The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-03-04
GtreQnteu1qetrter
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE,
REGULAR SESSION.
SENATE.
"WEDNESDAY, March 3, 1869.

MIR. Davis offered an amendment
providing the question should be sub
mitted to the people for ratification or
rejection, at the October election.
Mr.. Davis said that this proposed
Constitutional Amendment wonld
change our whole political status. We
would, by one stride, make the negroes
our equals. 1t was acknowledged by
all parties that there was great dis
tinction between the two races. General
Washington had said that the difference
was so great it could never be eradi-
Gated. Douglas had said that history
had shown that the negro race was in
capable of self,government. Lincoln
had said that he would not countenancC
giving political or civil rights to the
colored race. jefferson had said that
there were lines placed there by the AL.
mighty, that could never be erased. He
referred to the distinction made by the
Almighty, in the fact that one wore
hair, and the other wool. Here was q
marked distinction. Our duty to our
people should compel us to adopt the
amendment, submitting this resolu-
ton TO them, for 1t was expressly de-
clared in the last canvass that the ques-
ton of negro suffrage was not an issue.
nor could it be, until it had been adopt.
ed by two legislatures. 1t was placing
the negroes far beyond the whites, as
white parties who were entitled to vote
were not allowed to do so. He, there.
fore. hoped his amendment would pre-
vail.
would probably vote with the gentle
man from Mineral, on the resolution,
he could not favor the amendment. He
differed with the gentleman as to the
fact of parties being excluded who were
entitled to vote. He believed that men
who had committed crime should be
DISTINGUISHED. Taxation without repre-
sentation did not include such as had
committed crime. Parties who had
tried to break up this government wei G
not entitled to the right of franchise
The people could effect the same thing
by the resolution being adopted or re-
Iected. He was not afraid to meet the
question.
Mr., RamsdelI said he was formerly
opposed to negro suffrage, but the re-
construction acts have become fixed
fact, and as the question was forced
upon US, he was going to favor it. We
had forced it on the South, and now to
stand back and say we won't accept II
for ourselves, is sticking on point
that is beneath an American citiz en-.
Mr.. Doolittle read from Article V, Of
the Constitution of the United States, in
proof that it was not contemplated that
the question should be submitted to the
people directly.
Mr.. Young had no particular objec.
ton to the amendment. He believed il
the question was submitted to the peo-
pie they would ratify it. The negroes
had inalienable rights given them by
tho Constitution. 1t was tyranny for
one set of men to arrogate to themselves
the right of suffrage, and deny it to an
other class. No white man is de-
prived of the right in our State, ex-
cept for crime, and III all nations
criminals were excluded from the bal
lot. And how can we make distinc'
ton as to color? Who is to decide
whether amAn has white or black blood
in his veins? Negroes were permitted
to vote in Virginia two hundred years
ago, and it was not until 1888 they were
deprived of that right. He could not
forget that the negroes had helped to
put down the rebellion. 1t was no new
Thing under the sun. Why force it
upon the Southern States, and not ac-
cept it ourselves.
MIR, Phelps thought it should go be.
fore the people. This question should
not be acted on at this session. He was
not opposed to the resolution In princi-
ple. 1t was making SO great political
revolution, in so short II time, that the
people would not understand the matter
until compelled to yield to it. Twas
simply proposition from Congress,
and not dfctation. Upon question ol
40 much moment as this, It's the part ol
wise Legislators to take time to con.
slider. II the resolution were forced
upon him now, IL would force him &c
take position he did not want 10 as
sumo, He believed the 1000, 600 of col
ored voters in the South would event
uully hold the balance OF power in that
section. They would be used ana con
-trolled by the large landholders. Are
we ready for that?
The vote being taken on the amend
mept of Mr.. Davis, resulted in its re-
lection.
Davis. Wilson and YOung-4.
The Navs were-Messrs. II Oke, (Pre
sident, J Boreman, Burley, Gathers, Dix
Drummond, DOOlittle, Leonard, Phelps
Ramsdell, Werninger and Workman
The question being on the adoption o
the resolution.
Mr.. Workman said he expected tc
vote for the resolution. He had opposed
aVitating the question hitherto, because
IL was not before US, but now II was be-
fore us, and if for no other reason
than that his conscience told him i
was right he would vote for 1t. ms
peOple did not think he was doinG
right, there were plenty OF others who
forced negro suffrage on the South
where the negroes are moro lgnoran
than here, and we should be willing Il
take it ourselves.
Mr.. Young believed the resolution
was ri0ht, and hence he would vote fol
it. He was ready to join the demo
cratic party, If it would endorse negro
sutfraee. and the republicans would re
| fnse to do so. He WAS no policy man
Mr.. Burley had no great feeling upoI
the subject. He thought this result
of the war, and was willing to accep
the situation.
The vote resulted in the adoption o
| the resolutions:
The Yeas were-Messrs. Hoke, (Pre
sIdentO Burley, Dix, Drummond, Doc
little, Ieonord, Ramsdell, Werninger
workman and Young-10.
| The Nays were-Messrs. Applegate
Boreman, Gathers, Davis, Phelps ant
Wilson-6.
After the announcement OF the vote
Messrs, Boreman, Gather and Phelp
arose and stated now that the resolution
was adopted they would co-oPorat
with their Republican friends, and de
fend 1t.
The following House bills wer
Changing the boundary lines of MOI
gantown school district.
Legalizing the election OF toWnSnl
officers in Nicholas county.
To provide for the division OF Merce
! county into two assessors districts
Incorporating the town OF Mason
Exempting VIM. E. Lively from tn
attorneys test oath.
Authorizing the trustees of Presto
Academy to sell their property.
Relating to the summoning OF jurie
In Mineral county.
To enlarge the power and define th
duties of the Knawha Board, and