Indiana American, Volume 8, Number 16, Brookville, Franklin County, 16 April 1869 — Page 2

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$ninan;i American.

C. H. BINGHAM, Editor. -BHOOKVILLt;Fridaj Morclrf, April 16, 1869. The Legislature Organized at Last. On Thursday the Legislature should hire met and oreaniied for the Extra Session, culled bj the Governor to provide .for the pressing necessities of the State. ;

Put it did not meet, nor orgsnne. 1 he , er,i;T known that he contemplated the Republicans were present and ready, and I preparation of such document. enough Democrats joined them to keep J watch, but not enou2h to allow work to be j Alabama Treaty Rejected, done or attempted; The Democrats claim, j The .U. S. Senate has rejected the Johnin ju.titi.Mtb.. ofthoircnrse, that a in- son Clarendon treaty for the -settlement jority ..fth p--.p' !' the State are op-H Alabama claims. The vote stood posed to the V irceiuli Article, and that ; fifty-three for rejection to one against.

they, and not the Republicans, represent the public sentiment upon this question They have demauded that no action shou'd

l,e taken upon it unu, ne que, oo signed Saturday, extends the time for takrib.itted to the voters of the State and . Qf with this view have taken the revolution- j J snd adds a tax of one cent arv course of resijiumc 1,1 order to orean " , , . , , r irjiuui.cu.it n b I per month on each gallon left in bond afquorum, and now, upon being re elected,,

.. - . 1 r.fn to iimlifv or take their seats until . .. . . they receive a pledge from the majority not ti act upon tt until it is thus submitted to. the people; or, at least, without giving them sufficient notice to enable them to resign again and get out of the way. Chronicle," of the Gazette, further states the situation thus: A l.,r. n-mUnftl,. ll.ouhlicn mem -! ler certainly more than a majority have been in favor of proceeding with the legislation actually esentul, including I i...rPrUFn. .w. ""."'"Vn V thV -l,.n ... the Hpninorsta wmit.t ain resign. They knew that the acpropriation bills would not be sufficient in j tnemseives to noiu ino r,eniocr. ' " ; amendment, and that nothing could be gained by pressing it at the beginning. When it should be brought up, and resig nations followed, they might have gone on and ratified the amendment. leaving it to ; the proper tribunal to judge of Us sumciency, but upon tins point they were not have feared, and uon this rresumntion ! they have acted, being determined to keep j the question open, at all hazirds, until the next election. tnnhlif1 P Into lt, nncttatail trt atl ! , , ,, , individuals, what cour? they l,otJ , ,..! lVi.lv ..n,n n intima. as pursue j.ui -uv , ...... . ..-j, .-, - , tion that it would lie acceptable, cevenieen Ilenuhlicnns of the two Houses signed a j aper, S ltUllviJu!-, Fromi..in that tllCJ would not lake any action upon the amendment until Fir on t.i' mil. lie notii-. Although thev felt themselves somewhat huniilixrd in doing so, they preferred t taking tins course, as indiyidiials, with a view i'j securing an ora mzt'ion inreoy. .. , . . . . ,. . 3 u caucus Vriday afternoon, Friday night, and again Saturday u.orniitjr. and had an exciting time. If let't to themselves, the ;uembc3 vouM have voted to come in; and, indeed, r. number of them have been o diposed without any pledges, while their course should be shaped according la the eu ergency when it arose. The half

dozen leading disorganizes, however, have ous;e9 between the two countries, and afhecn aided by Messrs. Hendricks, Me- fordini! lhe ba9i, of pctmanent Bnd cor Donald and other, who have succeeded,! ...

