Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-01-29
MIDNIGHT DISPATCHES.
WASHINGTON.


morning before the Reconstruction Com
mittee against the removal Of disabili-
ties from judicial and other officers in
Virginia, and against the plan OF the
Committee Of Nine
Col Baldwin spoke briefly in defense
of the Virginia Legislature in 1866. He
said the labor measures were adopted
after consultation with the principal
officers of the Freedmen's Bureau, and
the vagrancy law was copied from that
of Pennsylvania.
John A. Verritt, negro from Lynch
burg, addressed the committee in oppo-
sition to the Committee of Nine.
This closes the argument, and the
chairman announced that he would hear
no more verbal statements in relation to
the removal of political disabilities, and
that all future applications and argu-
ments must be made in writing.
The Government Commissioners have
accepted another section of the Union
Pacific railroad, ending at the one thou
sandih miEe post.
The Central Pacific Railroad is now
completed 503 miles east of Sacramento.
L. e. Chittenden, formerly Register
of the Treasury, and now a broker in
New York, appeared this morning before
the Committee on Ways and Means, and
submitted an argument in favor OF the
removal Of the existing prohibition on
the further issue of gold-bearing bonds
It ia understood that the committee ia
yors the removal of such prohibition.
The Senate met this morning in exec.
utiye session, and the calendar was called,
but the nominations we're severally
passed over, ss there were on the list
none that the Senate believed required
i'm medise action, including those of
Messrs. Smythe and Cummings.
Ia the Senate, the President pro. TEN.
presented the credentials of Senator
Scott, of Pennsylvania
Mr.. Frelinghuysen, from the Commit
tee on Naval Affairs, reported bill in
relation to the appointment of midship-
men in the navy frem the lately recon
structed States, which passed.
Mr.. Morrill,, from the Committee on
Agriculture, reported favorably on the
resolution proposing the appointment of
Committee of Five on Education.
Resolution adopted.
Mr.. Morton renewed his motion to take
up the House bill for the relief OF Me-
CANADIAN, which, after discussion, was
carried by vote Of II to 26, and Mr..
Morton moved to send messenger to
the House for the papers connected with
the case Carried.
The special order-the constitutional
amendment-then came up. The amend
ment. as originally introduced by
Henderson, is as follow
SECTION l. No State shall deny or
abridge the right Of its citizsns to vote
and hold Office on account of race, color
or previous condition.
Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to
enforce the provisions Of this act.
The Judiciary Committee reported as
a substitute for the first section the fol-
lowing: 1.-THE rights of citizens of the
United States TO vote and hold office shall
not bo denied or abridged by the United
States, or any State, on account OF race,
color, or previous condition Of servitude."
Mr.. Stewart offered an amendment to
the second section, which was adopted,
conforming it to the language of the 18th
article, that Congress shall have power
to enforce this article, by appropriate
legislation.
Mr.. Stewart then made brief speech
in advocacy of the proposed amend
meut, as reported from the committee.
The substitute for the first section re-
ported by the committee was then
adopted.
Mr.. Buckalew moved to amend the
second clause Of the first section OF
article twenty Of the Constitution of the
United States so that each State shall
appoint, by vote Of the people thereof
qualified TO vote for Representatives in
Congress, number of electors equal to
the whole number Of Senators and Rep
resentstives which the State may be en-
titled to in Congress, but no Senator,
Representative, or person holding an
cfice of trust or profit under the United
States shall be appointed an elector, and
the Congress shall have power to pre-
scribe the manner in which such electors
shall be chosen by the people.
Mr.. Buckalew afterward merged the
amendment into joint resolution, which
was referred.
Mr.. Davis offered an amendment pro.
posing that all constitutional amend
menis shall be submitted for ratification
directly to the people, and after consid-
cradle discussion the amendment was
Withdrawn, and the House bill transfer
ring the Indian Bureau to the War De-
partment wss reported and the Senate
adjourned.
In the House, Mr.. Blaine, from the
Committee On Appropriations, reported
the army appropriation bill, which was
referred 10 the COMMITTEE Of the Whole.