Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-01
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Daily Kennebec Journal.
WASHINGTON, 81.

WASHINGTON, 81.
SENATE.
In the Senate to-day Mr.. Chandler spoke
on civil service reform. He said that it had
been going on very effectively for the last II
years by reforming traitors out Of office and
replacing them with good loyal men, and ex.
pressed the opinion that we had never had SC
honest and efficient civil service q, under the
present administration. Still there were un.
doubleday other reforms required, and they
will be made as soon as pointed out. He
then drew parallel between republican and
democratic parties, greatly to the disadvan.
tage Of the latter, and warned Liberal" re.
publicans of the character Of the party into
whose arms they were rushing. There were
already republican "sOreheads" going over
to the democratic party, but for any such ont
there were ten democrats joining the repub-
lican party, and if the democrats chose to
keep up the exchange on these terms, he had
no objection.
Mr.. Sumner replied to Mr.. Morrll's COT
Maine) argument made last week against the
constitutionality of the supplementary civil
rights bill. The power to pass the bill he
said, was given i'll the grant of power to
abolish slavery, the legislation being neces-
essary to make abolition complete. The Sena-
tor (Morrill had found constitutional difi-
culties in the way, because he adhered to the
old will of interpreting the constitution, dis
regardless to the new rule which conquered
at Appomattox-the rule that every clause,
word and sentence must be interpreted uni
formily for human rights. He had letters
from colored men testifying to the necessity
for such legislation by Congress to protect
them in their rights, and if his bill should be
rejected and the amnesty bill passed, there
was danger that the colored vote would be so
divided as to defeat the republican party in
Pennsylvania. There were more than enough
colored voters to turn the scale in the State
election, and in the whole country they were
numerous enough to do the same in Presi-
dental election. The colored voters were a
new power in the land and must be consid-
cred.
Mr.. Morrill, Of Me-, replied. He denied
that the close of the war brought any new
rule of interpreting the constitution, and
charged Mr.. Sumner with having advocated
this bill by using colored voters as a concise
power, instead of by reasons addressed to the
Senate.
At the close of Mr.. Morrill'e remarks Mr..
Wilson moved to adjourn.
Mr.. Hamilton Of Md, demanded the yeas and
nays, and by 81 to % the Senate adjourned.
Bills introduced: For the cession by Texas
of certain territory to the United States for
Indian reservations, and for the repeal of the
law providing for the formation of four new
States out of Texas. To establish national
register of shipping and to afford protection
to passengers and seamen, and to prevent
excessive rebates in duties on merchandise
damaged on ship board imported into the
United States.
Bills reported: The House bill authoriz.
ing the employment Of surfinen at the saving
station on the New Jersey coast with an
amendment. Authorizing the President to
accept the resignation and retire on full pay
judges of any United States court when per-
manently disabled from efficiency in their
duty. The House bill extending the time for
fling claims for additional bounty under the
act of July 28th, 1866.