thus far. in keeping the in out. The con test, on Saturday morning, was very close, standing 23 for coming in, and 15 for staying out. The paper was then with drawn by the Republicans signing if, and the whole matter is left as at first. In the meantime the Republicans have refused to give any other pledce than that ;s individuals, di-cUiming any intention f committing anj one else, or of acting in a Representative or party capacity. 1 he Democrats tot k advantage of their last day of grace, and allowed the Legislaturc to t.iiranize Monday afternoon. After the withdrawal of the proposition sign - cd by the seventeen Republicans, they rc fused to give the Democrats any written assurances, but contiuued to hold, individually, to the verbal statements they had made from the first, of an intention to go on with the regular business first. With these pledges, verbal or written, the bolt ing members of the House preenred ihernelves when their counties were called, and at 2 o'clock piei-ented their cicdeutials and were snom iu. A re-olution continuing the old officers and employes was adopted, v. hen Speaker Stanton, sfter thanking ti e Hoii-e for the uniform courtesy ex'ended to him, icsined his office, and George A. Buskirk, of Menre, was elect d; the Democrats supporting Williams, of Knox. m Col. Pierce, of Porter, Republican offered a resolution postponing action upon the 15th Amendment, until Tuesday. May Uth, a week before the close of the' session. This was passed with a half d z j en dissenting votes, and a motiou to re j consider was laid on the tab'e. j This bein- di-posed of. the bolters in j the Senate appealed, and were sworn, the old officers being continued. j Both Houses then .adjourned until ' Tuesday. i The Seuatc met at f oU k Tuesday morning, and alter the transaction of some unimportant business, Mr. Craveus offered the follotiini;: ! ' Rtedccd l'Stke Senate, the House o Pcprcftntdtivcs concurring, That the considcration of the joint resolution accept-; ing and ratifying on the part of Indiana the proposed loth Amendment to the Con ttitotion of the United States, be postponed and made the special order for action at 2 o'clock P. M., on Tuesday, the lllh day of May next eusuing, in joint assembly of the two Houses, to be held in the House of Representatives on said day sod at said hour. ' The previous question was demanded, but not seconded, and a heated discussion followed, the Democratic Senators alleging bJ i-ivh. and threatening to resign. The debate was kept up till four o'clock, when

the resolution was ttitudrawn, and the two Houses, in joint session, listened to the message of the Governor.

In the House the business was unim- ! portant. A bill was introduced to repeal iuo law lor me reiocauuu vi iuuuij " Ex. Speaker Stanton was appointed Chairman of the Committee of Ways end Means. w The President' Message, Recommending legislation in reference to Virginia and Mississippi, took Congress considerably by surprise. It was not genRevenue Law. The act amending the Internal Revenue 1 . rr wV.:n)i rae naAl Fri.lav triorht and i - ' rpr lllf '111(1 111 111131 III II II I U . M. lie Div aisu contains sections of importance to tobacco dealers. Startling Revelation. The startling revelation of irregularties which, perhaps, cover extensive frauds in the Treasury Department, made in the report of the Congressional Committee on Uetrench men t and Reform, an abstract of which we publish on the first page, will astonish the country. It is a record of m;smanagement .incompetence and faith les.ness in the conduct - of high public trusts, which is a Rhame to the nation and an ineradicable disgrace to every person responsible, from the late Secretary of the Treasury down, Annexation of Canada. The project of Canadian annexation in the settlement of the Alabama claims with the joint consent of England and the fjoi0nist9 bes,in9 to .ttract attention in governmental and diplomatic circles, and s by Forae regarded as likely to become a prominent feature of General Grant 3 ad ministration Th virvi ovnreaapit nn . . . ... this subject by part of the American press, 3 and r'le response of English r-,- m r, A it J iiuw.-j.-t.o, ... ior n.ttion amone the colonies, especially in Nova Scotia, have encouraged a belief in the feasibility of the scheme, if managed wn diplomatic tact and careful regard to English hoaor. Objections to the possi bility of its accomplish ment, and doubts ..- ir. r i as to the policy and safety of such an en largement of the Republic, are strongly urged by individuals, but it is confidently asserted by others that public opinion is gradually settling in favor of our acceptance of the Canadas, should they be tend ered by Great Britain as the surest mode of harmonizing interests and ending jeal dial peace. Nominations. The following nominations have been made by the President: J. Lothrop Motley, Minister to England. Leopold Markbreit, of Ohio, Minister resident to Bolivia. James R. Partridge, of Maryland, Min- , ister to Venpzuela. William A. Pile, of Missouri, Minister to Brazil. " j J. Russei Jones, of Ohio, Minister to - Belgium. John S. Carlisle, of West Virginia, Minister to Stockholm. J. R. Lriaj", of Louisiana, Minister res ident and Consul General to Liberia. K. C. Kirk, of Ohio, Minister resident to Argentine Republic. S. O. Hurlhurt, Minister to Bogota. Silas A. Hudson, (colored.) of Georgia, Minister resident to Guatemala. E. D. Bassett, (colored ) of Pennsylvania, Minister resident and Consul Gen- : crl to Hayti. ! Andrew G. Curtin, of Pennsylvania, Minister to Russia. ! John G.Jay, of New York, Minister to Austria. Win. A. Howard, of Michigan, Minister to China. Thomas H. Nelson, of Indiana, Minister to Mexico. -has. iN . Kiette, ot lexas, .Minister to CoFta Rica. Henry T. Sanford, of Connecticut, Minister to Spain. Horace Ruble, of Wisconsin, Minister witcrlarni. Freeman H. Morse, of Maine, Consul General at London. Thomas B. Van Buren, of New Jersey, Consul General at Florence, George W. Wuntz, of Pennsylvania, Secretary of Legation at Florence, Meredith Read, Jr., of New York, Consul General at Paris. Wm. P. ebster, or Massachusetts, Consul General at Frankfort.on-the-Main. Congress has adjourned until December next. The Census, Eight-hour and Disability Bills were the only measures which failed to pass. The New York Tribune now claims Connecticut as a Republican State, and rays it has been effectually redeemed from Democracy, and that it will not return to the enemy. Andrew Johnson Nashville, Saturday. made a fpeech at

