The New York herald., 1868-03-10
THE FORTIETH CONGRESS.
Second Session.
S E N AT e.
WASHINGTON. March Q. Is

WASHINGTON, March o. 1868.
THE NEW SENATOR FROM MARYLAND.
The credentials were read and Mr.. Johnson wa
Mr.. JOHNSON (dem.) of Nd, presented the creden
tias OF Mr. George vickers, Senator elect from Mary
land.
about escorting Mr.. Vickers forward to take tn,
requisite OATH when Mr. SUMNER, rep) OF Mass.
offered the following resolution
Resolved, That the credentials OF the Hon. George
yckers, Senator elect from Maryland be referred te
the Committee on the judiciary, to consider ifn Il
State of Maryland, with Its existing constitution
has republican form OF government, so as to be
able at this time to select and commission Senator
Of the United States.
Mr.. SUMNER read the first section OF the constitu.
tion Of Maryland providing for voting by white male
citizens, claiming that it was founded the prin-
cple OF exclusion, and was anti-republcan and
contrary to the principles on which government,
was formed, according to the solemn declaration OF
our fathers. All the States but South Carolina when
the constitution was formed, recognized the prin-
ciple that all citizens were entitled to suffrage and
attempt at exclusion on account OF color was voted
down. He read from the writings Of Alexander
Hamilton In the Federdust an impression or opin-
ion that the laws were to restore the rights that
have been taken. The negroes could no longer be
refused an equal sharge Of representation, and he
claimed that the necessary consequence the freedom
OF the negroes their restoration to all the rights
of citizenship. Some two hundred thousand citizens
of Maryland, therefore, being denied their right OF
representation, he submitted that the constitution
Of the State could not be republican In FORM He
then pointed out that fourteen counties I'm Mary
land, with a total population Of one hundred and
eighteen thousand live hundred and sevenfy-0ne,
elected fourteen Senators out OF the twenty -four
majority ont OF the body. This system OF rotten
boroughs was also anttrepublican In form, and the
Legislature thus composed having furnished a COM
mission TO the gentleman now presenting himself, he
(Mr. Sumnerl thought a committee Of this body
should consider the question Of that constitution
He might be alone In this, AZ he had been more than
reminded Of being In other days; but he did not
regard II now more than he did then and he insisted
that II was the duty OF the Senate to declare its
opinion on this question.
Mr. CONFESS, (rep.) OF Cal, said that under the
principle put forth by the Senator but five New
England States and the State OF Wisconsin were
republican in form. He supposed that when his col
league came here from California with his credentials
he would be sent back, because that State did not
possess a government republican i'm form and he
presumed the Senator offered the resolution TO ind
cate how far he was in the advance Of his party
friends. II that was 90, Ms his object was attained
the table.
OF Mr.. NYE, trep) OF Nevada, who called attention to
the fact that the present Governor OF Maryland
elected under the constitution OF ls64 by which those
who had been engaged In the rebellion had been dis
franchised. subsequently, under an arrangement
with the Governor registers were appointed through
whom even those who had been generals In the
rebel army were allowed TO vote without pardon.
BY this fraudulent transaction the State had been
placed In the hands Of rebels. Mr.. Nye read from
letter written by Mr. Carmichael In confirmation
OF his statement, and said Il 1t was true
the. present constitution of Maryland rested
irwas confirmed thus by one of their number Gov.
ernor Swami having, in violation OF the existing
constitution, directed his registers 10 thwart the
wishes OF the loyal people of Maryland He for one
would not be party to crime that would forever
be stencil In the nostrs OF the citizens Of this
country.
Mr.. joHysoN said that when the state OF Maryland
had any fault to find with the constitution her repre-
sentatiyes on that floor ud be ready TO do II.
Mr.. CONFESS then renewed the motion to lay the
resolution on the table, but Mr. SUMNER withdrew the
resolution, saying he had accomplished his purpose.
Mr. Nrrgr ps on m
PETITIONS, ETC.
Mr.. CoSKLTNG, (rcp) OF N. T., presented concurrent
resolutions from the New York Legislature, urging
appropriations for the Improvement OF Buffalo har-
Dor, In accordance with the plan proposed by the
Board OF United States Engineers, which were
referred to the Committee on Commerce. Also q
petition OF one hundred and fifty destitute coored
citizens Of Georgia and Alabama, setting forth that
although able to work, and willing to do for fifty
or sixty dollars year. they cannot obtain work be-
cause OF prosecutions and injustice, and praying
appropriation OF 500 each to enable ;lcm to emigrate
to Liberia.
Mr.. HOWARD, trcp.) OF Mich, presented petitions
from various parts OF Michigan, praying for reduc
tion OF the army and navy &C., III the interest OF
retrenchment and for the purpose OF reducing taxes
Mr.. WILSON, trcp.) Of Mass, presented petition
OF Joseph Seqar, citizen OF Virginia, setting forth
that the United states government seized his pro-
perty during the war, and that he had asways been
loyal CITIZEN shd pray Ing that his property be re-
tugned to hiin. Referred TO Committee on Lsuima'
Nr No"GAS, ttcp.j Of N. u, presented ispQns