Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-01-24
CONGRESSIONAL
wAsH1NeroN, January %, 1863.

the late President Lincoln.
The House resolution, asking informa-
ton of the departments as to how many
buildings in Washington are used by
them, was adopted.
Mr.. Kelsey offered a resolution calling
on the Secretary OF State for informa-
ton as to the property of VIM. +. Hsr-
ris, an American citizen, who died in
Bahia, Brazil, In 1852, and whose prop
erty was seized by the Brazilian govern
ment at that time. Adopted.
On motion Of Mr.. Spaulding, the SEN
ate's amendment to the resolution pro-
viding for the disposition Of certain pa
pers relating to military claims accrulng
to the Departmental the West, vas taken
from the Speakers table and nOn-con-
Cured in.
Mr.. Stewart's joint resolution for a con-
stitutional amendment relative to suf-
frage was then taken up, aud Mr.. Dixon
gave notice OF an amendment requiring
3 ratification of the proposed amendment
by conventions of three-qusrters of the
States, instead Of by the Legislatures.
The bill was made the special order for
Monday.
On the motion of Mr.. Wilson, the
House then agreed 10 the amendment
made by the House to the joint resolu
ton respecting the provisional govern
ments of Virginia and Texas, and also
TO another amendment extending the
provisions OF the amendment to Missis-
sippi, and the resolution was passed as
follows:
RESOLVED, That the persons now hold
ing civil offices in the provisional gov
ernments of Virginia and Texas, who can
not take the oath provided by the act to
prescribs the oath OF office, ETC., approved
July %, 1856, shall be on the passage
Of this resolution, removed therefrOm,
and their places shall be filled by the
District Commanders, by the appoint
ment Of persons who can take such oath,
provided that the provisions of this reso-
luton shall not apply to persons who, by
reason OF the removal of their disabili-
ties, shall have been qualified for any
office, in pursuance Of this act requiring
an oath OF Office to be taken by persons
from whom legal disabilities shall have
been removed provided, further, that
this resolution hall not take effect TIL
thirty days after it's passage, and that
| the provisions Of this resolution are
hereby extended to Mississippi.
Mr.. Trumbuil, from the Judiciary Com
mittee, reported sn amendment to the
act to protect ali PERSONS in their civil
rights, and to furnish near Of their vim
dicstion.
Railroad matters were then discussed,
after which the death Of Hirds, of Ar
kansas, was announced, and the Senate
soon thereafter adjourned.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Boutwell, called up his Constitu.
tional amendment and bill in regard to
suffrage, and opened the debate upon it.
This, he said, was the last of the great
reconstruction measures, and If the right
OF suffrage was secured to ell citizens of
the United States, without respect to
race or color, the republic would be es-
tablished on q sure basis. 1t is impossi-
bic for this Congress or the Republican
party to escape this issue. He knew Ii
was unusual to present measures from a
mere party point Of view, but the situs-
ton was peculiar. The Democratic
party, from the opening OF the war until
they had been Identified with measures
calculated to prevent the restoration Of
the Union, by and through the influence
OF the war to the Republican party, the
nation was indebted for is existence,
and therefore it was responsible for the
perpetuity and peace of the nation which
It had saved. The Committee on Recon-
struction invited examination and cTiti-
cism as to the phraseology and objects of
tae proposed amendment and law. Mr..
Boutwell, then explained the provisions
of the amendment, which has already
been published, and argued 1T length,
claiming the right of Congress to legis-
late on the question of suffrage, indie
pendent Of any action on the part of
States.
Mr.. Eldridge Inquired whether the
States possessed no powers except such
IS were granted by the Constitu-
ton, and said that he understood it ex-
sctly the other way, viz: That the
United States Governmental no power
except such as vas granted by the
States.
Mr.. Boutwell, replied that il the Con-
stitution says that q State shall have
certain powers, even though there may
be no negative in the proposition, the
State cannot go beyond that grant. He
quoted Patrick Henry and Madison to |
sustain his view, and the debates on the
Constitution in the various States to |
show that the opponents OF the Consti.
tuition claimed that the fourth section of
the first article gave Congress COM
plete control over the question of suf
frage, and the friends of the Constitution
neverdenying that it did, and the conclu- |
sion OF the whole matter was that the
power to make regulations concerning
1t was vested ia the States, and that tho
power Of the General Government over
suffrage and representation was compre
hensive, and vas necessary to its exis- |
tence, or, in other words, the power was
In the States, subject 20 the controlling
influences and the General Govern.
ment. He also based the power of Con-
gress on that provision of the Constitu-
ton by which the United States is to
guarantee to each State 3 republican
form of government. Boutweli's areu-
ment, which lasted two h,urs, was oecs.
sionslly interrupted by questions from
the members Of the other side OF the
House. In conclusion, he said "The
Republican party must stand where it
is, but 1t must and will move forward TO
complete the great work it has under
taken.p
Mr.. Brooks said that In order to carry
out the principles advocated by the pen.
tleman from Massachusetts,, he proposed
to offer an amendment to the bill nv
striking out the word "citizen" when.
ave iG occurs and substituting the
word person" and otherwise altering
it 80 that it will read: "That no State
will abridge or deny the right of anv
person in the United States TO vote nv
of his or her race, color, sex, ma.
tivity or age, when over q years.n The
mendment was ordered TO be printed.
Mr.. Robinson gave notice Of an amend
ment by substituting the words {" inhab-
itsnts having no other residence else.
than 10 the United States" which
was also ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Knott then addressed the House
in opposition to the bill and the proposed ;
ConBtitati0ns, amendment. The point
Of his argument wss that the I4th !
Amendment could not be made retro
and that no person could be dis
franchised, Z
Mr.. Davis gave notice that he intend
I'd soon to call up the Georgia contested !
case, and the House adjourned !