The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1869-01-24
XLth CONGRFSS---Thild Session
WASHINGTON, Jan. %.

/
| On motion Of Mr.. Stewart his joint resolu
tion, for an nendment to the Cons ituiiol
il regard TO suffrage, was taken up and mad
the special order for Thursday next.
| Nj Dixon gave notice that be would offel
| the proposed amendment by Conventions, in
csrtifcation Of the proposed amendment By
the Conventions in thirty-s;x of the Statea
instead Of BY the L ,gisla.ures.
| A motion for an executive session WAS re-
jected, and the Senate. on motion of Mr.
| Wilson, agreed to the House amendment to
the joint resolution respecting the Provision.
al Governments Of Virginia and Texas. with
An amendment extending ito provisions to
the State of Mississippi
The resolution - passed removes oil per
sons holding civil Offices 10 the States named
who cannot take the oath prescribed BY the
act Of July, 1856, and for the appointmentin in
their places Of persons Who can, BY the Dis.
trict Commanders. The resolution does not
take effect until thirty days after its passage,
and not to apply to such officers - have had
their disabilities removed BY Congress.
The Air Line Railroad bill, ~ the unfin-
ished business of yesterday, came up for
consideration.
Mr.. Pomeroy moved to postpone it for the
purpose ofbringing MP the bin relating TO the
Central branch Of the Union Pacific Railroad
Mr.. Hendricks said he intended to submit
some remarks in opposition to the Air Line
bill when it should be under consideration.
He had been a first opposed to the bill rela-
ting to the Central branch Of the U. P. R. R.
which it Was now proposed to take up, but
further investigation had satie6ed him that in
view of past legislation it ought to pass.
Tkn - 4 ~ =.
bill and took up the Central Branch bill by q
vote Of 33 yeas, to Is nays.
Mr.. Morrill,, Of Vt, offered an amendment
which was lost.
Mr.. Sherman opposed the bill.
Mr.. Cofbett moved to add a proviso that
no more government bonds shall be issued to
said company, but that the government msy
guarantee the interest on said bonds for 20
years.
The bill was debated until $50 o clock,
when the deceased Representative, Mr..
Kinds, was eulogized, and at 4 O'Clock ad
journed
After discussion as to the order of busi-
ness, Mr.. Boutwell, called up tho Constitu.
tional amendment and the bill in regard to
suffrage and opened debate on it, saying
thos lAio " No bu0 a0ot vi tu6 XE66t mcHouICU
Of rec obstruction. If tho right of suffrage
was secured to all citizens of the United
States, without respect to race or color, the
Republic would be established on q sure
basis 1t is impossible for this Congress or
the Republican party to escape that issue. 1t
was unusual, he knew, to present measures
from party point, but the situation was pc
culiar to the Republican party; the nation
was indebted to it for its existence, and it
was responsible for it's popularity aud peace.
He explained the provisions of the amend
ment and argued at length in its favor, claim
ing the right of Congress to legislate on the
question independent Of any action on the
part Of States.
His argument, which lasted two hours, was
occasionally interrupted BY questions from the
members.
In conclusion he said the Republican par
to must not stand where it is, but must move
forward to complete the great work it has
undertaken.
Mr. Brooks said in order to carry out the
principles advocated BY the gentleman from
Massachusetts, he proposed to offer to amend
the bill by striking out the word "citizen,"
wherever it occurred and substituting for it
the word "person," and otherwise altering it
SO it will read: No State shall abrisde or
deny the right of any person in the United
States to vote by reason Of his Or her race,
color, sex, nativity or age, when over twenty
one yenrA.
The amendment was ordered printed.
Mr.. Robinson gave notice OF an amend
ment by substituting for the word ''citizens, =
the words ''inhabitants having no other res.
idence elsewhere than in the u. s."
The amendment WAS ordered printed.
Mr.. Knott addressed the House in opposi.
ton to the bill, and proposed the constitu.
tional amendment. The point of his argument
was that the 14th constitutional amendment
could not be made retroactive, and that no
person could be disfranchised under it for
participating in the rebellion.
Mr.. Cullom obtained the floor. but Welded
for various motions.
Mr.. Van Wyck asked leave to offer reso-
luton calling on the President for iuforma-
ton - to why he had pardoned John and
William Matingly, convicted in Kentucky for
whisky frauds, and sentenced to pay fine
Of $32. 600.
Mr.. Brooks objected.
Mr.. Harding asked leave to offer resou-
ton calling on the Secretary Of the Interior
for information as to the dischage Of clerks
from the Pension Bureau and the retention
Of others who had been in the rebel service. /.
Mr.. Brooks objected.
Mr.. Dawes gave notice of his intention
soon to call up the Georgia contested elec-
tion case.
Adjourned.