The New York herald., 1869-12-17

ments but he could not see the benefit to accrue
from an announcement III Congress to that enect az
this time. The question with him was simply one
Mr.. rmURaAN, tdem) OF Ohio, said the question
was whether the constitutional amendments were 10
Southern States against the win OF their people for
II could not be denied that majority OF the people
there were opposed 10 them. The State Of Ohio had
rejected the fifteenth amendment, and in the
name OF The people Of nation he pro-
tested against this attempt TO coerce n State
into doing tnaf which was repugnant to q majority
OF her peope. Ohio by fifty thousand majority,
had declared against the fifteenth amendment, and
its rauilcauon by the coercion OF the Southern state
legislature into Its supportw0ud virtually upon
OHIO, as well as upon Georgia, Jaw TO which Tue
people OF both States were opposed. II the amend
nent should become part OF the constitution 1t
would be equally law for the STATE of ohio as for
any otner state, and therefore, IN the name OF the
people OF the country. he protested against the Dill
lie could only express his regret IN view OF the ap-
parent determination OF Congress TO cut loose from
AL constitutional precedents and 70 ignore the PLAIN
restrictions OF Congressional authority under the
constitution.
Mr.. SAWYER, rep.) OF s. c.. said that II the people
OF Georgia bad learned anything OF the temper Of the
American people they would not refuse 10 accept tue
fifteenth amendment. for by its adoption they could
produce proof that their condition was sRcn as
warrant restoration 10 their former relations TO
The Union and government. In The case of ONO It
was not III the power or Congress, nor did il become
It's duty TO impose conditions IN connection with
the action OF the State upon the proposed amend
ment. Bat Georgia occupied vastly different posi-
on. In the light or events IN that state In the rast
III
gress TO inquire INTO the condition or It's people and
by imposing conditions, TO ascertain whether mat
State could be admitted with safety into the sister
hood OF states.
Mr. BAyARD, (dem.) OF Del. said that the imposi-
ton OF tins new condition in the case OF Georgia
was an additional feature OF its uniarness ana IN
Justice II Illustrated the fact that no definite limit
could be assigned within which this probationary
period applied 10 the late rebeous States would ter
inmate, and that /, must depend entirely upon the
caprice ard pleasure OF the dominant party Con-
gress BY this plli Congress had assumed to SIT in
Judgment upon the qualifications CT the legislatures
OF states and 10 determine the rights OF voters IN
the States,
Mr.. HOWARD, trep.) OF Mch., said the amendment
OF me Senator from Indiana was not coerclve, but
LETT to the people OF Georgia the alternative Of re-
naming in their present condition or adopting the
proposed amendment TO the constitution. II any
excuse were wanting for the imposition OF this con.
dition was to be found In the action OF the white
men OF the Georgia Legislature, who in defiance of
Congress had ostracseG and expelled from the Leg
lsaturc OF that state large NUMBER Of persons on
account OF their coor They would II they had the
power ignore entirely The rights OF the colored peo-
pie. Therefore the necessity tor this condition.
BUREAU or CUSTOMS AND REVENUES.
Mr.. sHERMAN, lrep? OF Ohio introduced bill to
establish q Bureau OF Customs and Revenues. Re-
ferred to the Committee on Finance.
PRESCRIBING The LIMITS or JUDICIAL. POWER.
Mr.. SUMNER introduced bill providing that the
acts OF the several departments shall not be called
N question by other departments and fixing the
limits OF the judicial power Referred to the Com
ENCOURAGEMENT OF AMERICAN STEAMSHIP LINES.
Mr.. RICE, repl OF Ark, introduced bill to Gu
courage the establishment OF line OF steamships
under the flag OF the Union, for the conveyance OF
the United states mails to Europe and to ports OF
India and China by way OF the SueZ Canal, and tor
promoting emigration IRON Europe to the Southern
States Of the Union. Referred to the Committee on
Post Offices and Post Roads.
Mr.. RAMSEY, (rep), OF Minn., introduced Joint
resolution amendatory OF the act of July ~, 1868
TO provide for the establishment OF line OF mail
and passenger steamships between New York anu
Europe. Referred to the Committee on Post Offices
and Post Roads.
on motion OF Mr.. HOWARD the Senate adjourned.