Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-12-18
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE.
ARMY Reduction.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-hr. Wilson
introduced bill to provide for the reduc-
ton of officers of the army. 1t author
ICES the Secretary of War to honorably
discharge any infantry officers who may
amply. provided the number left in ser
vice shall not be reduced below the
requirements of twenty-five regiments
authorized by law. Officers thus dis
charged on their own application, shall
receive from one TO two years extra pay
and allowances, according to their terms;
If a reduction TO the requirements OF
TWENTY-FIVE regiments is not thus effected,
the Secretary Of War is authorized TO
effect 1t by mastering ont the supernum-
eraries under the above terms, giving two
years extra pay to officers who nave
served more than ten years; and one ana
a half years to pay to those who have
served from five to ten years, and one
years pay to all others
Cables.
Mr. Summers cable bill was taken up
and discussed until the expiration OF the
morning hour, when the Senate resumed
the consiC Grafton of
The Georgia bill.
Mr.. Williams submitted an amendment
substantially similar to Mr.. Morton $,
which that Senator accepted as a modlf1-
cation to his own, viz, that the Legisla-
ture shall ratify the fifteenth amendment
proposed to the Constitution of the United
States. before the Senators and Repre-
sentatives from Georgia are admitted to
seats in Congress.
The discussion was further continued;
the main points that being, by requiring
the adoption of the Fifteenth Amend
ment as q precedent at this time, Con
gress might incur the danger of debating,
and compelling the adoption of the terms;
that a State being in duress at the time,
could not afterwards be bound by its &C
ton; that thereby said action might be
proved invalid. The adoption of a con-
stitutional amendment, depending for Its
ratification on such action, rendered II
| nugatory. The Senate then took recess
until 1880.
In the evening session the Consldera-
ton of the Georgia bill was resumed.
The discussion which followed assumed a
wide range on political topics and was con
tinued to a late hour. The Senate voted
ON the amendment of Mr. Williams, that
the Legislature shall ratify the Fifteenth
Amendment proposed to the constitution
of the United States before the Senators
and Representatives are admitted to seats
in Congress, adopted il by yeas,
50, noes, Is. Carpenter, COnklin,
Corbett, Fowler, and Rice, Republicans,
voted in the negative.
The question required on the latter por'
ton of the amendment, submitted
by Mr.. Morton, providing fol
the infection of penalties upon
persons rendered ineligible to hold office,
except those whose disabilities have beer
removed by Congress, who shall attempt
to exercise any Office created by the Con
stitution and laws of Georgia.
The amendment is also retrospective
affecting all persons who may have
been already elected TO Office.
Thurman objected to the amendment,
| because of its unlimited character
Mr.. Morton then withdrew the amend,
ment, with the intention of incorpora'
ting IL IN lHC 10TH Ol Il b4lt-
Mr.. Casserly moved TO amend the sec,
ond section, making a distinction in the
| administration of oath therein, provided
| it was favorable TO those who had giveT
aid to the rebellion, in cOntradistinctiOr
with its voluntary supporters. The
amendment was agreed to-yeas, 20
noes, ..
Several additional amendments Offered
by Mr.. Casserly were agreed to.
The bill then reported from the Com
mittee of the Whole and amendments
were agreed to in a body, except the ont
making distinction in favor of those whC
had Involuntary given aid TO the rebel
| lion, in regard to which an animated de
bate took place.
Mr.. Howard, by way Of a compTomls'
moved an amendment by which all per
sons who aided in the rebellion would b
excluded from a seat in the Legislature Il
Georgia, except such as were forced int
the Rebel service in consequence of direc
physical force. This was offered TO tax
the place of the amendment Of Mr. Cas-
serly's amendment
| Towards amendment was agreed to b
rising vote of 10 in It's favor. III
bill was then read a second and thir
time and passed finally, yeas 45, nays
This was strict psriy vote, except FoN
Ter, who voted nay.
On motion of Mr.. Carpenter the title {
the bill was amended to read bill
"promote" instead of to perfect Il
reconstruction of the State of Georgia.
On motion of Mr.. Wilson, the Scna
al lao 4. NJ, adjourned until Monday.