Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-04-19
CONGRESSIONAL.
SENATE.

SENATE.
WASHINGTON, April 1S.-A resolution
requesting the President to detail an Off
Ger Of the engineers to assist Louisiana
in her survey for strengthening the Mis-
sissippi levees of that State was adopted.
That New York Legislator.
Mr.. Fenton in personal explanation
denied any connection with the detection
of Winsns (Republican) in the New York
Legislature.
Ku-kIux Debate.
Mr.. Edmunds submitted report from
the Conference Committee on the Ku-
Klux bill.
Mr.. Trumbull favored recommittal
of the bill to the Conference Committee,
SO that it be amended to obviate various
defects. In regard TO the amendment
laying damages upon property in the
vicinity where political outrsges are COM
mitted, however it may have been in
other countries, no such principle has
ever been laid down in the United States.
He knew of no authority in Congress to
80 into county or town and levy taxes
for such a purpose.
Edmunds remarked that the political
stomach of his friend Trumbull had be-
come very sensitive of late.
sherman said in England the commu-
nifty in which riots occurred had been
held responsible for tumultuous violence.
From this law he had taken the operative
words of his amendment. 1t was al
ready the law IN many States of the
Union. 1t was the right and duty of the
United States TO exert all power for the
protection of citizens used by any State
of the Union.
Stevenson argued the unconstitutional
ty of the amendment as levy direct of
taxes upon towns and counties.
Mr.. Casserly regarded the amendment
az extreme, UNJUST and liable to gross
abuse.
Mr.. Thurman argued that the jurors
test oath clause allowed Judge to ex-
clude nine-tenths of the intelligence of
the South, and held that the amendment
was neither justified by the laws of
England nor America, precedents from
both of which he quoted in support of his
arguments.
Deficiency Bill.
Mr.. Cole submitted a report from the
conference committee on the deficiency
appropriation bill.
Mr.. Trumbul objected to that portion
authorizing the Southern ClsirNs CCmmis-
sion to employ al attorney to defend the
United States in the claims before that
body.
The Senate took recess till this evening.
Report of the Ku.KIuN Conference
Committee.
At the evening session the debate on
the conference report on the ku ,hluG
bill continued. The report recommends, in
regard to the jurors oath provision, re-
pealing that part of the present law
which makes the giving of encourage
ment OF aid to the rebellion, either di'
Tccty or indirectly, ground for chsl-
lcnge or disqualification of juror, leav-
? ing it discretionary with the District At,
tOrney to move, and with the court, to
impose the oath. The suspension of the
writ of hSbeas corpus is continued until
the end of the next regular session OF
Congress- as fixed by the Senate. The
provision assessing damages upon locaG
ties where outrages are committed, wa:
amended, among other particulars, so al
to require suit 10 be brought against the
individual perpetrators of the outrsges
and where Judgment remains unsatisfeC
for two months, the loss or damage may
be assessed upon the county or parish.
MIR. Morton SAID Congress had smpl
mower to pass the bill, and the condltio
of the South made its passage imper =
lively necessary.
Mr.. Frel =huyscn asserted his oppos