Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-01-27


WASHINGTON, Jan. Z6.-HOuse bill to pay
the February interest of 365 bonds of the
District of Columbia was reported By Mr..
Garfield for passage, but on objection it vas
sent to the Committee Of the Whole, where
it can only be reached in the regular order
or by a suspension of the rules on Monday.
Mr.. Harrison. from the Committee on
Elections, presented a report on the pro-
posed amendment to the Constitution as
to the election Of President and Vice Pres
ident, in favor of the plurality system, and
a minority report was presented by Mr..
Smith, Of New York, recommending the
abolition ofithe Electoral College and di-
rect election by the people. Ordered
printed.
Mr.. Eldridge, from the Judiciary CON-
mittee, reported adversely on the bill to
create a new State out Of certain portions
Of Louisiana and Texas. Laid on the
table.
Mr. Tremaiue, from the Judiciary Com
mittee, reported bill to provide for the re-
demptiOn of the overdue bonds Of the
United States, known as the Texas In
demnity bonds. These are $4,000 in
bonds belonging to the State of Texas,
which were taken from there during the
war and sold in Europe to Peabody & Co.,
for which the State had received no con-
sideration. The party holding them re-
fuses to present them, and the object Of the
bill is to pay the amount to the State of
Texas, which is TO guarantee the United
States against loss. The bill was sent to
the committee Of the whole.
Mr.. White, from the Judiciary Commit
tee, reported q bill for a United States
Judge for the District of West Tennessee.
Sent to the committee Of the whole.
Mr.. Cessna-From the judiciary Com
mittee. reported adversely on the bill for
the relief Of the Southern States, by a COM
promise and settlement of their debts. Laid
on the table.
Mr.. Potter-From the Judiciary Com
mittee, reported joint resolution propOs-
ing the following amendment to the Con
stitutiOn:
Article I6-FrOm and after the next elec-
tion for President Of the United States, the
President shall hold his office during the
term of six years, and together with the
Vice Presidents chosen for the same term,
shall be elected in the manner as now pro-
vided, or that may hereafter be provided;
but neither the President nor Vice Presi-
dent when the office Of President has de-
volved upon him, shall be eligible for IT,
election as President.
He remarked that any amendment
would not affect the next Presidential
tern, and moved the previous question.
The previous question was seconded and
the main question ordered.
Mr.. f. r. HOar expressed surprise that
such proposition should be passed with
out discussion.
Mr.. Potter replied that if any question
had been discussed, and discussed until
everybody within the House and outside
was familiar with it, it was this question.
Mr.. Garfield inquired how it would be
with the Vice President succeeding to the
Presidential Office within a week Of the
closing Of the term.
Mr.. Potter replied that he would have to
take the office with the restrictions.
Mr. z. r. HOar remarked, that while he
was not of the opinion that there was like
lyco be any occasion when he should favor,
or believed the American people would
favor, the continuance of any person in the
Presidential office beyond two terms, he did
not believe an argument as to the cOrrup-
tion Of the people by the executive power
was one on the strength of which the peO-
pie should confess that they needed such
protection against such influence, as that
they would not deprive themselves Of the
power Of selecting their Chief Magistrate.
he remembered a conversation which he
had with an eminent gentleman standing
high in Office, in reference 10 the re-elec-
tion of Mr.. Lincoln, and who was very
much opposed to his reelection, and he
(Hoar) hadthen said he belle ed the Ameri-
can people intended to Te-elect Lincoln, if
necessary, during the rest of his life, until
he was recognized by every part of the
country as President of the United States.
BE (HoaT) did not propose to aid in depriv-
ing tie American people, under any emeT-
gency or exigency, Of determining
whom they should keep in the Presi-