The New Reconstruction Bill. The Senate, in passing the new Recon

struction Bill with only three hours' talk, showed a degree of good sense as gratify ing as it was unexpected. The bill was taken up in the Senate as soon as the session began, and was passed at a quarter past three by a vote of 43 to 9. The ony Senatorial amendment made was that offered by Mr. Morton, requiring ratification of the pending 15th amendment of the .Federal Constitution. Morton's am endment prevailed by 30 to 20; Republicans in opposition being Anthony, Boreman, , Conkling, Edmunds, Fessenden, Ferry, Patterson, Thayer, Sprague, Trum bull and Willey, though these all voted for the bill on its passage. The three hours were mostly occupied by Democrats in repeating old speeches and State rights arguments, in which nobody on the floor or in the naileries had the least interest. The billcame up in the Houseat half past nine of the evening session, and the Dem ocrats, who don ( at all like the Morton section, immediately began fillibustering under the lead of Woodward and Eldrid;e. They succeeded in delaying action long enough to get two calls ot the yeas ana nays, and then Mj. Butler took a short turn on them by moving to suspend all rules and come to a direct vote. This was carried, and the Senate amendments were then agreed to, and the bill finally passed by yeas 107, nays 27 all the Democrats voting iu the negative. It is worth noting, in this connection, that the action of Congress on this mea sure gives the best possible proof of the harmony between that body and the Pres ident. Here were the two Houses wrangling all winter about the reconstruc tion questiou, and utterly uuable to agree upon anything. The President sends in his brief message suggesting a way for cutting the Gordian knot, and in two days Congress disposes of the whole matter by putting it in his hands and giving him power to order an election in each of the unreconstructed States at his pleasure. This settles the subject, and except as it may possibly arise in regard to Georgia, the country is not likely to hear much more of the reconstruction question. It may be added that the President will probably order an election in Virginia in about six weeks, with a provision for a separate vote on three clauses of the new Constitution. The Fourth District Assessorship. The Aurora AJrocate understands that Judge Lamb, of Moore's Hill, is an applicant for the oflico of Fourth District Assessor, in place ot the present incumbent. The Advocate says: The Judce is a man eminentlv qualified a a tor the position, is a "centleman of . . . - the first water,' and inasmuch as the position is to be filled by a Republican, we cordially endorse the Judge. It would certainly be a great relief to people having business with that office, to see the affable Judge Lamb installed therein, in place of the present incumbent. We understand there will be no change made in the Collectorship; our friend Stevenson will hold over, and to this the people will say ameu.

e have no desire to oppose the claims; man the Judge has but few equals, and of Judge Lamb in this matter. He is one j as an affable gentleman he has no supeof our best Republicans, and would no! riori al,d if serv'ces to the party are to be

