The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-04-09
Virginia md Texas-DeleSations Before the
Reconstruction Committee


Reconstruction Committee.
We find in the Alexan dria GuzeAe of Sat
urday evening the following account of the
action OF the Congressional Reconstruction
Committee on that day
The Reconstruction Committee of the
House met this morning in the room of the
Committee on Postal Affairs 4 large num-
Der of persons from the States of Texas and
Virginia were in attendance, tho Virginians
being present under the supposition that
the condition of affairs in their State was to
be the subject for consideration. At half
past IL O'clock however, General Butler,
the Chairman of the Committee, took his
seat ut the table, and said that the consider
alton OF Texas matters would be resumed,
and informed General Davis, from that State,
that the committee would allow him forty
five minutes in which to make such state
ments as he might choose General Davis,
who was District Judge in Texas before
and Federal General during the war; then
addressed the committee in series of re-
marks, interspersed with the reading of ex-
cerpts from Texas papers, which were not
brought to close until the expiration of
the time allotted him, when he was inter
rupted by the Chairman. General Davis,
wants his State divided into three States.
He also wants the election to be held in his
State on the 1st of July, as provided for by
the Constitution, adopted by tue last Con-
vention, postponed until such further dis
Embellishments are enforced as will insure
the subjection of the State to radical rule.
The General was several times interrupted
during the delivery OF his remarks by ques-
tlons from the members of the committee,
and by gentlemen from his State, to answer
which satisfactorily gave him no little trou-
BILE. lie became somewhat excited by inter-
rogatorles propounded by General Jack
Hamilton, and proposed to that gentleman
that they both should agree to refuse to be-
come candidates for Office. TO this propo-
sition General Hamilton replied "that he
was not disposed to give SO much for 80 lit
tie, as from the time when as boy he had
learned to swap knives, he had always tried
in any bargains he made to at least receive
an equivalent for what he relinquished.''
This raised the laugh against General D.,
and did not tend to compose his feelings.
MIR. Beck, member of the committee,
from Kentucky, then said that number of
gentlemen from Virginia were present, who
had been induced to come to Washington
under the supposition that what they might
have to say to the committee would be
heard to-day, and he proposed that the re-
naming ten minutes of the committees
time be devoted to them.
Mr.. Mckenzie, from. Alexandria, then
said that he hal been designated by the
Virginians present (of whom the following
ls a list: Franklin Stearns, j. w. Lewellen,
w. Goddin, T. J. Evans, A. r. Courtney,
G. w. West, J. G. Blackwell, John Viles.
Q. D. Yulie, James r. Rsnnd, Asa Snyder,
f. G. Rufin, H. Hudnall, A. B. Guigon, J.
b. Langhorne, G. X. Gilmer, j. B. Cren-
shaw, r. T. Sutlas, T. A. Branch to state
to the committee the object for which they
had come to Washington, which was to en-
deavor to induce the committee to report q
bill before the session terminated ordering
vote to be taken in Virginia upon the
adoption or rejection of the Constitution
framed by the last State Convention. As
the hour at which the committee had to ad-
jonrn. however, was so near at hand, he
would withhold his remarks and allow some
of the gentlemen from Richmond to address
the committee.
Mr.. Crenshaw then, in as few words as
possible, asked the com mittee to report
bill before the adjournment of the present
session, ordering an election to bo taken in
Virginia upon the adoption or rejection of
the proposed Constitution-the three most
Objectionable sections to be voted upon
separately-and stated that in his opinion,
If such q vote should be taken even with the
fifteenth amendment suffixed, it would be
adopted by large majority of tho people of
the State.
He also stated that in conversation with
the President two or three days ago, the
latter had agreed with him concerning the
Objectionable clauses in the Underwood
Constitution, and had expressed tho hope
that Congress would soon order an election
to be had in the State-the Objectionable
clauses to ba voted upon separately.
General Butler asked why he did not order
such an election.
Mr.. Crenshaw said he supposed he felt
delicacy in the matter, as the subject was
receiving the consideration of Congress.
The clock then struck twelve, and the
meeting adjourned.
Thesession this morning was very interest
ing, and its proceedings were highly relished
by those not taking part in them.