The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-01-22
FORTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-.
SECOND SESSION.
SENATE.
Am Important Sessi0n-The Patent Laws
and Other Measures Discussed.
WAsHINGroN, Jan. 20.


Mr.. Coclrill introduced a bill to provide for
a uniform national currency, to retire the
notes of the national banks and prohibit their
Incorporation and their issue OF notes, to util-
ize silver and silver coin. TO provide for the re-
issue of coin and bullion certificates, to provide
for the redemption or payment OK bonds OF
the United States, and the issue of bonds bear
ing lower rate of interest, and to provide for
the expansion and contraction of paper cur
rency to meet the business interests and wants
of the country. Laid on the table at the re-
quest OF Dir. Cockrill, who desires to submit
remarks in favor of the measure.
The vice president laid before the senate
communication from the secretary of war
transmitting the report OF Major Godfrey
Weitzel, of the engineer corps, in regard 10 the
uperintepdence, management and repair of
the Louisville and Portland Canal, during the
year ending June 50, lS7S-referred.
Also a communication from the secretary of
war enclosing letters OF General Sherman,
Sheridan and Terry, recommending the ap-
preparation of Sl25 ,Oo0 for the erection of mill
tary headquarters at Fort Smelling. The sec-
retary concurs in the recommendations. Re-
ferred.
MIR. Withers, from the Committee on PEN
sions, reported favorably on the House bill
granting a pension TO the widow of General
Robert Anderson.
Mr. Morgan submitted the substitute agreed
upon in the Democratic caucus for Mr.. Ed
| munds' resolution concerning suffrage and
later constitutional amendments. Laid OH the
table.
The following are the resolutions:
Resolved, AS the Judgment Of the Senate
1 that the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth
| amendments to the constitution of the United
States are as valid and binding as any other
part OF the constitution; that the people of the
United States have !: common Interest in the
/ enforcement of the whole constitution in
| every state and tie territories OF the United
| States. and that 1t has alike the right
and duty of the United states so far
| as power has been delegated to them
| to enforce the amendments and to pro-
| tect every citizen in the exercise of all rights
| thereby secured.
Resolved, That the government of the United
States and the gov ernment OF the states, are
distinct, and each has citizens of its own who
owe 1t allegiance, and whose rights within Its
Jurisdiction it must protect; that the govern.
ment of the United States is one of delegated
powers alone; its authority is defined and
limited by the constitution, all powers not
granted to 1t by that instrument, nor pro-
hibited by it to the Stares, are reserved to the
States respectively or to the people, and thai
no right can be acquired under the constitu
1
| United States except such as the government
Of the United States has authority to grant Oh
| secure.
| Resolved, That the constitution of the
| United States has not conferred the right o
| suffrage upon any one, and the United State.
| have no voters of their own creation in the
States; but the fifteenth amendment to TIL,
constitution has invested the citizens of III,
| United States with a new constitutional right
which is exemption from discrimination IL
the exercise of the elective franchise on &C
count of race, color or previous condition o
seryitude; and 1t is within the jurisdiction O
. the Government of the United States, which
. Congress may exert by appropriate legislation
to prevent a denial or abridgement by a Stat
of the right of citizen to vote, when such de
NAL or abridgement is on account of race
color or previous condition of servitude of tn
voter.
Resolved. That when such right to vote /
denied or abridged by the conduct Of a persol
who is not SO acting by authority and in ODE
dience TO the laws of State, the Jurisdiction
: to punish such conduct is in the State govern
: | ment and Is not in the government Of tn
t United States.
s VIM. Bruce, from the committee on Pen