... ... doubt make an excellent officer. We do desire, however, to present the claims of our highly esteemed and eminently wor thy fellow citizen, Major Jno. C. Burton. He is thoroughly competent to discbarge the duties of the office, being one of our best business men. He is, and has been, an ardent and consistent Republican, always doing his full share of work for the party, contributing liberally both time and money for its success. He lost his right arm in the Mexican War at the Battle of Buena Vista, which did not prevent him from again entering the service of his country at the breaking out of the rebellion: lie euucd a company for that purpose, of which he was chesen Captain, and for faithful service was promoted Major. He faced the rebels in more than one encounter, and continued in the service until he was discharged. Major Burton is highly esteemed, an affable gentleman, and his appointment would be hailed with pleasure by the people. We are decidedly in favor of him as the successor of Mr. Swift, as it seems to have been decided that a change is to be made. Reconstruction. Mr. Morton's amendment to the bill to reconstruct Virginia, Mississippi and Texas, requiring those States to ratify the Fifteenth Constitutional Amendment before they aie admitted to representation in Congress, was passed by the Senate, by 30 to 23. The effect of Mr. Morton's proposition, will be, that those States being anxious for admission, will ratify the Fifteenth Amendment at once, and thus tbe concurrence of the required three -fourths of the whole number of States will have been obtained to the amendment, and it will thus become a part of the Constitution without the ratification of the Legislatures of the States of Ohio and Indiana. We are gratified to notice that Speaker Blaine has retained Mr. Julian in the Chairmanship of the Committee on Public Lands, and that he has also appointed him a member of the Committee on Re construction a very important Committee and one requiring the best talent of the House. These appointments show conclusively that tbe House has not concluded to send Mr. Julian home and give "little Johnny Reid" a seat to which a round majority of the voters of this District say he is not entitled. Liberty Herald.

Democratic Literature. The Editor of the Franklin Democrat is preeminently a literary individual. Whenever he alludes to the Editor of the Indiana Aftitrican, he useB such polite and gentlemanly language as "thickskinned neighbor,' "doodle chafer," "socalled editor of the little Indiana American," "chief engineer of the bean shooter." He also characterizes Senator Morton as a "festering mass of moral, social and political rottenness," "the rotten and worm-eaten tyrant who misrepresents Indiana in the United States Senate." He

also uses choice language in reference to President Grant's Cabinet. This style of literature is eminently characteristic of the Editor of the Frank lin Democrat, and is no doubt quite edifying to the readers of that delectable sheet. It is also calculated to produce "a sensation" in his fvor by attracting the gaze of the few Democratic admirers of that kind of newspaper composition. Besides, it is expected of the Editor of the Franklin Democrat to perseveringly give striking examples of Democratic literature, as he is the great School Examiner of Democratic Franklin County, and is self considered the sole embodiment of Democratic principles ; in other words, he himself it the Democratic party! Fourth District Assessor. Editor American, In one of the late issues of the Aurora Advocate I find the following highly sensible communication, which will be read by our citizens with interest, if not enthusiasm, for the sake of its justice and plain dealing: Assessor of the Fourth District. Mr. Editor; Is there any good reason why R. II. Swift should hold the office of Revenue Assessor, for another four years, to the exclusion of such men as Capt. John C. Rurton. of Brook ville, atid James McConnell, of our own count)? These men are both applicants for the office, and both served the country faithfully in the late war, and each sacrificed a limb in that service, and for long years endured the toils and privations of army life, while the said Richard 11. Swift was serving tbe country in thecapacity of Assessor at the tune of four thousand dollars a year. Is it just that this able bodied man, and others like him, should monopolize all of those lucrative positions, while there are scores of maimed soldiers who are neeay ana are equally quannea to - , j is . . 1 discharge their duties I understand that Swift has the back- ! ing of both the Senators from this State, and if this be true he may well rest easy, and feel secure in bis four thousand dol lar office for another four years. But I ask again, is this just to the maimed soldier? These soldiers have been taught to believe that the Radicals were "their only ' I tt . . menus, and that to elevate that party to power, would be to secure to crippled sol .11 wfi,8,.a,'d at 'i qi- iiumc i anil ik wtiuiu nurn in srnini back. II ow well these pledges are bein redeemed, is seen iu the instance alluded to above. v- I understand that Judge Robert N. Lamb, of this place, would gladly aceppt the Asxessorehip. If ihis be true, I am at a loss to sec why his claims are not fa vorably considered by the powers nt Wash ington. Surely in point of ability and capacity, to discharge the duties of this or any other position, Swift holds no com parison to Judge Lamb. As a business taken into the account, Judge Lamb has claims of a high order, far superior to those of Swift. For while he Swift was off harloting with Johnsonism, attending ! Johnson conventions, and reporting resolutions strongly endorsing the "Johnson administration and its policy," and was loud and fierce in his denunciations of the Radical Congressional policy, Judge Lamb was ever faithful to the .Radical cause, and a firm and conscientious supporter of us roncy. ado ii musr. ue aamitteu on ' all hands, that the Judge made a most gallant fight in his canvass with Holman for Congress, and would, undoubtedly, have succeeded against any other Democrat in the district. As I have said, Judge L imb is an affable gentleman; and place him in the position of Assessor, and he will never make an enemy; and men of all parties would cheerfully join in his recommendation. must rule, and in thi, Sntnn R!nl.,l llilf Mr I' Mlln. it r.r, - II,.. "Mings' has got within the ring, and crippled solders must stand back, and gentlemen of ability, who have buiii p the Radical paity, must be content to occupy back seats, while apostate Johnsonites are permitted to luxuriate in lucrative official positions, and riot upon their rich proceeds. QuiLr. Moore's Hill, April 5, 18G9. The time seems to have come when as a unit the people demand that worthy men shall fill tbe ofiioes, and that demagogues who for so many years have enjoyed the blessings of lucrative positions shall yield to the claims of such men as Major Jno. C. Burton and other crippled soldiers. I say the time is at hand when a change is demanded, and the above article echoes the wish of a majority of the Republicans of this District. Mr. Swift never had a claim upon the position. He has held it for years, and it is time a change was made. This will be done. The only question is, who shall be appointed to fill the vacancy? Major John C. Burton of this County is a candidate for the position, and his claims are of such a high order that but few care to compete with him. His war record is a glorious one. He lost his right arm in the Mexican War at tbe battle of Buena Vista. When the rebellion broke out be enlisted the first company in this County, was elected Captain, promoted Major, and honorably discharged after serving three years his full terra of enlistment. The Major is a warm-hearted, high-minded gentleman, and as a business man he has few equals and no superiors. He is an ardent Republican, and there is no member of the party here wh is more

