Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-03-31
xLlst CONGRESS---2d SESSION.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, March 30.-NLr
Julian introduced a resolution extend
ing the United States land laws ovel
Alaska. Referred.
Mr.. Butler, OF Massachusetts
Chairman of the Reconstruction Com.
mittee, reported back the Senate
amendment to the bill admitting
Texas, with a recommendation thai
the amendment be c0ncurred in. The
amendment is to strike out the pro.
vision that nothing in the bill shall
effect the condition with which Texas
was originally annexed to the Union.
Mr.. Butler explained the amend
ment, showing that a construction
had been put on the proviso in the
Senate that one of the original condi-
tions was that Texas might be divided
into four States, wherein slavery
should exist. 1t would re-establish
slavery there. He therefore protested
against that construction of the bill.
If it contained a direct prOviso estab-
fishing slavery in Texas it would SIM
ply be void and of no effect. How
could any man in his senses come to
the conclusion that prQyiso in bill
saying that nothing in 1t would effect
that question would establish slavery,
which was prohibited by the constitu-
ton? He was not surprised, after
such an opinion being given by the
Judiciary Committee in the Senate,
that the consideration Of the Texas
question had been taken away from
that committee,
The Reconstruction Committee ex-
pressed surprise at the facility with
which the gentleman from Massachu-
sets changed his position. Paine,
another member of the Committee,
repudiated the construction put upon
prOvisO in either end of the capital.
He was willing, however, to have the
prOviso struck out, believing the law
would not be effected, whether in or
out.
Mr.. Brooks, of New York, re-
marked that there were three guaran-
tees given to Texas in the original
annexation bill.
Mr.. Butler asked whether these
three guarantees, except, of course, as
to slavery, would stand in rude COM
pact. Mr.. Butler gave his opinion
that striking cut the proviso would
not alter or affect in any way the ori-
ginal guarantees.
Mr.. Brooks said he was glad To hear
that, and suggested the propriety of
nOn-cOncurrring in the Senate amend
ment and having a committee of con-
ference appointed.
Mr.-Butler did not concur in that
suggestion, as the matter really was
of too little importance, as Texas was
waiting for admission to representa-
ton. The idea of reviving slavery
under this proviso he regarded as too
preposterous to find lodgment on this
side of the capitol. The provisO had
only been suggested by him as a mat
ter of extreme caution lest it might
be said the bill affected in any way
the rights of private citizens of Texas,
under these guarantees as to public
lands, the debt, etc.
Mr.. Winans inquired of Mr.. Butler
whether Texas, having, by the rebel
lion forfeited all privileges, could now
come in with the original conditions.
Mr.. Butler regarded that as judi
cial question and not legislative, as
this bill did not affect it one way or
the other. The Senate amendment
was eoncurred in by q party vote.
The House, at half past one, took up
the business of the morning hour, the
first question being on the passage OF
the bill granting the Marine Hospital
at Natehez to the State of Mississippi,
for educational purposes. The bill
passed by a vote Of 80 to 70.
Mr.. Hoar, from the Committee on
Education and Labar, reported a bill
to establish a system of national edu-
cation.
Mr.. Arnell called up the bill to al
low the school trustees of Arkansas to
enter forty acres Of land on condition
that a schoolhouse be erected thereon.
Laid over.
Also. a bill to abolish the Freed