The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-02-06
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, February 3.
SENATE.

Several petltlOns were PleeouCou'
A resolution was passed to hold even
ing sessions until the constitutional
amendment was disposed of.
Mr.. Pomeroy, from the committee on
Public Lands, reported adversely on
the bill providing for sales of lands to
aid in the construction of the West Vir-
GINA Central Railroad.
The bill to give effect to certain
treaty stipulatioDs with foreign coun'
tries was passed. 1t authorizes the Pres
ident to employ military force, when
necessary, to guard alleged criminals
delivered up by foreign Governments
under extradition treaties.
A resolution to authorize the payment
of Senators from reconstructed States
from the beginning of next session was
taken up.
Mr.. Morton made brief argument in
favor of the resolution and cited several
presidents.
Mr.. TrumbHll had thought this propo-
sition was dead. The Senate had al
ready distinctly declared that the Sen
ators in question should be paid only
from the time their States were declared
emitted to representation in Congress
While Mr.. Trumbull was speaking
the morning hour expired, which
brought up the unfinished business, viz;
the constitutional amendment.
The amendment offered yesterday by
Mr.. Williams was read, and he address
ed the Senate in its advocacy.
Mr.. Sumner next addressed the Senate.
Mr.. Sumner offered substitute for
the joint resolution providing for an
amendment to the Constitution. 1t
provides that the right to vote, to be
voted for, and to hold Office shall not be
denied or abridged anywhere in the
United States under any pretence ofrace
or color, and all provisions in any State
Constitutions and all laws, State, Ter
ritorial or municipal, inconsistent here
with are hereby declared null and void.
Second-That any person who, under
any pretence of race or color, wilfully
binders or attempts to hinder any citi-
zen of the United States from voting Or
from being voted for, or from holding
office, or who attempts by menaces to
deter any citizen from the exercise or
eDjoyments of the rights of citizenship
above mentioned, shall be punished by
a fine of not less than 500 ormore than
$4,000, or by Imprisonment in the com
mon jail for not less than thirty days
nor more than one year.
Third-That every person legally en-.
gagged in preparing register of voters,
or in holding or conducting an election,
who wilfully refuses to register the
name or preserve a correct return, or
otherwise give the proper legal effect to
the vote of any citizen, under any pre-
tence of race or color, shall be punished
by fine of not less than $500 nor more
than $4,000, or imprisonment in the COM
mon Jail for not less than three calendar
months nor more than three years.
Fourth-That the District Courts of
the United States shall have exclusive
jurisdiction of all offences against this
act, and the District Attorneys, Mar
shals, Deputy Marshals and Commits
sioners appointed by the Circuit or Ter
ritorial Courts of the United States,
with the power of arresting, imprison-
ing or bailing offenders, and every other
officer especially empowered by the
President of the United States, shall be
and they are hereby required, at the ex-
pense of the United States, to institute
proceedings against any person who vi
Olates this act, and cause him to be ar
rested, imprisoned or bailed, as the case
may be, before such court as by this act
has cognizance of the offence.
Fifth-That every citizen unlawfully
deprived of the rights of citizenship
secured by this act, under any pretence
of race or color, may maintain suit
against any person so depriving him,
and recover damages in the District
Court of the United States for the Dis
trict in which such person may be
found.
Mr.. Vickers spoke against the amend
ment.
Adjourned.