The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-02-18
5T,ELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
NEWS FROM THE CAPITAL.
sszo,11 fKtEdnAa to rHB DISPATCH.

WAsHtEGToN, February II, 1869.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
} ANOTHER MIDDLE IN THE SENATE.
Another scene Of confusion, amounting
to an almost inextricable parliamentary
muddle, took place in the Senate this after
noon in the discussion upon the proper
mode Of disposing Of the suffrage constitu-
tional amendment, which had come back
from the House on the refusal Of that body
to concur in the Senate amendments. Over
three hours were spent in determining the
effect if the Senate receded from its amend
ments, nearly one-half Of the senator's
arguing that such action would have the
effect Of passing the joint resolution as 1t
came from the House originally; the other
half holding that the passage of motion
to recede left the suffrage amendment open
for amendment, or adoption, or rejection.
II became evident that the Republican
senators were about equally divided upon
the House proposition, which was con-
aidered to prohibit, by implication at least,
colored citizens from holding Office. On
this ground the southern senators appeared
TO be 8 unit in opposition to this resolution,
they demanding that the measure should be
SO worded as to give negroes the same rights
and privileges as are accorded to them in
South Carolina, Louisiana, sc. On this
subject quite heated conversation was in
dulged in between Senator Stewart and the
southern senators, in one corner of the
Senate chamber, whilst the various votes
were being taken. Mr.. Stewart had un-
dertaken to engineer the suffrage resolution
through in q jifFy to-day, and had counted
upon the cooperation Of southern senators.
The Senate having subsequently receded
from its amendments, and refused to adopt
the House resolution, left the whole subject
again open to begin de novo. This was
lust what Senator'S Sumner and vii,
son desired, and thereupon they stimuli.
taneously, with dozen other senators
Jumped to the floor, clamorous for re-
cognition from the Chair. Mr.. Stewart
rushed down close to the Presidents chair
and succeeded in getting in motion t
take up the suffrage resolution adopted BY
the Senate Judiciary Committee, which
gives the colored citizen the right to hole
Office. This resolution was expected to have
the support of the southern senators, enc
that therefore it would pass instanter, but
to the CONSERVATION of the excited Stewart
up sprang Senator Howard, one Of the mos
radical of Radicals, and announced his de-
termination to oppose and discuss the reso
luton. Senator Nye also said he would
oppose the measure. 1t was now o'clock
and the senators very generally took adj
vantage of the opportunity, whilst Senator
Howard was making his speech, to gel
luncheon.
In their private conferences the friend;
of the pending resolution expressed grea
fear that, after oil, the suffrage amendment
would fail to get safely through both Houses
at this session. There ere some who woule
insist upon a provision that the amendment
be submitted only to the State Legislature
hereafter to be elected, but this PROPOSE
ton would be discussed. and thus, by con
Stunning time, defeat the whole measure.
GENERAL SHERMAN.
Lieutenant General Sherman is czpecte'
to arrive here from New Orleans about tn
the latter part of this week. He will occup,
the same room with General Grant at arm.
headquarters, where desk has been pre-
pared for his use. WALLACE.