Taffe, Trimble, Tyner, Van Trump, John T. Wilson, March 16-It passed the Senate-yeas 42, nays 13, as follow: SEC. 2. That any contract hereafter made specifically payable in coin, and the consideration of which may be a loan of coin, or a sale of property, or the rendering of labor or service of any kind, YEAS-Messrs. Abbott, Anthony, Boreman, Brown- the price of which, as carried into the contract, low, Cameron, Cattell, Chandler, Conkling, Corbett, Cragin, Drake, Edmunds, Fenton, Ferry, Fessenden, may have been adjusted on the basis of the coin Gilbert, Grimes, Harris, Howard, Kellogg, McDonald, value thereof at the time of such sale or the renMorrill, Nye, Patterson, Pool, Pratt, Ramsey, Robert-dering of such service or labor, shall be legal son, Sawyer, Schurz, Scott, Sherman, Stewart. Sumner, and valid, and may be enforced according to its Thayer, Tipton, Trumbull, Warner, Willey, Williams, Wilson, Yates-42. NAYS-Messrs. Bayard, Carpenter, Casserly, Cole, Davis, Morton, Osborn, Rice, Ross, Spencer, Stockton, Thurman, Vickers-13. Pending the consideration of this subject, the following proceedings took place: IN HOUSE. 1869, March 12-Mr. Schenck introduced the bill passed at third session of Fortieth Congress, and "pocketed" by President JOHNSON. (See page 13-395.) Mr. Allison moved to strike out the second section; which was agreed to-yeas 87, nays 56, as follow: YEAS—Messrs. Allison, Ames, Archer, Bailey, Beaman, The bill was then passed by the vote previously given. IN SENATE. March 9-The following bill was reported from the Committee on Finance: terms. March 11-Mr. Howard moved to insert the word "written" before "contract" in the 2d section where it first occurs; which was agreed to. Mr. Sumner moved to strike out the 2d section; which was agreed to-yeas 28, nays 15, as follow: YEAS-Messrs. Bayard, Boreman, Carpenter, Casserly, Grimes, Hamlin, Morrill, Morton, Osborn, Patterson, NAYS-Messrs. Abbott, Anthony, Brownlow, Drake, Mr. Thurman moved to add to the 1st section the following proviso: Provided, That nothing herein contained shall apply to the obligations commonly called fivetwenty bonds. Which was not agreed to-yeas 12, nays 31, as follow: Norton, Osborn, Pratt, Ross, Sprague, Stockton, Thur man, Vickers-12. NAYS-Messrs. Abbott, Anthony, Brownlow, Carpenter, Conkling, Corbett, Cragin, Drake, Fenton, Ferry, Morrill, Nye, Patterson, Ramsey, Sawyer, Schurz, Scott, Gilbert, Grimes, Hamlin, Harris, Kellogg, McDonald, Sherman, Stewart, Sumner, Tipton, Trumbull, Warner, Williams, Wilson-31. Mr. Morton moved to strike from section 1st the words, "authorizing the issue of any such obligation;" which was not agreed to-yeas 14, nays 32, as follow: YEAS-Messrs. Bayard, Brownlow, Casserly, Morton, Norton, Pomeroy, Pratt, Robertson, Ross, Spencer, Sprague, Stockton, Thurman, Vickers-14. NAYS-Messrs. Abbott, Anthony, Boreman, Carpenter, Cattell, Corbett, Cragin, Drake, Fenton, Ferry, Fessenden, Gilbert, Grimes, Hamlin, Howard, Howe, Mor rill, Patterson, Ramsey, Sawyer, Schurz, Scott, Sherman, Stewart, Sumner, Thayer, Tipton, Warner, Willey, Williams, Wilson, Yates-32. March 15-This bill was then laid aside, and the House bill taken up and passed by the vote given above. Amendment to the Tenure-of-Office Act. This bill passed both Houses, and became a AN ACT to amend "An act regulating the tenure of certain civil offices." A BILL to strengthen the public credit, and relating to contracts for the payment of coin. Be it enacted, &c., That in order to remove any doubt as to the purpose of the Government to discharge all just obligations to the public creditors, and to settle conflicting questions and inter-law: pretations of the laws by virtue of which such obligations have been contracted, it is hereby provided and declared, that the faith of the United States is solemnly pledged to the payment in coin, or its equivalent, of all the interest-bearing obligations of the United States, except in cases where the law authorizing the issue of any such obligation has expressly provided that the same may be paid in lawful money or other currency than gold and silver: Provided, however, That before any of said interest-bearing obligations That every person holding any civil office to not already due shall mature or be paid before which he has been or hereafter may be appointed, maturity, the obligations not bearing interest, by and with the advice and consent of the Senknown as United States notes, shall be made ate, and who shall have become duly qualified convertible into coin at the option of the holder. I to act therein, shall be entitled to hold such office Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the first and second sections of an act entitled "An act regulating the tenure of certain civil offices," passed March 2, 1867, be, and the same are hereby, repealed, and in lieu of said repealed sections the following are hereby enacted: during the term for which he shall have been appointed, unless sooner removed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, or by the appointment, with the like advice and consent, of a successor in his place, except as herein otherwise provided. SEO. 2. And be it further enacted, That during any recess of the Senate the President is hereby empowered, in his discretion, to suspend any civil officer appointed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, except judges of the United States courts, until the end