunateP"
The Tar bill, as reported to-day, comes up
on Monday, andwill occupythe House without
interruption until 1t is concluded. II reduces
whiskey to sixty cents. It is elaborate IN de-
tsils for collection. :,.. n
1t is probable general amnesty VIII oe pto-
claimed on the 4th Of July.
The President nominated Richard w. Mellen
Collector of Customs for the Teche District,
Iouisisns, and Henry G. Meyers Receiver OF
Money in the Land Office, Natchitoches, La.
The President has pardoned the Confederate
General 3. Heith. .l,
The Corruption Committee continues e1-
amining witnesses.
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
sENArE.-A petition was presented, signed
nv thirteen hundred printers and bookbinders
of New York, representing that American in
dustry is paralyzed by cheap foreign labor.
and ask q protective tariff. A similar petition
vas presented from. laborers and citizens oa
Delaware. -
without acting on the veto the Senate went
Emo executive session and adjourned.