The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1870-01-26
Congressional.
CONGRESS.
Great Debate I'm the Senate On the
Virginia Bill
WASHINGTON, January l9, 1870



Virginia Bill
WASHINGTON, January l9, 1870
SENATE.
The PRESIDENT submitted the repert
adopted by the late Louisville Convention
in favor Of the Southern Pacific Railroad. |
Several petitions for the abolition ofthe |
franking privilege were presented, creating |
considerable discussion, IN which Messrs. |
DRAKE, -CONKLING, RAMREY and |
HOWE favored the object of the petition, |
and THAYER expressed the belief that it |
was improper for the Postofice Depart |
ment to undertake to bring about legisla-
ton by the circulation of the grossest mis- |
representations Of facts in the shape of
circulars to postmasters, looking to the |
purpose of the petitions The petitions |
were referred
Mr.. PATTERSON presented a memorial
intended to call the attention of Congress
to violation of the revenue laws, whereby
large quantities merchandise were snug
gled into the United States by class of
swindlers and horse thieves who infested
portion of the territory which includes the
city of Matamoras, known as the free belt
The loss Of revenue to the United States
by this unlawful traffic was estimated at
81 100000 to $3.000000 annually. Off
cial correspondence had resulted in the re-
fusal by the Mexican Government to
abolish the free belt, and some remedy for
the evil was now imperative. In view of
its Importance he moved that the memo
rial be tabled and printed, which was
agreed to.
The Virginia bill was then taken up.
Mr.. NORTON continued his remarks
commenced yesterday in favor of the bill.
T,- -, fo4a
ment made by Mr. Norton, that military
commission was now in session in Georgia
to pass upon the qualifications ofmembers
elected to the Legislature By the terms
Of the act of Congress the military COM
mander was commissioned to pass upon
the qualifications of those who were to
take seats in the Legislature. General
Terry had appointed certain persons to
take evidence and communicate to him the
result of their investigation. They were
not appointed to try any one, but simply
to obtain information IN order to prevent
persons not qualified to take the oath re-
quired by Congress from committing per-
Jury.
Mr.. NORTON said his complaint was
based upon the interference of the military
commander with the civil administration
in the State of Georgia, and he believed
the telegraphic dispatches of the press fur
nished sufficient reasons for an official in
quiry by the President of the United
States into the affairs of Georgia and other
States of the South. He thought it unbe-
coming in the Senate to discuss the i'm
position of fundamental conditions upon
a State, while these infractions oflaw were
being daily perpetrated in its name. The
newspapers this morning contained infor-
nation that Gen. Ames had been elected
United States Senator from Mississippi
yet this man was not even a citizen of that
State, but by virtue of his position as a
General of the United States he was en-
abled to control and manipulate the State
elections and its civil affairs In regard to
the imposition of fundamental conditions,
he believed the effort now made was only
calculated to enfeeble the Union and post
pone the day of reconciliation, and he en-
treated Senators to return to their ancient
principles, without adherence to which no
free Government could live.
Mr.. WILSON said various memorials
had been introduced during the present
discussion, which the judiciary Committee
had had no opportunity ofconsidering, and
that the House bill had never been before
the committee, and he therefore movod to
refer the bill to that committee.
Mr. TRUMBULL appealed to the SEN
ate to dispose of the bill upon its merits,
in order to take up other important meas
ures Of legislation, upon which the public
interests urgently required prompt action.
If majority of the Senate had determined
that State which had complied with all
conditions should not be admitted, let them
say so directly. The time of the Senate
had been consumed by the hour in discuss
ing the character ola single individual, the
Governor of Virginia, but it should not be
forgotten that the Senate confirmed for Of
fee not only those who had made speeches
against the dominant party, but men who
had shot down our brothers in the field.
If the understanding was that no such man
should take part IN the new State govern
ments of the rebellion, it was a new under
standing, for all previous legislation had
been framed with a view that rebels should
take part in the new government. The
States already reconstructed were admitted
on this basis
Mr.. SUMNER said he was not in favor
| of the action proposed by the Senator from
/ Illinois, who would admit to the Union 4
| State still smoking with rebellion He
asserted that the late election in Virginia
was huge fraud, and that the people had
voted for Gov. Walker for the purpose of
embittering the State, and through him
nulhfy the new Constitution, and trample
out the proposed system of free schools.
After further discussion Mr.. MORTON
favored the amendment of the bill so as to
declare specifically that the adoption of her
! Constitution as whole in good faith was
a condition of Virginia's admission Such
q provision would be preferable to Mr.. Ed
munds's amendment because of its more
general character, for it would prevent
notification of any particular part of the
Constitution, particularly the common
school provisions, and that relating to the
school fund. He would have Virginia ap-
preciate the fact that violation of the
terms of admission would compel Congress
to deal with her; that by the simple act OF
admission the State did not pass beyond
the control of Congress. If the people
there understood that Congress was in
earnest. there would be ample security fol
all loyal people in the State.
| Mr.. HOWARD inquired as to the means
by which remedy for breach of the con-
dition would be applied
Mr.. MORTON replied that he could moi
undertake to say now, bat when heprop,
er time arrived 1t would be for Congress tc
Determine the character and extent of re-
dress. This had been the course adopted
with regard to Georgia, which, after re-
construction, had been remanded to hel
former State.
Mr.. DRAKE declared his opposition tC
the admission Of Virginia while the Eff
teenth amendment waSstill pending H
therefore moved to postpone further con
, sideratiOn of the subject until FEBRUARY
28th
The Senate voted on the amendment o
, Mr. Edmunds TO require the imposition o
an oath upon State officers, that they ar
eligible under the Fourteenth amendmen
which was agreed to. yeas 46, nays l6.
Adjourned.