The New York herald., 1870-01-14


body.
Mr. EDMusDs replied that that event might not be
teenthsamendment and the rest OF the legislative
proceedings would not be affected by the fact that
quorum could not be had to take the oath. He con-
sldered the imposition OF the oath necessary as
means OF fnsnr!ng vlrguia's ndelity.
Mr. TRrMBuI- trep.l Of H., said the object of the
amendment was to Rti further delay the admission
OF virginia, because 1t specified that before the
pending b, # passed, could go into erect the oath
refuse to take the oath that single refusal would
prevent the operation Of this legislation and thereby
Keep virginia out OF the Union indefinitely. he
accomplishment OF tnat which the opponents Of
virginia would not undertake to DO openly. Why
TO prevent virglnla's rcstorations when was
end, Congress had the physical power to to
ment, but the faults OF the nation having
been pledged that upon the compliance vita
question for the Senate was now one OF honor and
falr dealing. What was the design, unless 1t was
intended that Virginia was never TO be admitted
30 lar from the Virginia Legislature having been
improperly organized, the information given to Con-
gress was that tho organization was under direc-
tion OF General Candy who was particularly solicit
GUS to carry out to their very letter the laws OF
congress-. II was now proposed upon the mere sug-
gestlon Of disappointed office holders IN virginia,
W keep the State IN her present condition. lie APP
pealed to the friends OF Virginia In the Senate TO
stand Dy the Judiciary Committee and oppose side
which had been reported from that committee
MI SIBERIAN. lrep) OF ONO, said he would favor
Tue ADMISSION OF any unreconstructed STATE which
coihpHeu Win the conditions imposed by Congress.
The amendment would be d test OF that compliance
ia the case OF virginia; for II the fourteenth amend
ment had been duly regarded III the Legislature and
Its members were entitled 10 seats under ir this
amendment would not disqualiiy any OF them. but
tney could all take the prescribed OATH MIR Sner-
man saiu tnat AL the representations thus far
to the Senate were to the effect that the members or
the present Legislature were entitled TO seats
tpe fourteenth anenlincnt: ana there being no ev
dence TO the contrary the necessity for the amend
ment did not appear.
Mr. EpMuNDs remarked that the judiciary Com
nttec nad moi informed the Senate as to the
OF the evidence upon which tney based their report
of the bill for the admission OF Virginia, nor given
any indication OF having mad the least evidence be-
lore them. lie had been informed tnat the commit
tee declined TO hear evidence to the point that mem
Ders OF the Legislature were disqualified.
Mr.. TRuMBuLL discallned any knowledge that
such an ouer ever had been made To the committee
memorial containing the most surprising statements
Senator from Massachusetts and II was likely that
the class OF persons who had nsinuated themselves
INTO the confidence OF that Senator and were spur
ring him on with suggestions might not have been
permitted 10 take up the time or the committee with
those suggestions. II any facts hau been offered by
anybody the committee would nave been happy 10
receive them.
Mr.. SUMNER, trepl OF Mass, inquired Of Mr. Trum-
bull the meaning OF the ailusion 10 himself that ne
was acting upon the suggestions OF Othcrsa
Mr.. TRUMBuLL replied that 1t was sufficient for
him TO know that a person not member OF the
seat OF the Senator from Nevada next that OF the
Senator from Massachusetts.
Mr.. SUMNER SAID that that person was Charles H.
Porter, member eject 10 the House from Richmond
district OF Virginia, who had the same right 10 tue
floor that was given to Governor Walker. OF VlrgI.
MIA, who was also now upon II.
collOquy here cnsued between Senators Sumner
and Trumbull marked with some bitterness, during
which the latter read the proceedings or the court
martial In the Department OF Virginia, which tried
and found guilty or drunkenness aud using treason
able language toward tne United States government
one Charles IL. Porter, OF that state. He remarked
tnat II The Senator from Massachusetts who claimed
to represent loyalty eIceece mad selected this
individual as sample of the pure and virtuous 10y.
atty OF Virginia MS claim the leadership OF tnat
class Of people ought not TO be denied.
Mr.. SUMNER retorted that while pretending TO
Ignore personalities Mr.. Trutnbuli was ever wiling
to follow ms own lncllnatlons In that respect. For
himself, he had supposed that the senator was
capable oI being influenced by reason, but he could
award aim the merit OF the attack upon one who
could not reply upon the floor OF the Senate. The
tenderness which that Senator had shown for the
OF the rebellion and refusal TO aid In
the reconstruction policy only showed him TO be
true to the wayWard course ne had seen tit to pur.
sue since the Initiation OF that policy.
Mr.. TRuMBuLL replied that his record as chair.
man OF the Judiciary Committed from which the
reconstruction measures originated In the Senate
had been reportel, yndicated the sincerity OF his
support OF those measures. I very easy for the
Senator frafn Massachusetts TO assume to be the
special champion OF the loyal people and the coiored
people and to make charges against others; but
whether those assumptions and charges were true
would be shown by the records. lrIase accusations
were made against d member OF the Senate, attrl-
buttng to hn course directly opposite to Ihat
which he had pursued the country's sense OF jusfce
would condemn The author; therefore anything the
Senator from Massachusetts might charge had
no terrors for him. II that Senator had been
permitted TO have his way the clause OF
the constitution That all persons born within the
limits of the United States are ree' would not have
been Incorporated IN that instrument, that Senator
being opposed to the fifteenth amendment When
The time 10 vote upon 1t arrived he left his place in
the Senate and would not vote for It, He SAID that
regardless Of the unreasonable propositions ana i'm
practicable measures OF that Senator freedom had
been secured. Ills unconstitutional measures would
never have accomplished the object yet that Senator
presumed now 10 be the exclusive friend OF the
colored man. But the colOred man would long since
have prayed deliyeraDce from such friendship had
that Senator3 c0unsels prevailed.
MIR. Sumner in the course Of his reply, referred
to the speech alleged to have been maze by Goyer-
nor Walker after the election In Virginia, contain
Ing the statement that the horde OF Greedy cotmo-
unprincipled carpet-oaggers who had IN
tested that State had been driven out He SAID that
this auslon to Northern men who had settled In
Virginia for her good was characteristic or the rep.
resentatvo OF the party which had gained brief con-
troll IN that State by fraud and violence
Mr.. YATES, lrep.) OF III, addressed the Senate
upon the general subject OF reconstruction, assert.
ing that the pighted Iaith OF Congress was not to
the rebel states for their admission, but to the peo
pie or tho loyal states that The conditions already
imposed upon rebels shall be carried out to fulfil
meEt
Mr. SALISBURY ldem.) OF Del, said In view OF the
many professions friendship for the negro whoh
had been maize during the discussion he rose
merely to say, however unpopular the utterance
that he was friend OF the white man.
Mr.. WILEY. (rep.) OF W. Va, submitted an amend
ment as a substitute for that portion OF Mr.. Ed
munds' amendment which requires the taking OF an
oath blythe Legislature before this act could take
effect, providing simply for the imposition Of the
oatn preparatory to the member taking MS seat.
Mr.. EDMUNDs explained that the oath prescribed
In his amendment was not applicable to the LeQis.
lature body, Dut to be imposed upon each indi.
vidual member therefore no delay need be occa-
stoned in the admission OF the State n each one
could take the oatn. II quorum could not take It,
then the State ought not " 1e admitted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Mr. RAMSEY, trep.) OF Mimi, moved to proceed to
the consideration OF executive business, which was
agreed to- 20 TO 27. and at four O'Clock the doors
were closed ana soon after reopened, when the sen
ate adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 1870.