respected, or whom the people would more delight to honor. But the Major is so well and favorably known that further notice would be superfluous. The appointment should be made for this County. Dearborn has the Collector, and it would be unjust to give her the Assessor. The justice of this is evident, and we believe the citizens of the latter County will make no farther attempt to secure the office. Judge Lamb is a clever gentleman, and an upright politician, but no doubt will decline to run against Major Burton, whose claims are inferior to none in the District. Disinterested.

The Reconstruction Act. The following is the full text of the act authorizing tbe submission of the Constitutions of Virginia,, Mississippi and Texas to a vote of the people, Slo., as approved and signed by the President: "Section 1. Be it. enacted tC-c, That the President of tfie United States, at such time as he may deem best for the public interest, may submit the Constitution which was framed by the convention which met in Richmond, Virginia, on Tuesday, the Sd day of December, 18G7, to the registered voters of said State, registered at the date of said submission, for ratification or rejection; and may also submit to a separate vote such provisions of said Constitution as he may deem best, such vote to be taken either upon each of the said provisions alone, or in connection with the other portions of said Constitution, as the President may direct. 'Sec. 2. That at the same election the voters of said State may vote to elect mem bers of the General Assembly of said State and all the officers ofsaid State trovidedfor bv the said Constitution, and members ef Congress; and the officer commanding the Distiict of Virginia shall cause the lists of registered voters of said State to be re vised, enlarged and corrected, prior to such election, accordins to law, and for that purpose may appoint such registers as he may deem necessary; and said elections shall be held, and a return thereof made in the manner provided by the acts of Congress, commonly called the .Recon struction acts. '!?kc 3. That the President of the United States may, in like manner, submit the Constitution of Texas to the voters of said State, at such time and in such manner as he may direct, either the enti.e Constitution or separate provisions of the same, as provided in the first section ot fhtuiiet In a RpnnrutA vnfp and Jft t thp ... I election the voters may vote for and Ie. ,h niemi,- of- ,iie Legislature, and n ,u it fr,orI n.n,.,) n n;A i,n. provi stitution, and members of Congress; provided, also, that no election shall be held in said State of Texas, ior any purpose, until the President so directs. "Sec. 4. That the President of the United States may, in like manner, as he may deem expedient, direct either the en ! ,ire L 0s,itution or separate provisions of ! ,ie Mie, aa is provided In the first sec- ! tion of this act, to be submitted to a separate State election iu the State of Mis sissippi, and at the same election voters may vote for and elect members of the Legislature and all tbe State officers provided for in said Constitution, and members of Congress. "Sec. 5. That if either of said Constitutions shall be ratified at such elections, the L gislature of the State so ratifying, elected as provided in this act, shall assemble at the capital of said States on the fourth Tuesday after the official promulgation of such ratification by the. military tfficer commanding in said State. "Sec. 6. That before the States of Virginia, Mississippi and Texas shall be admitted to a representation in Congress, their respective Legislatures, which maybe hereatter lawfully organized, shall rat ify the fifteenth article which has been proposed by Congress to the several States as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States. "Sec 7. That the proceedings in any of the said States shall uot be deemed final or operate as a complete restoration of the same until their action respectively shall be approved by Congress." i What Number May Ratify an Amendment. The question has been raised whether it is absolutely necessary under the Constitution that twe-tbirds of the members of the Legislature be present in order to ratify an Amendment. The State Constitution requires a quorum of two-thirds to be I indent before ibe Legislature can do any work for Indiana; but may not that body do certain acts in its relation to the General Government by a majority? There has been one case in the history of Indiana in which this principle was distinctly affirmed. In 1S57 Messrs Bright and Fitch were elected to the United States Senate for Indiana. "That election was made by a joint convention, composed of a majority of the Senate and a majority of the House of Re preventatives, the two Houses combinad being considerably less than two thirds of the General Assembly. The opponents of Bright and Fitch insisted that they had not been legally elected, for the reason that the Constitution of the State required two-thirds of each House to be present in order to make valid any legislative act, and that more than one-third of the mem. bers absented themselves from the joint convention. Acting on this theory the succeeding Legislature chose two other Senators and sent them to Washington to demand the seats then occupied by Bright and Fitch. The Senate then was strongly Democratic and after hearing the arguments advanced by the contending parties, it decided that Messrs Bright and Fitch had been legally elected, and refused to recognize the contestors. By that decision the Democratio members of the United States Senate declared that, in cases where the Constitution empowers the Legislature of a State to do a particular- ict, a majority of the members shall be held to be the Legislature, the Constitution of the State to the contrary notwithstanding." Id order to settle the question in Congress, Senator Morton has introduced a joint resolution in the body of which he ( j8 a member, providing, "that a majority of any State Legislature shall be sufticieut

