The New York herald., 1869-03-26

upon substantially the same grounds a. In former
discussions Of the same question.
without action on the bill the Senate, ct ten min
utes past four O'Clock, went into executive session
and soon afterward adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
WASHINGTON, March 25, 1862
CHANGES IN THE BANKRUPT LAW.
Mr. Fox, (dem) OF N. Y, presented preamble
and resolutions OF the New York Produce Exchange
in relation to changes in the Bankrupt law.
THE RETRENCHMENT COMMITTEES.
The SPEAKER announced the appointment OF
Messrs Jenckes and Benton as additional members
OF the Committee on Retrenchment
RIGHT OF WAY FOR AN OREGON RAILROAD.
Mr.. WILSON, (rep.) OF Minn., introduced bill
granting the right OF wdy, for railroad from Port
land Oregon to the west OF the Cascade Mountains.
Referred TO the Committee on the Pacific Railroad.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION.
Mr.. DAWES, (rep) Of Mass, rose to personal ex-
Rim By Mr. H. H. Heath, Secretary Of the Territory
Of New Mexico arising out Of Q statement made by
tion case last session. HE had read q letter from
Heath, written while he was holding an Official posi-
ton IN Washington during the war; declaring bis
sympathy for the rebellion, and repeated the de-
claration chat he made ON the occasion complained
Of, that he could have no confidence in q man who
JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF CLAIMS.
L
the Revision OF the Laws reported joint resolution
relative to steamboats, and other vessels owned in
the Court ' Of claims from tai taxing urisdicton M of
claims occurring In the rebel States shall not apply
nresssd II into the military service Of the Tnted
States during the late war in States parts OF States
declared in insurrection, provided that the claim
ants were loyal at the time the claims originated
and renamed loyal thereafter and We're residents OF
loyal States and provided such vessels were In the
insurrectionary districts by proper authority.
The joint resolution was explained ana advocated
by Mr. Poland. II gave rise to considerable discus
sion, participated In by Messrs. Washburn OF Wis
consin Lawrence, Finkelnburg, Maynard, Hoar,
Hawkins, Allison, Benjamin and Logan.
ont resolution On e te table,
| nays SO.
The joint resolution was then passed-yeas 81,
| nays so.
CHANGES IN STANDING COMMITTEES.
Mr. POLAND was, ut his own request, excused from
further service on the Reconstruction Committee
marking that the request was not made from any
dissatisfaction with that committee, but in order to
Mr. UPsoS. (rep.) Of Ohio was also, at his own re-
quest excused from service on the Committee on
assigned by the Speaker to the Committee on Re-
RELIEF OF SAMUEL H. MOORE
on Military Affairs reported bill for the relief Of
Samuel u. Moore, Fffty-seventh veteran onio in
| REDUCTION OF AMERICAN TONNAGE.
The SPEAKER announced the appointment Of the
select committee on the causes OF the reduction OF
American tonnage-Messrs HotchkIss Morreil OF
Pa, Judd. Holman, Calkin and Wells.
| THE CHARLEsTOwN AND KITTERY NAVY YARDS.
Mr.. LYNCH, trep) Of Me-, offered resolution for
q commission to inquire whether the efficiency OF
the naval service requires the maintenance OF Two
town, Mass, and kitterly, Me- Keferre to the Com
mittee on Naval Affairs.
! ENFORCING THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT IN
| GEORGIA.
Mr.. BUTLER, (rep.) Of Mass, introduced bill to
enforce the fourteenth amendment to the cOnstitu-
zion and the laws OF the United States and to re-
store the State Of Georgia to the republican govern.
ment elected under its new constitution. Referred
to the Reconstruction Committee and ordered to be
printed.
OF Georgia has refused to purge Itself Of members
who were disqualified by the constitutional amend
me- ana 1ronn mas a exeSe ev a " rca
blood; and that the state authorities are wholly
unable or unwilling to protect the lives, liberties
| and property Of lawful and unOfiendlng citl-
| zens, thereby proving that the people had not
complied with the terms or conformed to the
| principles on which the restoration or Georgia
| was provided for, and that the government
thereof is not in fact republican or regular. 1t
| therefore authorizes and directs the Governor OF
| the State OF Georgia to summon forthwith by
proclamation all persons appearing to have
the proclamation OF MAJOR General Meade, June Is,
1868, TO meet at Atlanta within SIX months Of the
authority TO make such enactments and to have
such legislative proceedings as are authorized by the
Georgia % The members OF Of the S Legislature are to
take the test oaths, except those whose political dis
Members
lature Is annued and declared void. The President
or the United States is required to station in the
State OF Georgia sufficient armed force to carry the
act into execution and Its officers required to
render aid and assistance in the administration OF
| the government on demand Of the Governor.
| PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT FOR MISSISSIPPI.
The House then, at halfpast two O'Clock, took up
iona government for Mississippi, which was under
| discussion yesterday. and was addressed by Mr..
| Wood in opposition to the bill.
| mir. WOOD (dem) Of n. ", regretted that any ar
guments or facts presented by the minority failed to
receive the least attention or consideration from the
| majority In the House. however irresistible those
| were and however patriotic and truthful. Coming
from democrats they had no attention and received
| no respect from those who had sworn to do their
duty to the people in all things Affecting their in
terests. The proposition contained in the bill to give
the existing Convention OF Mississippi the power to
appoint provisional Governor would not be OF much
Importance II 1t was not for the authority which 1t
| was proposed to confer on that officer. He was to
| appoint the judges and registrars OF elections This
Is to clothed with power to name those who, prac-
tically in that State under existing circumstances
| would have the authority to name the future state
officials and the United states Senators and members
OF Congress. He was opposed 10 giving such body
as tnat any such right That Convention had given
the people OF Mississippi touch OF its character; 1t
had nearly ruined that already oppressed aud i'm
| It's conduct had been such that 1t should not be
/ revived or entrusted with any such renewed
@ out o. o Were o. asoSt 1000 h yaes y a
| cast, the better and more substantial classes alb
stained from any particiDation IN the election OF
members OF that convention. These classes had not
at that time been reconced to the existing condi
ton of things as determined by the reconstruction
policy Of the dominant party. They could
/ not at that time realize the change that
| had been SO suddenly precipltated upon
| them OF having their former slaves and black
l servants made their own political and Official
| superIors. The natural antagonism between races
| so disslmar had not been as yet removed
and the white people abstained from
| cognition Of the changed condition which this
policy had made in the most important
relations OF life. Besides, they knew that under the
law the constitution which the convention framed
had to be submitted to the people for ratification
They felt that the nnal veto rested with them and
that they could exercise that right for the defeat
bad constitution II such one should be adopted
These were the influences that operated over the
minds OF the people OF Mississippi at the election OF
delegates TO that constitutional convention, and the
result was as stated. An improper and incompetent
body was selected, entirely unworthy OF the occa-
sion, and which, by its acts and especially by the
constitution adopted by It, had shown that
1t should never again be rehabllitafed and re.
convened. But the convention cannot be re.
vived. Its life has gone. The people elected 1