Year: 1870

SENATE.


Mr.. Cameron, presenting memorial
for the general abolition of taxation on
productions, spoke in favor of the sub
stitution Of external instead of internal
taxes, and above all the abolition of the
income tax.


Mr.. Howard, from the committee on
the Pacific Railroad, reported a substi-
tute for the MARSHALL and San Diego
railroad BILL Itgrants twenty alternate
sections of land on each side of the line
in the territories and ten sections in any
State through which the road may pass.
Ordered printed and placed on the cal
endar. ;.s#


The Fifteenth Amendment bill came
up at the expiration of the morning
hour.


Mr. Ferry proposed a modification OF
his amendment which prevented any
further political disabilities than now
exist He then replied to Mr. Morton :
remarks Of yesterday, denying the right
Of the Senator to foist his own opinions
on the South and assume to make them
an embodiment of the views Of the
whole Union. He denied the existence
of any rebellious state of affairs in the
South and asserted that the Republican
party OF the North were in favor of the
removal of political disabilities.


Mr.. Morton replied at length to the
argument Of Mr.. Ferry, whose views he
said entitled him to seat on the Demo
cratic side of the chamber, and whose
argument should lead him next to move
a repeal Of all pensions to the Union
soldiers OF else to pension rebels. He
also defended the Georgia officials from
the charge of corruption, and argued
that when admitted to participation in
the Government, the rebels of the
South would turn upon aud defy those
whom they were now cajoling and flat
tering.


Mr.. johnson argued that the natural
effect of proscriptive legislation, in alien
ating the people Of State from the
General Government, was to foster
State pride and independence of ma
tiOnal authority.


Mr. Cameron expressed his convic-
ton, az the result of personal observa-
ton during his recentviSt to the South,
that the rebellious spirit Of the people
is still alive, as shown by that con
temptuous reference to Northern men,
When they appreciate their guilt, it
would be time enough to bestow elem
encv.


Mr. Revels, having been called upon,
proceeded to define his position and
that of the Republican party Of Missis-
sippi upon the question Of general am
nestv. He was in favor OF removing
disabilities in the South jast as fast as
the people gave evidence of loyalty.
Whenever a man gave this evidence, 10y
ceaSing to denounce and oppose the
laws of Congress and by respecting
them and Iaboring TO carry them out,
he was in favor Of removing his
disabilities. i'this could be trul Y said
of the whole State he would be
in favor of removing the disabilities Of
that State. In the State Of Mississippi
the Republican party had pledged itself
to universal amnesty, and the Legisla-
ture had redeemed that pledge by the
passage of resolution asking Congress
to remove disabilities. The condition
of things in Mississippi was exceptional.
The lawlessuess and violence prevailing
in other reconstructed States did not ex-
ist there but the people were harmo-
nious and prosperous He wasin favor
of amnesty in Mississippi.


Mr. Drake made an argument against
the general removal of disabilities


During the discussion it was proposed
to take up the House bill on that sub
ject, which had been received from that
body, but objection was made on the
ground that the pending hill had been
carefully matured by the Judiciary
committee while the House bill was de-
fective


At ) clock, after a short executive
session, the Senate adjourned.