The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-06
FoRTY-FOURTH CONGRESS
WAsHIsGroN, December D.
SENATE.

IU,UUV copies ue pIintoo Aoi uiot4OA
Mr. Thurman said he had seen many
inaccurate statements ont his subject pre-
pared by others. He had great conf
dence in the ability Of the chief clerk,
but he would like 10 examine the COM
pilstlon for himself before authorizing Its
distribution among the people.
Mr.. Morton submitted joint rcsoiu
ton proposing an amendment TO the
Constitution of the United States pro-
viding that the election OF the President
and Vice President be by the direc!
vote of the people, which was read and
laid on the table until the appointment
of the committees, and then be referred
TO the Committee on Privileges and
Elections. In submitting the resolution
Mr.. Morton said it was the identical
proposition reported BY the Committe on
Privileges and Elections two years ago.
Mr.. Wright presented petition ask
ing that Iowa be divided into two ludic-
isl districts, northern and southern.
Ordered referred to the Committee on
Judiciary when appointed.
Mr.. Edmunds moved to take up the
resolution submitted yesterday, ordering
an inquiry into the late election in the
various Southern States. The motion
led TO long debate.
1t was finally agreed to print I,5OO
copies, and that the motion to print o,ooo
copies be referred TO the Committee on
Printing, when appointed.
Mr.. Spencer introduced a bill to estsb-
lish the Territory OF the Black Hills and
TO provide temporary government
therefor. Laid on the table Until the
committees be oppointed.
Mr.. Edmunds moved to take up the
resolution submitted by him yesterday
ordering an inquiry into the late eIec
tions IN the various Southern Safes.
After long debate the motion was
agreed to. Yeas, 80; nays, 22i strict
party vote.
Mr.. Edmunds then modified his reso-
luton so as to authorize the committee
TO extend its inquiry TO the election OF
1874 in the States named.
On motion of Mr.. Conkling the resoiu-
ton was laid over for the present, and
the Presidents message WAS read, and II
WAS ordered that it be printed with the
accompanying documents and the usual
motion TO print extra copies entered 10
be hereafter referred 10 the Committee
on Printing.
Mr.. Withers submitted resolution
requesting the President to inform the
Sesats, if not incompatible with the pub
lie interest, under what authority and
for what purpose troops OF the United
States occupied the city Of Petersburg,
Va, on the 7th day Of November, 1876,
the day of election.
Objection was then made By Mr.
Edmund. and the resolution was laid
over.
MY. Thurman suggested that th" reso-
luton of the Senator from Vermont IN
regard 10 inquiry into the various
Southern States be- laid over till to-mor-
row and be printed with the changes
made.
Mr.. Edmunds said he could not con-
sen. to 1t going over. He felt it his
duty TO ask the Senate to act on 1t to-day
Mr., Thurman said the Senator from
Vermont had argued the adoption OF his
resolution would no. commit the Senate
to any particular doctrines or dogmas
He Thurman denied this and argued
that It did commit the Senate. he
cont .nded that there had been no VIOLA
tior f the Constitution Of the United
STATE. in any of the States named IN
the ,olution. The States gave suffrage
to ev-r body, and nothing in the constI'
int, =. { either of them, or Of their stat
utes. ooliged suffrage. Under the recent
amendments to the Constitution, those
States could have prescribed property or
educational qualifications to exclude the
coIored men from the ballot box, but
dId not do so. 1t was said that this in.
ouiry could not be set on foot tina, II
WAS based alone on newspaper articles.
MIR. Edmunds said the laws and stat
utes of several OF these States did ope-
rate TO deny suffrage.
Mr.. Thurman denied that there was
anv such law in either Of the States, and
the Senator Edmunds could not pro
duce sny such statute. The laws OF
those States acted alike on both white
and colored voters Who had posses
sion of South Carolina and Louisiana
since the war? The Republican party
Who had possession of Alabama until
within the last two years? The Repub
| lican party. Yet il was claimed that the
right of the colored voter had been
abridged. The intent Of this res
oIution was simply 70 60 into
| -. ..-,;,, &c ;rtin, III s,iSn and fu-n,s n
a satisfactory reason for these
Returning Boards throwing out the votes
and electing other men than those chose!
| by the people. Three States were involved
IN this resolution. Why did not the
! Senator from Vermont extend II every
where? Had he never heard Of the en-
ploves in great manufactures being
marched up to the polls and made tc
vote rs their employers, who stood a
their elbow, dictated?
Mr.. Edmunds-I never heard OF bu
one instance of this kind, and that We
the casc Of Democratic Manufacture
in Connecticut, who made his emplOye
vote the Democratic ticket.
Mr.. Thurman Then the Senstor i
I the most lgDOldDL Iiau WIZ 1--WE Az ~
England. Laughter.
Resuming his argument M. Thurman
said the Committee on Privileges snt
Elections was composed of nine member
asd it was impossible for that committee
sitting in Washington, TO make the 10
ves.igatiou and report by February. tn
committee could take deposltons, bI
who was TO be served with the notice 4
cruss-exsmipe. AS 10 the last resolu
tion, IN regard 70 the eligibility Of elec
tors he Thurman was no! sur
but that be could supper! II, b1
he desired more time to study il. If "a
Returning Boards in the South had goOc
cause TO throw out the votes and over
ride tie will Of the people, be :wante,
i shown, snd II il could not DE- shown D
wanted their villisny to be exposed q
wanted The facts TO be known.
M. Edmupds. in reply 10 the question
OF Thurman. said he would not inform
,ae Senator from OHIO a % which Stat
hsd abridged the rightot suffrage b.
Inc statute, inSmuCh ss Ee lEdnurds