Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-01-30
CONGRESSIONAL.
c esel.,ien Of Yesterday. Prece.aia..


SxsArx.AAner orr report closed yesterday.
ment reIstfnR 70 the colored sufrag--bsing "a.
der ConsiGeTa1ou- 49,
Mr.. Dixon proceeded to argue that Congress
had no power to regulate the suffrage In the
Mr. Pomeroy said the moment the Rapubli.
can party abandoned its principle of projection
and equal nights for the colored man. instead
oil losing a few thousand votes il would go TO
pieces, and in considering the proposed exten.
sion of the suffrage, advocated that now was
the time TO extend 1t to the women,
Mr.. Morton. from the COMMITTEE on Retrench.
ment and Reform, submitted the following
amendment offered yesterday by Mr.. Bucks-
"Section 2 The second clause, first section.
second article OF the Constitution Of the United
states. shall be amended to read as follows
Zach state shall appoint, by a vote Of the peo-
pie thereon qualified to vote for Representatives
III Congress, number of electors equal to the
whole number Of Senators and Represe natives
TO which the State may be entitled in the Con-
gress; but no Senator or Representative, or per-
son noldiDg any Office of trust or profit under
the United States, shall be appointed an cleo
tor; and the Congress shall have po wer to pres.
cribe the manner In W hich such electors shall
De- CHOSEN by the people,"
Mr.. Morton briefly advocated the PROPOSE.
uon.
The question was announced AS being on the
amendment OF Mr.. Dixon, providing that the
Amendment shall be submitted to conventions
to be chosen by the people of the different States
instead OF the Legislatures.
Mr.. Davis was in favor OF Mr.. Dixon's amend
meDt III The abstract. but he should vote Tor
none Of these propositions. he maintained
that this Congress was not competent to sub.
init amen dments to the constitution when Ger.
taiD States OF the Union were forcibly deprived
OF their representaton-of that equal represen-
tation which the constitution guaranteed to
the m in this body.
The constitutional amendment was then
passed over informally, and Mr.. Wilson asked
to take mp the bill to reduce the military force
and for other purposes.
The bill was then taken up and read. 1t pro-
vides that the grade or regimental commissary
In the several cavalry regiments be abolished
Also the grades of regimental commissary ser.
geant, regimen tai hospital steward, and for the
reduction OF corporas. 1t also pro yides for the
discharge of "a bands; that the term Of enlist.
ment for all arms of the service shall be years:
the corps Of Judge advocates Of the army is
increased from eight to teni all parades, drills
and reviews other than necessary inspections
are prohibited on the Sabbath; enlisted men are
not TO be held under arrest for offenses without
trial longer than commissioned officers; no Off.
Ger or enlisted man who shall be unfit for duty
by reason of h. bitual use of liu uors or drugs
or by any disease incurred through his own
immortality, shall receive any pay during the
time: the number OF second Iieuienants to be
appointed hereafter shall not exceed fifty AMIN.
ally; 10 person shall BE- appointed Chaplain
whose age exceeds forty years; no post chaplain
and when relieved from duty his place shall be
supplied by clergyman of different depomi-
nation. The bill was passed.
The resolution of Mr.. Con Killing to provide
for select committee of five to consider what
legislation Is necessary with reference to the
taxing of the next census was passed. The
Senate then adjourned.
HoUsK.-After our report closed yesterday
Discussion on the Suffrage am ndmsnt to the
Constitution was continued at some length by
Messrs. Kelley, Sheilabarger, Bingham, Ward,
Butler, Pile, Schofeld and Boutwell,, who
closed the debate, when the pre-, ious question
on reconsidering the vote by which the amend
ment was recommItted to the Committee on the
Judiciary was seconded, and il was agreed to-
Mr.. Boutwell, (HIass.) then withdrew his
motion TO recommit, and the resolution was
before the House.
property or educational qualification should
ever be required OF any yoIer.
MT. Bingham (Ohio) said he hoped this
would not be adopted. 1t was known that by a
rule OF construction, sanctioned by the best iu-
rists OF the country, the States might make a
uncer the head Of education or property, If any
such proposition as this was put INTO the con.
stitutIon.
Mr.. Boutwell, Mass said he had proposed
the amendment at the suggestion of several
members from Ohio. He did not care " neither
the House adop'ed il not. His own opinion
was that IL would be better to send the naked
prop osition to the people as it came from the
committee.
Mr.. Wilson (Iowa) said it was held by some
zenshp, and If it was settled that all the male
inhabitants of the United States over twenty
one years OF age were citizens of the same, their
right 10 vote would be unquesioned.
The previous QUESTION was seconded on The
amendment, and II was rejected.
Messrs. Bingham and Shellabarger (Ohio)
proposed anne ndments, which were ordered TO
be printed; after which the House adjourned.