to ratify any amendment to the Constitution of the United States proposed by Congress, and that the resignation or withdrawal, or temporary refusal to act, of the

minority, shall not affect tbe validity of such ratification by the majority." The adoption of this resolution will only strengthen the precedent established in the Case of Bright and Fitch, and would seem to be a legitimate way to meet and overcome the factious minority of our' Legislature, who, under the leadership of j a certain reckless demagogue, seek to bully j the majority into submission, by a most infamous abandonment of their post of! duty. Minister Hale Invited to Resign. The President has caused a cable telegram to be sent to Minister Hale at Madrid notifying him that his resignation will be accepted. There is reason to believe that he will speedily be removed if he does not resign. The quarrel between the Secretary and Minister is bitter and disgraceful, but the cause of Mr. Hale's retirement lies chiefly in the fact alluded to last week in the Spanish Cortes. He has not been bringing in articles contraband of war, but has been using his diplomatic privilege in tbe way of trade for his own benefit, and to a considerable amount. It is said that he had connection with a store, and brought in goods free of duty from England. Message from the President. Washington, April 7. The following message was received from tbe President by Congress, at 4 o'clock this afternoon: "To the Senate and House of Representative: '-While I am aware that the time in which Congress proposes now to remain in session is very brief, and that it is its desire, as far as consistent with the public interest, to avoid entering upon the general business of legislation, there is one subject which concerns so deeply the welfare of the country, that I deem it my duty to briug it before you. 1 have no doubt you will concur with me in the opinion that it is desirable lu restore the States which were engaged in the rebellion to their relations to the Government and the country at as early : prn-ind as the people of those Slates shall be found willlog to become peaceful and orderly communities, and to dpt and ui.iintain such constitutions and laws as will effectually secure the civil and political rights uf all persons wiihin their borders. 1 he authority of the United State, which has been vindicated and established by its military power, must undoubtedly be asserted ior the absolute protection of its citizens in the full enjoyment of that freedom aud se curity which is the object of republican government; bui whenever the people of a rebellious State are ready to enter in geiod faith upon the iic-roiitp!ishtient of this ob ject, in entire conformity with the constitutional authority of Congress, it is certainly desirable that all causes of irritation should be reujoved as promptly as possible, that a more perfect union may bo established, and the country restored to peace and prosperity. The convention of the people of Virginia, which met in Richmond, on December ',). 1867, framed a Constitution for that State, which was adopted by the con veri!i,;n on the 17th oT April, 18G3; and I desire respectfully to call the attention of foi.gress to the propriety of providinc by law for the hold ing of an election in that State at some time during the month.-, of Mav aud June next, under tho direction of the military commander of the district, at which the question of the adoption ot that Constitution shall be submitted to the citizens of the State; and if this should seem desirable, I would recommend that a separate vote be taken upon such parts as may be thought expedient, and that, at the same time, and under the same authority, there shall be an election for the officers provi ded under such Constitution, and that the Constitution, or such parts thereof as shall have been adopted by the people, be sub mitted to Congress on the first Monday of December nest, for its consideration, so that if the sami is then approved, the necessaiy steps will have been taken for the restoration of Virginia to its proper relations to the Uuiuu. I am led to make this recommendation from the coufident hope aud belief that the people of that State are now ready to co operate with the National Government in bringing it into such relations to the Union as it ought as soon as possible to establish and maintain, and to give to all its people those equal rights under the law which are asserted in the Declaration of Independence, in the words of one of her most illustrious sons. "I desire, also, to ask the consideration of Coocress to tbe question whether there is not just ground for believing the Consti tutiou, framed by a oonvent'on of the people of Mississippi for that State, and once rejected, might not bo again submitted to the people of that State in like manner and with the probability of the same result. U. S. Grant. "Washington, D. C, April 7, 1869." RHODE ISLAND ELECTION. - Another Republican Victory. Pbovidenck, April 7. The election for State officers and members of the Legislature to-day passed off very quietly, and a light vote was cast. Tbe Republican ticket, headed by Seth Padelford, for Governor, is elected by about 3,000 majority. Returns from all but four towns give Padelford 6,858, and Pierce, Democrat; 3,009. Tbe Senate will probably comprise 27 Republicans and 6 Democrats. Tbe House 61 Republicans and 11 Democrats. Providence gave 1,642 Republican and 576 Democratio votes; Newport, 407 Republican and 103 Democrat; Bristol, 470 Republican and 183 Democrat; Woonsocket, 288. Republican, and 52 Democratic votes. Returns from every town in the State, except Black Island, give Padelford 7,167, and Pierce 3,359. The total vote is about one half that of last fall. The Indiana Democrats. The Democratic members of the Indiana Legislature resigned in a body the other dajt bo as to thwart, by preventing tbe meeting of a quorum, the ratification of the fifteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States extending the right of suffrage to negroes. The Democratic Congressmen from Indiana, we see, approve of this extraordinary step, aud so

