Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-01-24
Proceedings In the House.


In the House to-day the proposed con-
stitutonal amendment and bill in regard
to suffrage, after long dsbate as to order
of business, was taken up and Mr.. Bout
well made speech thereon. Mr.. Bout
well called up the constitutional amend
ment and bill in regard to suffrage and
opened the debate upon it. This was
the last of the great measures Of recon-
struction. If the right of suffrage was
secured to all citizens of the United States
without respect to race or color the
republic would be established on sure
basis. 1t wss impossible for this Con-
greSs or the Republican party to escape
that issue. lie knew it was unusual to
present measures from mere party point
of view, but the situation was peculiar.
The Democratic party was dead from the
opening Of the war until they became
identified with measures calculated to
prevent the restoration of the Union by
and through the influence of the war.
To the Republican party the motion was
indebted for its existence, and, therefore,
it was responsible for the perpetuity and
peace of the nation, which it had saved
The Committee on Reconstruction in
Vited examination and criticism TO the
phraseology and objects of the proposed
amendment and law.
Mr.. Boutwell, then explained the pro-
visions Of the amendment, which has
already been published, and argued at
length in its favor, claiming the right of
Congress to legislation on the question of
suffrage, Independent Of any action on
the part Of the States.
MIR. Eidridge inquired whether the
States possessed no power except such
as were granted by the constitution. He
understood it exactly the other way, that
the United States government had no
power except such as was granted By
the States.
Mr.. Boutwell, replied that if the consti4
tuition says that State shall have cer-
tain powers, even though there may be
no negative in the proposition, the State
can't 60 beyond that grant. He quoted
Patrick Henry and Madison to sustain
his views, and also the debates on the
constitution, in the various States, to
show that the opponents OF the constitu>
ton claimed that four sections of the first
article gave Congress complete control
over the question of suffrage The
friends of the constitution never denying
that it did, the conclusion of the whole
matter was that the whole power to
make regulations concerning elections
was vested in the States, and that the
power of the general government over
suffrage and representation was compre-
hensVe and was necessary to its exist
ence. In other words, the power was in
the States, subject to the controlling in
fluences and powers Of the general gov~
eminent lie also based the power of
Congress on that provision Of the consti-
tuition by which the United States is to
guarantee to each State Republican
form of government. Mr.. Boutwell's ar
gument, which lasted two hours was oc-
casionally interrupted by questions from
members on the other side of the House.
In conclusion he said the Republican
party must stand where it is but it must
also move forward to complete the great
work it has undertaken.
Mr. Brooks said In order to carry out
the principles advocated by the gentle
man from Massachusetts,, he proposed 10
offer an amendment to the bill by strik-
ing out the word citizen wherever it oc>
ours and substituting for it the word per-
son and otherwise altering it so it will
read, no State will abridge or deny the
right OF any person in the United States
to vote, by reason Of his or her race, color,
sex, nativity or age when over twenty
one years. The amendment was ordered
printed.
Mr.. Robinson gave notice Of an amend>
ment by substituting for word citizens
the word 'inhabitant, having no other
residence elsewhere than in the United
States"
| Mr.. knott addressed the House in OPP
position to the bill and proposed the con-
stitutional amendment. The point of his
argument was that the fourteenth amend
ment could not be made retrospective,
and that no person could be DISTINGUISHED,
Mr.. Davis gave notice of his intention
soon to call up the Georgia contested
election case. Adjourned.
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