Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-05-21
F0RTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
This Mornings Proceedings.
The senate Passes the Bill 20 Enforce
the Fifteenth Amendment

S--NnA Ah>'-rLseWnere viii De found report
oi the proceedings of the Senate up to this
morning at three O'Clock. Atthat hour
MI. Thurman again took the floor. and alluded
70 the statement Of his colleague Mr. Shermanl
that the strength Of the Democratic narfy Law In
pes, houses OF the large cities, and also 10 the
cuases OF otner Senators that that partv svrn
pathised with traitors. He said that sensiars
should be ashamed 10 thus stigmati ne one hslf
& Sl .hsi. I owh coontr ymen, and he could not see
could make such a statement.
The amendment Of Mr.. Sherman, with the
iast amendment stricken out, was then agreed
Mr.. Stewart then modified the 18th sectio,
py sIlking out that part authorizing the PreSi
zen, 70 empower another person TO employ the
land and naval forces OF the United States 10 en-
force the execution Of this act.
Mr. Morton moved an amendment making 4,
on,nsat s punishable by fine and impris-
ohment, lor any person TO intimidate A colored
voter by threatening to terminate his lease or
eJecting him from houses, lands or other prop
Mr.. Casserly said the effect of this would be 10
prevent landlord from collecting his rent at
The amendment was agreed to-ayes 36, noes Q.
Mr.. Pool moved an amendment providing fine
and imprisonment not exceeding $40 900 and ten
years, and perpetual disqualification for OF
nee, OF any persons banding together in disouise
to intimdate or deprive any person OF the TsSbts
70 snch ne Is entitled by the fifteenth amend
Mr.. Wiley moved to strike out from the sec-
ond section that clause providing that any per
son deprived OF his vote may, on suit. recover
500 from the person so depriving him. Mr.. w.
said he considered this as demoralizing and de-
grading the elective franchise.
Ihe motion was rejected-ayes 21, noes q.
MI. carpenter moved an amendment that any
person deprived OF any office, except a member
OF Congress or a State legislature by reason of
violation Of provisions OF this act by excludinS
those who are entitled to II from voting NAV
recover possession OF the same by writ Of 0uo
warranto. Mr.. Z. said this was substantiaIIr
the fifth section, which had been stricken out.
MI. Thurman said this would enable any set
OF men after the election TO come up and swear
they were derived of their vote, and upset An
eiecuon for Governor or any other ficer and
although they might commit perjury, there
would be no means Of discovering it.
Mr.. Carpenter advocated his amendment He
wanted the negro to have his rights. His rad-
eansm was not of that kind which INDUCED in
pioody speeches when there was nothing to do;
but when the necessity existed he was for action
and be was for doing everything 70 make these
cruel devils of the South give to the negro his
rights
Mr.. Williams doubted the propriety OF the
amendment Under il, in any closely-contested
eieclon, II would be IN the power Of the de-
feated candidate to throw out his successful
competitor. He thought the amendment would
do more mischief than good.
MIR. Morton reported that he thought this mo-
position was rather broader than the fifteenth
amendment.
After some further discussion, Mr.. Carpenter
modified his amendment to provide that eyi-
dence shall be required that the party who was
deprived OF his vote offered it at the polls when
II was agreed to-ayes q, NAYS 22.
Mr.. Williams moved TO amend the sth section
by striking out that part authorizing the United
States Marshals to summon the land and naval
forces of the United States and the State militia
70 ald them IN executing any warrant in process
Mr.. Hamilton of Texas, said the people of the
North, Senators from that section, did not know
what the loyal people Of the South had to SUI fer
There seemed TO be great fear of using the mill
tary to suppress the outrsges that prevailed
Why not put our officers and soldiers TO some
p r1nr
fingers in their mouths doing nothing The
rebels were omnipotent to-day, from the Poto-
mac to the Rio Grande. Senator'S seemed 10
think peace was secured, but they will wake m
some day and lind the danger is not over vet
lMr. Chandler.-That's SOL Talk about am
nesty, let the Union people of the South once
mob, and they will tell you to a man thew are
opposed to amnesty. They will tell Won that
sny sey no. only DON'T want the rebels TO have Of
nee, but they want them excluded from the
polls. Mr.. Nye.-So they ought TO be. M
Howard and Mr.. Chandler.-That's SOL When
ever rebel offends, the way TO deal with him is
to take him by the throat and knock him in fbe
head Mr. Chandler.-Sound doctrinel He
wished he had his mornings mail, which was
only a sample OF what he got every day-a re-
c1tal OF half dozen outrages, and never any
one arrested. tMr. Howard-And they never
viii be- Your laws dead letter, TNr
o,ia. OnahahserEdhsts ah So Millions of people all
This bill would accomplish something M nassed
as IT was reported; but if first one thing and
tneH aHolucI Nds sTuCk out, the bill might A.
well be thrown over; IL would be OF no use
lMr Chandler.-He's walked up.l You can't
get along anywhere IN the South without the |
aid Of the military.
MIR. Williams had no idea of cuIling out the |
earnest speech OF the Senator from Texas. He |
was surprised, however, after we were pestered /
for years by these Southern States to admit |
them, and after their repeated assertions that
they were able to maintain a civil Government
and now that their Senators and Representa-
tyes are here on equal terms with those of the |
Cther States, they are continually importuning 1
us for military aid.
The amendment Of Mr.. Williams was rejected.
ayes 12, nays 49,
Several amendments offered by Messrs Wick /
ers and Stockton were agreed to.
The question was then taken on the motion of L
Mr.. Stewart TO substitute the Senate hill as
amended for the House bill, which was agreed |
to-yeas 50, nays9.
The question then being on the passage of the |
Mr.. Thurman said 80 many amendments had
been put to this bill that there was NOT one Ser
a or on this floor who knew what IL was Tt was
a bill which shocked every principIe of free
government. He moved to commit fba hin e.
the Judiciary Committee. ''A W
Mr.. Trumbull suggested that the bill as n novr
stands be printed, and the vote be taken on |
Monday without debate.
Mr.. Stewart thought il best to pass the bin /
now.
The motion OF Mr.. Trumbull was rejected.
and the bill was then passed-ayes 42, nays s. and
now goes back TO the House.
The Senate then, at Z a. m, adjourned until /
Monday, the session, with the recess of two 4
hnr1 re hnx swarxl ae..Nr