do most of the Democratic newspapers throughout the Country. As the Sun has again and again repeated, this giving the suffrage to the negro is not a matter upon which an issue of national interest can be raised, and the party which attempts to make it such commits a serious blunder. The people have, in the first places, long ago tired of hearing it discussed; and then, they know that the number of nesroes in the North

is too small to make their votes of any practical importance, while in the Southern thev alreadv have the iiffrn.r1 nrt ; , -- 'V cannot be taken av from iliom Who j - . .law folly, then, for the great Democratic party iu wasie us Birengm in attempting to revive a dead question, and to commit itself to a position which is every day becoming less tenable! N. Y. Sun. The Constitutional Amendment. We condense from the New York Times the following statement of the present condition of the constitutional amendment as it regards the action of the States in ratifying it: Kansas ratified the amendment February 27; Louisiana and Nevada, March 1; Missouri, March 2; West Virginia, March 3; North Carolina, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, March 5; Maine and South Carolina, March 11; Massachusetts, March 12; Arkansas, .March la, and Pennsylvania, March 25. The Assembly of New York ratified the amendment March 17; it is yet to be acted upon by the Senate. The Legislatures of Missouri, Kansas and Nevada, iu their haste to act upon the amendmeut previous to adjournment, ratified a telegraphic report of it, and, as there were errors in that copy, their action is declared to be incomplete. This being the case, the Legislatures of those States must again act upon the intendment at their next session. The Legislatures of Georgia and Delaware, on the 18th of March, rejected the resolutions ratifying the amendment. The Legislature of Rhode Island postponed its consideration until May. Most of the Democratic members of the Legislature resigned their seats to prevent the ratifi cation here, but if Congress accepts the authority of a Democratic United States Senate, the absence of those will not af. feet the ratification made by ti.e majority of both Houses. The case of Bright and Fitch is a precedent that no Democrat can deny, and none has dared to encounter. Journal. An Incident. A rather amusing incident occurred in the Senate Chamber on Thursday afteinoon. Alter the rolt of counties had been called for credentials from the vacant distric s, Dr. Gilford, of Franklin County, strolled in and sat down in his old seat, to look on The Doctor has a host of friends, if he is a Democrat, aud makes an excellent Senator when he don't resign, but is just now one of the martyrs. After he had sat there a few minutes, Mr. Stein asked that the county of Franklin be called, which was done. The Doctor looked puzzled, turned red in the face, but after a moment, answered "hero." The Republicans looked unite etiuouraredr, and expressed their approval,, whi'e the President asked him if he was re:.dy to present his credentials and be sworn in. The Doctor still looked iuzz'ed, glanced around over the Senate, and tlien at the President, and said that ''his credentials were rather slow in getting in; he hoped they would bo along that evening." A dozen Seuators shouted they would take the lisk and let him be sworn in, but the Doctor "declined with thanks." Correspondence of Ciuciouati Gazette. NEW ADVERTISE. MEN T.S. COOPERS WANTEB. Good Coeriar on Tight Barrel wnnted immediately. Sioady irurk the year round. 