North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1870-06-22
VOLUME XIV---No. 36.
The Case of Georgia.

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Both houses have passed bills relative
to the admission of the State of Geor-
gia to representation in Congress. The
point in controversy is the desire of the
present State government of Georgia to
be perpetuated in Office without re-
election by the people. The State off,
GERS were elected in 1868, the Governor
for four years, to serve until 1872, and
the Legislature for two years, to scr ,e
until November, 1870. The House,
early last winter, passed bill provid-
ing for the admission of Georgia, add
ing thereto what is known as the Bing-
ham amendment which requires an
election for new Legislature in No.
vember, 1870. This bill went to the
Senate where it was variously amended.
Senators Drake, and Motion and Sum-
ner succeeded in attaching to it a re-
enactment of the declaration of inde-
pendence, modified by provisions
authorizing the President to march the
troops into the State, and otherwise
overthrow the civil government, and
substitute military rule in its place.
There were also printed several addi-
tional oaths, and long bill of pains
and penalties for false swearing. The
substance of the Bingham amendment
was, however, retained, but no provis-
ion was made for admitting the State
into the Union. Thus amended, the
bill was returned to the House, where
it has ever since been in the hands of
the committee, of which Mr.. B. F.
Butler is the Chairman. The telegraph
brings us the news that, on Wednesday
last, taking advantage Of the absence
Of several members, Butler induced
those present to strike out the Bingham
amendment altogether, Notwithstanding
both Houses had voted for it. This
trick, for it was nothing more, soon be-
came known, and Mr.. Farnsworth
strongly resented it. The bill will come
before the House in few days, where
We have no doubt, the Bingham
amendment will be retained. The de-
lay in the admission of that State is =
cause of just reproach to Congress, and
that reproach is not the less deserved
because the delay has been the result
of an effort to perpetuate set of Office
holders in Office beyond the term for
which they were lawfully elected.
The State of Georgia is, and has
been for twenty years, the most pros
porous Of all the southern States. 1t
was called, before the war, the Empire
State of the South. 1t has the best
population, in one sense, of all the
States that took part in the rebellion.
The people have shown energy and in
dustry, and thrift far beyond their
When the war broke out,
the State had numerous and well-sus-
tanned railways, and was out of debt.
1t was eminently prosperous, and its
slave property was but small proper
tion of the wealth of the people. Man
ufactures, and general productive in
dustries were under way, and, had there
been no rebellion, the State would have
been now formidable rival for some
of the Northern ones. These people
have gone to work industriously. They
have suffered in common with the others
in the desolations of the war. They
have picked up the broken threads Of
1860, and have given all their ener-
gies to resume the work where it was
left of. They are sick Of rebellion,
and have no more thought of resisting
the national authority than they have
of reviving the Elusinian mysteries.
The American people have long since
reached the conclusion that the war is
over, and that peace has been estab-
lished. The further exclusion of
Georgia from representation in Con-
gress will be an act of despotism which
cannot be extenuated, and which should
merit the dismissal from Congress of
every man who votes for it. The peo-
pie are heartily disguised with this
whole proceeding relating to Georgia,
and they will not submit any longer to
have the powers of the National Gov
ernment misused and abused for the
mere perpetuation in Office of men who
dare not even ask the intelligent me-
groes to re-elect them. 1t is said that
if there be new Legislature elected
in georgia, it will forthwith impeach
Bullock. If Bullock has committed
any official crime for which impeach-
ment is remedy, We hope he will be
impeached. That is a question, how
ever, to be settled by the people of
Georgia, and not by Congress. The du-
ty of Congress is to admit the State to
representation, and let Bullock and all
other of6ce-helders take the consequenc.
es of their official misconduct. Members
of Congress will have to meet their con-
stituents this fall, and there will be
plenty to answer for without assuming,
in addition, the frailties and short
comings of Bullock.
Senator Fowler, of Tennessee, has pro-
posed novel but very effective, mode of
the franking privilege. His
bill reads: "That, after November !, 1870,
all matter now mailable according to law,
shall be transmitted free of Charge Mr..
Fowler might enlarge his scheme still fur
thor hv nrovid;po for a c-oo t,ou.no.A.:.