Evening star., 1870-01-12
OuoDusEoHA


Csoclasisa Yestsraay's Proceedinxs.
for the adninion Of Virginia being under con-
~ n. Wiiiians declared his opinion tha. NO
Ss bad ss 20 bss an
power Of Congress to impose conditions on a
State after admission, and could not conceive
from what source Congress derived the power to
the Senate without it's consent. He was advised
that there was no probability Of the Legislature
of Virginia ever attempting to withdraw its as
sent to the fifteenth amendment, but he had a
proposition which he should offer as substitute,
as follows: .H
Resolved. &c., That the State of Virginia hav-
ing complied with all the conditions Of the re-
teenth and fifteenth amendments to the Com
stitutiOn, be entitled to admission in the Union
Mr.. Conkling expressed his opposition to the
amendment for two reasons-First, for that
stated by the Senator from Illinois, (Mr. Trum-
bull, y that it acknowledged the right OF State
to withdraw its assent to constitutional amend
ment; and, second, because, as he conceived,
Congress had no power over the State after it is
once admitted.
Mr.. Davis stated that there was no doubt that
one day all these matters would be brought
before the proper tribunals, when he had no
doubt that 1t would be decided that an assent
which was coerced from q State was not
binding.
Mr.. Drake argued in favor of his amendment,
undertake to withdraw its assent to the fifteenth
amendment, it shall be Immediately deprived of
representation in Congress and remanded to its
cosdinon cor anterior to the passage Of this hill,)
and expressed his surprise that Republican Sem
ators should oppose it. He charged that it was
inconsistent for those Senators who had steadily
voted for the reconstruction acts to refuse to
support this amendment He predicted, andhe
desired Senators to note it, that If her Senators
and Representatives were admitted here uncon
ditionally. within ten days Virginia would repeal
Its ratification Of the fifteenth amendment.
MIR. Howe was in favor Of the amendment. 1t
was q novel proceeding, but they had done
many novel proceedings since 1861, and he had
no doubt OF the power Of Congress to do it.
haste in staying the power of Congress over
these reconstructed States, and it was not at all
improbable that we would have to deal again
with some of those that have been admitted; we
may have to do it for our very lives, and that
ere long. Look at Tennessee. Its constitutional
convention met yesterday and refused even to
take , an oath to support the Constitution Of the
United States. We all know the majority of
that Virginia Legislature would be very glad to
repeal the adoption of that amendment and we
must not give them a chance to do it. He held
should never cease; that it should always have
the right to counteract any improper movements
that may be attempted, and he besought Sena-
tors not to surrender this power.
Mr.. Sumner was glad to hear this opinion of
the distinguished Senator, (Mr. MortOn,1 as it
was in accord with what he (Mr. 81 had ALWAYS
eontended: 1t was sound, legislative, constitu-
tional doctrine. The power of Congress over
these States extended forever; at any time in
the future, Congress can interfere to protect
reconstruction.
another political party has the majority in Com
gress. Under this doctrine can they not repeal
everything that we have done?
MIR. SUMNER contend that the power of
Congress Is perpetual to protect reconstruction.
MI. Williams had msgivings as to the power
OF Congress to impose fundamental conditions
on state claiming admission; but he denied
absolutely the power of Congress to deprive any
state Of her equal representation i'm the Senate
without her consent. This amendment was in
violation of the Constitution, and he was sur
prised at the Senators advocating it.
The Vice President laid before the Senate the
message OF the President returning, with his
objections, the bill for the relief OF Roland
White; which was laid on the table, and ordered
to be printed. The bill vetoed relates to an
extension OF pistol patent.J
without reaching vote on Mr.. brakes
amendment, the Senate went into executive ses-
sion, and shortly thereafter adjourned.
HOUSE.-After our report closed
MIR. Garfield (OhiO) Cffered a resolution which
was agreed to, directing that in future when
witnesses are summoned before any committee
OF this House they shall be summoned by letter
or telegraph, and no other amount shall be al
penses actually incurred.
MIR. Stone (Md.). from the Committee on the
District of Columbia, reported an act to extend
the charter OF the Washington, Alexandria and
Georgetown Steam Packet Company for fur
ther period OF twenty years from January 1,
1869. Passed. >
Mr.. Scofield (Pa.), from the Committee on
Naval Affairs, reported a bill to transfer the
navy yard at Philadelphia to League Island
and demanded the previous question.
PENDING discussion the morning hour expired
and the bill went over under the rule.
Mr.. Schenck (OhlO) offered a resolution chang
ing the rooms of certain of the House commit
tees. 1t was proposed to give the Ways and
Means Committee the room now occupied by the
post office; transfer the post Office to the room
of the Committee Post Offices and Post
Roads; the Post Office Committee to the room
or the Committee on Appropriations and the
latter TO the room to be vacated by the Ways
and Means Committee.
Mr.. Schenck urged, as a necessity for this, the
amount OF important business pending before
the Ways and Means Committee, and the neces-
sity fer larger room to accommodate the vari-
Gus delegates and committees that were contin-
ually appearing before that committee.
The resolution was adopted.
On motion OF Mr.. Dawes, Mass. y the House
resolved itself into Committee of the Whole on
the state of the Union, (Mr. Kelsey, of New
York, in the chair.)
MIR. Kelley (Pa.) obtained the floor and pro-
ceeded to address the House on the internal in
dustry of the United States, reviewing at length
and attacking the late report of Mr.. Wells.
Commissioner of Revenue. Mr.. Kelley read
his speech, very slim House being his auditors
for short time, and the reailing was not con-
clnded until half-past 4 O'Clock, when the Com
mittee rose, and the House adjourned