15 WV W. 3JA ISuN A CO. Harrison, Ajiril 16,169. MILK! MILK! THE undersigned will emmunre running s JL MILK WAWON in Urook ville the first of May next, and will furnish giod m mik every evening at five cents a quart. Leave your order at Hoi-kalclicr's and Teuipleton'a gturev. apl 16 4ht. J. p. SHILTZ. AT AUCTION! THK undersigned, Assignee in Bankruptcy rf the estate of F.M.Stonr, will feH at jiublir auction, on FRIDAY,. iMay 7th, lhCM, at 10 o'clock A. M., on the premises, in ISroi kvillf , Indiana, the large and well krrunged mil!, known as the White Water Paper Mill, In complete running order in every respect. Lsrre and convenient frame building, containing 6--inch Four drinier niartaint, with 6 copper dryer; 1 8 calendar rolls, so arranged as to give excellent finish on bravy book papers; 4 large r.ig erginrt. capacity of 5,000 pounds per 24 hours: larpe rotary tleach; tub bleach, with all the nects.'arj pumps; stuff and half stuff cbejts tanks, Jc.ic. for a first-class paper mill. The water power is ample for running the whole mill. The situntion of the mill on the direct railroad from Cincinnati to v-iica'o, anuras facilities ior receiving m I s'-lproDS freight at mi'l door. Also, at i-? same time and place, one 3B-inca Cylinder Machine, 4.i"-inch dryers, good calsndara; one Steam Engine, 37 horse power. One Garote cutter; machinists' and carpenters tools; a large lot of book, cews and wrapping papers; a lot of rags, canvass, hemp stock, old papers; a lot of half stuff; lot new Fourdrinier felts and wires, bleaching powders, vitiiol; defks, safe and other office furniture, ic. Also on the same day, the following described paroels of real estate: Lot No. 15 in W. TV. Butler's nlat of ths town of Brookville, in tbe vicinity of the canal basin, with two story frame building, subject to the payment of two notes of $100 each, one das Oct. 11th, 1868, the other Oot. 11th, 1869. Also, lots 102 and 103, and parts of tots 1M and 105, and one rod on the quarter section lin from theoanal basin to W. W. V. Railread. all in plat of Mary and W. W. Butler, in town of Brooville, Ind. , TERMS OF SALE. For the Mill, one-b" cash, one fourth in six months, balance in iweiv moo ths; deferred payments to bear interest and be secured to the satisfaction of Assignee. '' all other property, terms cash on delivery. Any further information can be had by eaUmf on or addressing tbe Assignee or his Attorney. JAMES R. STONE, Assignee, ie., 141 Walnut street, Cincinnati, 0. RucBKif Ttlck, Attorney for Assignee, No. 5 Masonio Temple, Cincinnati, 0. pi l-4w. . Dwelling House ana Six Acres of Ground For Sale. THE undersigned offers for sale his Dwelling Ilou.-e and six acres of ground situated joining Adams's Store in Springfield Towosnip. Franklin County, Indiana. The house is J TV... ic a. Bla' new,aua cuawiua uvc iudius. smith shop (an excellent stand 'or.work'j,kiB0,j r . . ; i, ..... . nrA .nnloi nmff I of fruit, good well, cistern and on"""1"1"' HIT PI uv.cvb, n " .J woun.M " " r . i . j never failing springs and good pasture. . . . - inn ' T f JOS. URMT0T. Springfield". lBd' very low. enquire ot apl 9 3m Exeeutor's NoticeNOTICE is hereby given that the nindf!'i has been appointed Executor of the '"k,iB and testament of Isaac Miller, late of j County, Indiana, deceased. Said Estate I r posed to be solvent. WILLIAM Br. April v, loov-jw. .

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