The New York herald., 1870-05-20
FoRTY-FIRsT CONGRESS.
Second Session.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, May 10, 1870.

WASHINGTON, May 10, 1870.
SUFFRAGE DISTINCTIONS IN RHODE ISLAND.
Mr.. PoMERoY, rep, OF Kansas, presented me.
moral OF 900 citizens OF Rhode Island representing
that in that state there IL distinction between
white male citizens TO the right to vote; natural
ized citizens beng denied the ballot unless possessed
OF $3.50 worch of real estate. lie thought the evil
complained Of should be remeded by Rhode Island
amending her legislation; that Congress could not
apply any remedy unless by virtue OF the fourteenth
amendment. The basis OF representa- ion In that
State was reduced. No inequality between white
citizens In the suffrage should be allowed to con-
tinue, ana he gave notice that he would bring in
bill on the subject.
Hills AND RESOLUTIONS INTRODUCED.
By Mr. SllERMAN, Uep.l of Ohi0.-For the aami5-
sion OF photographs for exhibition free OF duty.
BY Mr.. PoNERoY-Amendatory OF the Presumption
laws.
By Mr.. FENroN Tep.) OF N y. (by special requestl-
To regulate the seizure or books ana papers and the
disposition OF the proceeds Of lines, penalties and
forierures incurred under the laws relating
toms, and for other purposes.
BY Mr. PoMEIoY-R Requesting the President TO
open negotiations with the government OF Great
Britain, with view 10 ascertain whether union
can be effected OF British North American provinces
win tue united States on terms honorable to both.
A resolution calling for postal information
agreed to.
BILLS REPORTED.
ported, with amendments the bill 10 reduce taxa
ton The amendments consist merely OF modltica-
tons to avoid antiquities, with an additional
section authorizing the President, in his discretion,
TO discontinue or Consolidate internal oyenue dts
tricts.
Mr. RAMSEY, (rcp.) OF Mnn., nom the Post Onlce
Committee reported the bill regulating the rates OF
postage Win foreign countries, with which interna-
tlOnal postal charges are not established by treaties
Mr. SPENCER, (fep.) Of Ala, from the Committee
on Commerce, reported the bin to appoint an Ap.
praiser OF Merchandise for the port OF Mobile.
ENFORCING THE rIFrEENTH AMESDMENr.
Al twonv minutes past twelve O'Clock p. NJ the
pending business-the eensh Amendment bill
WAS proceeded with, aud Mr.. HAMILTON, tienD of
Nd, concluded his Argument in Illustration OF The
unconstitutional and generally detective character
oil tho bill. The bill would, In practice, repeal tile
well inaturcd registration OF Maryland and all other
registration, and substantially deny to all election
officers far trial. because when charged with inter
fering Will coloreI vOier they were 70 be tried in
United St.tes court, where the marshal who
moned the Jury held his position by virtue OF his
politics. Under the bill IL would not be safe {, talk
to negro before an election because he was 10 have
the right, upon his single affidavit TO cause the arrest
oI any man whom he may charge with q supposed
interference witt his rights.
MI. ScHuRz, Tep OF Mo-, said that In attacking
the legality or the fifteenth amendment the demo-
cratic meinbeis had hoisted the true flag OF their
party and had wldened the discussion beyond mere
technical points. The republican party was charged
by the fifteenih and Other amendments. He did not
deem 1t proper 10 Plead mot guilty" TO the charge
but would admit the tact. We had passed through a
revolution With corresponding change OF the
stituton. In Illustration OF this he contrasted the
doctrine OF state sovereignty and the slavery argu.
Dciofc VIII prt-elt al
policy III enforcing NE three great constitutional
amendments, aboshing slavery, securing the rights
0i citiz nshp aud enfranchising the cOlored race.
Inc wa grew out or systematic violation OF indi-
vdual rights by States 1t ended by national pro-
dsctic,. @ n Individual rights in the states.
ana violent change In the condition OF the colOred
race OF the South from slavery to liberty. Some
provision was necessary 10 secure Them against fne
dictation OF their former masters. The Senator from
Maryland (Mr. Iamilt0n) had argued that the con-
stitutional amendment prohibiting certain powers TO
arlnI L<,.
overlooked the TACT that in the fifteenth amendment
the provision was expressed that Congress reserved
the b was 70 IN ey egate p
II ever so perfect II would be objected to by demo-
Gratis upon old pro-slayery and State rights prncl-
pies, because the bill limited the power OF
state to deprive man OF his rights. He
mr. Shurzl would give to The State governments
as much power compatible with The safety OF
the general government. lie was strenuouslv on.
posed to all undue accumulation Of powers in the
general government and still more TO all centraza-
tlOn oil administrative functions, ana thought the
republican party would do well to direct, rather
than resist the current OF popular opinion on that
question. The revolution nad not abolished the
legitimate sphere or State rights. II his Democratic
friends would dispense with legislation like that now
proposed they would advise the friends in the South
10 act fairly with the colOred men and not ruin
themselves by vainly.resisng the Inevitable. rms
would acc complish much more for self.government
than all their lugubr1ous maledlctons and would
materially improve their chances of success.
Mr.. Pool, (rep.j OF N. c.. then took the floor. He
said the bill was proposed as a means of securing
the rights OF an electOr under the fifteenth amend
mcnt when those rights were denied by the omis-
sion OF State TO make laws to execute them, and,
therefore, was directed not to the State but each
citizen. He held That for the purpose OF securing
liberty Congress had the right to 20 into any the
states, states Ihe amendment might be abridged by one
ment to discharge or employ him, to vote In par.
ucuar way, or by organizations formed for the pur.
pose. He gave uotce or an amendment to provide
for such cases. The juries In communities where
the offences were committed were often composed
of the friends OF the men indicted. Therefore, he
nsfr
Courts Of the United States He held that the pre-.
negatives OF citizenship could not safely be left To
Mr.. MowsRD. trep) OF Mich. said the right of the
black man 10 vote in the late surrectionary States
was now, and would be for half q century, tile great
safeguard hywhich peace and the national authority
was TO be maintained there. He believed that II the
leaders OF the rebellion should at distant day gain
control OF the South we would have to fight the war
over again. Notwithstanding the Southern people
had failed % attain the real object OF their rebellion
national indeDendence--and had lost their property
and high boasting spirit they had not, and would
not for five generations to come lose their ungnench
able, irradicabie hatred Of Northern society and
government In the event OF a foreign war we would
disposition South to join the enemy FOR the pur
pose OF putting down this government for which
they entertain so bitter deteStatiOn He then pro-
cceded to reply 20 Mr. Ferry, and quoted from the
Joint Committee on Reconstruction Ia 1866 to show
that that Senator's position was In antagonism with
that OF the republican party North and South.
Universal amnesty would one day bring back to
these halls Jefferson Davis and the ringleaders OF
the rebellion to rehatch and revvify the lost cause
He would never consent to place his own name on
the same list OF yeas and nays with those of Davis
Brecknridge ana To0mbs. Personal pride would
forbid his alation with perjured traitors and the
enemies OF his country.
THE GEORGIA CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION.
Without concluding Mr.. Howard yielded the door
to MI. TRUMBULL, rep.) or Ill., VINO made report
from the Judiciary Committee upon the resolution
directing inquiry as TO whether corrupt means had
been used to influence votes OF Senator's on the
Georgia bill. He said the report was unanim Gus,
except so far as 1t was modified by the Statements
OF two members Of the committee. 1t was ordered
to be printed,
AT hafpast four O'Clock the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
WASHINGTON, May 10. 1870.
CANNON FOR SOLDIERS MONUMENT.