The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-12-29

: Mr.. Morton then withdrew the
amendment, with the intention of in
cooperating it in the form of a bill.
Mr.. Thurman said Georgia had in
good faith complied with every requi-
sition of the reconstruction acts, but it
had been represented to the people of
Georgia by Ex-Governor Brown, the
head and front of the reconstruction
movement there, and others, that the
new Constitution conferred upon the
negroes, not the right to hold office,
but simply the right to vote. The col
ored men who were deprived of seats
in the Legislature did not exceed four
or five in number, and even they par
ticipated in the adoption of the Fif-
teenth Amendment and the election of
United States Senators. He asserted
not n iota of proof could be pro-
duced to show that a single member of
the Legislature was disqualified, and
that the pretext for the present legisla-
ton in regard to Georgia had no foun-
dalton. He declined to have n part
in what he believed the preparation of
d great wrong.
Mr. Casserly moved to amend the
second section so as to make a distinc-
ton in the administration of the oath
therein provided favorable to those
who had given aid to the rebellion in
contradistinction with its voluntary sup
porters. The amendment was agreed
to-yeas 90, nays 2.
Mr.. Carpenter moved the Senate adj
journ until Monday.
Mr.. Drake called for the yeas anti
nays, and said the State of Georgia
might stay out of the Union twenty
years before he would vote to disquali-
fly a single man in the State who was
compelled to aid the rebellion, nor did
he want, after being kept in the Sen
ate chamber until after midnight, in
order to pass the bill, to have the SEN
ate adjourn over until next week sim
ply because an amendment had been
put in which the Judiciary Committee
did not wish to have put in. He pro-
tested against angry feeling and OBJ
jected to any adjournment until final
action had been had upon the bill.
Mr.. Carpenter disclaimed being ac-
tuated by any angry feeling, but said
the bill, in the opinion of its friends,
having been materially lessened in val
ue, they wish to be absolved from any
intention of longer OBTAINING the Sen
ate if the members did not wish to
stay. Upon being appealed to by Mr..
Stewart, he withdrew his motion t ad-
%journ, when the consideration of the
bill was resumed.
Several additional amendments of
fered by Mr. Casserly were agreed to
and the bill was then reported from
| Committee of the Whole.
The amendments were agreed to in
a body, except the one making a dis
tinction in favor of those who had in
voluntarily given aid to rebellion, in
regard to which an animated debate
took place.
Mr.. Howard by way of compromise,
moved an amendment by which all
persons who aided in the rebellion
would be excluded from a seat in the
Legislature of Georgia, except such as
We're forced into the rebel service in
consequence of a direct physical force.
This was offered to take the place of
the amendment of Casserly. The
amendment of Mr.. Howard was agreed
to by q rising veto, 40 in the affirma-
tive. The bill was then read a second
or third time, and passed finally-yeas,
f5 ; It 9, IT strict Purry vote, except
Mr.. Fowler, of Tennessee (R.), who
voted nay.
On a motion of Mr.. Carpenter, the
title of the bill was amended 20 as to
read, GA bill to promote, instead of to
perfect, the reconstruction Of the State
Of Georgia"
On a motion of Mr.. Wilson, the
Senate at 100 A. NJ adjourned until
Monday.