Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-01-22

army OHlcerS lOr increase OF pay, ana lOr Jn'
sixteenth amendment, giving suffrage tC
women, and petitions for the abolition o
franking privileges, were presented and re
ferred.
Structures ON CresswelI.
The latter occasioned some discussion
in which Bayard and Thurman alluded tc
the action of the Postmaster General in
sending out circulars, instructing Post
masters to procure signatures to such pc
titions, as improper.
The latter said that there had been q
time when the Congress of the United
States would not have quietly tolerated
such conduct by the head of department,
or an attempt by any authority of the Gov
eminent to forestall public opinion and
prevent proper investigation.
Mr.. Sherman, from the Committee on FL
nance, reported, with a verbal amendment,
the House joint resolution to construe the
law relating to tax on salaries, declaring
| the meaning of the act to be that the tax
shall not be collected until the end of the
year 1870.
After some discussion, the resolution
went over for the present.
Bills were introduced and referred by
Mr.. Patterson, to abolish the Freedmen's
Bureau and to provide for a Bureau of
Education.
By Mr.. Pomeroy-To prohibit the sale
of public lands in Kansas, except by actual
settlement.
Amendment XVI.
Also proposing an amendment to the
Constitution of the United States, submit
ting to the States the following article, to
ha l-Dou-,, fha civtaaNth oYnapIpoapf
which, when ratified by three-fourths there
of, shall be part of the Constitution of
the United States:
The basis of suffrage in the United States
shall be that of citizenship, and all native
and naturaliZed citizens shall enjoy the
same rights and privileges of elective fran
chise Each State shall determine by law
the age of citizens and time of residence
required for the exercise of the right of suf-
frage, which shall apply equally to all citi-
zens, and shall make all laws in regard to
the time and place of holding elections.
Referred to Committee on Judiciary and
ordered printed.
The Virginia bill was then taken up.
Sumner Rebuked.
During his remarks, Mr.. Sumner was re-
minded Icy the chair, that in applying to
another Senator (meaning Mr.. TrumbulD
the language, che poured out his venom,
he had violated parliamentary decorum.
Mr.. Sumner disclaimed any improper
intention, and quoted from letters of
correspondents and speeches, which is pur-
porting to have been made by Gov. Walk
er, to show revolutionary intent and dis
loyal sympathies of the people of Virginia.
Brakes Amendment.
Upon the conclusion of Mr. Summers
remarks the chair stated the question to be
upon the pending amendment of Mr.. Drake
to admit Virginia upon the fundamental
condition of prohibiting any change or
amendment of the State Constitution
to deprive citizens of the right to
vote under the same, who are now entitled
to vote, except in punishment from crime,
but permitting any alteration in the Con-
stitution prospective in its effects in regard
to time and place of residence Of voters.
Adopted, 81 to %.
More Drake.
Mr.. Drake moved to further amend by
imposing further fundamental condition
that it should never be lawful for said State
to deprive any citizen of the United
States, on account of race, color, or
previous condition of servitude,
of the right to hold Office under the Con-
stitution and law of said State, or upon
any such ground, to require of him any
other qualification for office than such as
are required of all other citizens.
Adopted-yeas, 80; noes, 30.
Still another Amendment.
Mr.. Wilson moved an amendment to
impose the further fundamental condition,
and that the Constitution shall not be so
amended or changed as to deprive any citi-
zen of the United States of the school
rights and privileges secured by the Consti-
tuition Of said State. Adopted.
And n Substitute.
Mr.. Morton moved to substitute for the
preamble adopted by the House another
setting forth that the people of Virginia
had adopted a constitution which is
republican, and a Legislature elected
under it had ratified the fourteenth
and fifteenth amendments and the
performance of these acts in good faith,
was a condition precedent to representa-
ton.
The proposed substitute was agreed to
yeas 80, nays so.
AtLaAI.
The bill was then read the third time,
and the yeas and nays ordered on its pass
age. Before the vote was taken several
Democratic Senators explained why they
should vote against the bill, which was
passed-yeas AZ, nays pa strict party
vote.
On motion of Mr.. Sherman, the cur
rency bill was taken up and laid over
on order.
The Senate at $50 adjourned till
Monday.