Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-04-09

representation tneir LeHisiatureet ucEc
after lawfully organized, shall rstify "a
| fifteenth amendment
Mr.. Ramsey, from the Committee OF
Post Roads, reported, with amendments
the bill in relation to bridges across tn
Ohio river, One amendment provide
that il the Board of Engineers shall repor
that any Of the bridges now constructed
are material distractions 10 navigation
said bridges shall be reconstructed il
conformity to their report Also, will
amendments, the House bill to establish
certain post roads.
Mr.. Chandler, from the Committee on
Commerce, reported, without amend
ment, the House River and Harder APP
preparation bill.
MIR. Trumbull, from the Judiciary Com
mittee, to which the Presidents message
of yesterday had been referred, made q
report that its consideration should be
postponed until the first Monday in De-
cember. He made this report, be said,
by direction of the Committee.
A motion to postpone the unfinished
business was lost by 20 to 30.
The Senate then proceeded to consider
the bill Several of the amendments re-
ported from the Committee on Finance
were agreed to, among them the pro-
vision extending the time for withdraw
ing distilled spirits from bonded ware
houses until June 30, 1869, but subjecting
it to an additional tax of one per cent.
per gallon per month, after the 10th of
April, and FORGETTING all distilled spirits
remaining on hand after the Both of
June, 1869. A provision amending sec
ton 50 OF the original act, " that retail
dealers shall pay license of $3.50, and
that wholesale dealers, selling not less
than FIVE gallons at time, shall pay a
tax of SlOe, and dealers whose sales,
including the sale of ell merchandise
exceeding $4,000, an additional tax of
one dollar for every 800 worth Of sales
of liquors in excess of $25, 600, and on
every $1,000 of sales of other merchandise
shall pay at the same rate as Wholesale
dealer; but that no distiller or brewer,
who has paid special tax as such, and
who sells only distilled spirits or malt
liquors, at the place of manufacture, in
the original case of packages, to which
stamps are affixed, shall be required TO
nav the special tax of Wholesale dealers.
Several other amendments were made
to the pending bill, which now goes to the
House for concurrence in the amend
ments. ~
On motion of Mr.. Chandler, the Senate
took up and passed bill making an
appropriation for the improvement of the
rivers and harbors for the fiscal year,
ending June 80, 1869.
House-The Presidents message rela-
tive to Mississippi and Virginia was re-
ferred to the Reconstruction Committee,
Mr.. Brooks Withdrawing his motion to
send it to the Judiciary Committee, upon
learning that the Reconstruction Com
mittee had taken some action upon the
subject.
The contested election cases for the
third and fourth South Carolina districts
was then taken up.
After some flibustering by the Demo
Gratis, the resolution reported by the
Election Committee declaring L. s.
Hsge, entitled prima .tdcia to the seat
from the Third South Carolina District,
was adopted, and Mr. Hoge was sworn in.
Mr. Butler, of Massachusetts,, from the
Reconslruction Committee, reported
bill authorizing the submission of the
Constitution of Virginia, Mississippi and
Texas, to q vote of the people, and au-
Ihorizing the election Of State officers
and members of Congress.
The bill authorizes the President, at
such time as he may deem best, to sub
nit the Virginia Constitution to the reg
stored voters of that State for ratifica-
ion or rejection, and also TO submit to a
separate vote such provisions Of that
Constitution as he may deem best.
The elections are to be held and the re-
.urns made in the manner provided by
he election ordinance adopted by the
Convention. II authorizes the President
10 submit in the same way to the voters
IF Texas, the entire constitution framed
Tor the State, or separate provisions OF
Il; provided, no elections shall be held
IN Texas, for any purpose, until the
President SO directs; and also provides
Tor the same in Mississippi. If either of
he cor stitutions shall be ratified, the
Legislature elected shall assemble on the
fourih Tuesday after the Official promul-
cation of RATIFICATION. The command
-ng General in each Of such States may,
With the approval Of the President, sus.
pend, until action is had by the Legisla.
lure, all lsvs that be may deem oppres-
1--WE.
Mr.. Payne offered substitute fer the
bill. 1t authorizes the President to sub
NIT the Constitutions OF Virginia, Missis-
sippi, and Texas, respectively. to the
registered voters of such States, and to
submit to them at the same time, such
constitutions, with spph provisions
stricken therefrom as he may direct.
The veiers shall at the same time vote for
State officers and members of Congress.
The District commanders may cause the
lit IF registered votes to be revised and
appoint registers. 10 election is 10 be
held 10 either Of such States, for Any
purpose until the President shall so
direct
The Committee on Reconstruction, to-
day, unanimously agreed to report bill
IN conformity with the Presidents recon-
nsndaiion IN regard to Virginia and
and also containing sec
lion to enable the Texans to likewise vote
Do the adoption of the new Constitution.
The original bill was explained and
advocated by Mr.. Batter, and the substi
ute explained and advocated By Mr..
Paine
Mr.. Garfield moved an amendment
which, be said he thought, would meet
he views Of the gentleman from Wiscon-
siu. Il was that the vote shoald be taken
either on each OF the designated provi
sions alone, or in connection with other
portions Of the Constitution az the Presi
dent might direct.
Mr.. Paine accepted that amendment