of the next session of the Senate, and to designate some suitable person, subject to be removed in his discretion by the designation of another, to perform the duties of such suspended officer in the meantime; and such person so designated shall take the oaths and give the bonds required by law to be taken and given by the suspended officer, and shall, during the time he performs his duties, be entitled to the salary and emoluments of such office, no part of which shall belong to the officer suspended; and it shall be the duty of the President within thirty days after the commencement of each session of the Senate, except for any office which in his opinion ought not to be filled, to nominate persons to fill all vacancies in office which existed at the meeting of the Senate, whether temporarily filled or not, and also in the place of all officers suspended; and if the Senate during such session shall refuse to advise and consent to an appointment in the place of any suspended officer, then, and not otherwise, the President shall nominate another person as soon as practicable to said session of the Senate for said office. SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That section three of the act to which this is an amendment be amended by inserting after the word "resignation," in line three of said section, the following: or expiration of term of office." Approved, April 5, 1869. The final vote was as follows: IN SENATE, March 31. PRELIMINARY VOTES. The following is the action of each House in detail: IN HOUSE. 1869, March 9-The bill to repeal the tenureof-office act was introduced by Mr. Benjamin F. Butler, and read a first and second time and passed-yeas 138, nays 16, (not voting 39,) as follow: YEAS-Messrs. Adams, Allison, Ambler, Archer, Asper, Axtell, Bailey, Banks, Beaman, Beck, Bennett, Biggs, Burdett, Burr, Benjamin F. Butler, Roderick R. ButBingham. Blair, Boutwell, Bowen, Boyd, Buffinton, ler, Cake, Cessna, Churchill, Clarke, Cleveland, Amasa Cobb, Clinton L. Cobb, Coburn, Cook, Conger, Crebs, Dyer, Eldridge, Ferry, Finckelnburg, Fisher, Fitch, Cullom. Davis, Dawes, Deweese, Dickey, Dickinson, Gilfillan, Golladay, Griswold, Haldeman, Hale, Hamill, Hawkins, Hawley, Hay, Heaton, Hill, Hoag, Hoar, Hol man, Ingersoll, Johnson, Alexander H. Jones, Thomas L. Knapp, Knott, Lash, Logan, Loughridge, Marshall, MayJones, Judd, Julian, Kelley, Kelsey, Kerr, Ketcham, ham, McCormick, McCrary, McGrew, McNeely, Moffet, EliaO'Neill, Orth, Packard, Packer, Paine, Palmer, Peters, kim H. Moore, Jesse H. Moore, Morrill, Negley, Niblack, Phelps, Pomeroy, Potter, Prosser, Randall, Reading, Rice, Rogers, Sargent, Schumaker, Scofield, Shanks, Sheldon, Stiles, Stone, Stoughton, Strader, Strickland, Swann, Slocum, John A. Smith, William J. Smith, Stevenson, Sweeney Trimble, Twichell, Tyner, Upson, Van Auken,Van Horn, Van Trump, Voorhees, Cadwalader C. Washburn, William B. Washburn, Welker, Wells. Wheeler, Williams, Eugene M. Wilson, John T. Wilson, Winans, Winchester, Witcher, Wood, Woodward-138. NAYS-Messrs. Arnell, Boles, Farnsworth, Ferriss, Worthington C. Smith, Stokes, Taffe, Tillman, Ward, Hotchkiss, Jenckes, Lawrence, Maynard, Schenck, Whittemore, Willard—16. IN SENATE. March 11-It was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary-yeas 34, nays 25, as follow: YEAS-Messrs. Abbott, Anthony, Brownlow, Buckingham, arpenter, Cattell, Chandler, Conkling, Cragin, Drake, Edmunds, Ferry, Gilbert, IIamlin, Harris, Howard, Howe, Morrill, Norton, Nye, Patterson, Pomeroy, Ramsey, Rice. Sawyer, Schurz, Scott, Stewart. Sumner, Tipton, Trumbull, Williams, Wilson, Yates-34. ÑAYS-Messrs. Bayard, Boreman, Cameron, Casserly, Corbett, Davis, Fenton, Fessenden, Fowler, Grimes, McCreery, McDonald, Morton, Pool, Pratt, Robertson, Ross, Sherman, Spencer, Sprague, Stockton, Thayer, Thurman, Vickers, Warner-25. . from the Committee on the Judiciary, amended March 24-Mr. Trumbull reported the bill so as to strike out all after the enacting clause and insert as follows: That the 1st and 2d sections of an act entitled "An act regulating the tenure of certain civil officers," passed March 2, 1867, be, and the same are hereby, repealed, and in lieu of said repealed sections the following are hereby enacted: That every person holding any civil office to which he has been or may hereafter be appointed, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and who shall have become qualified to act therein, shall be entitled to hold such office during the term for which he shall have been appointed, unless sooner removed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, or by the appointment, with the like advice and consent, of a successor in his place, except as herein | Twichell, Ward, Welker, Wheeler, John T. Wilson, otherwise provided. SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That during any. recess of the Senate the President is hereby empowered, in his discretion, to suspend any civil officer appointed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, except judges of the United States courts, until the end of the next session of the Senate, and to designate some suitable person subject to be removed in his discretion by the designation of another to perform the duties of such suspended officer in the meantime; and such person so designated shall take oaths and give bonds required by law to be taken and given by the suspended officer, and shall during the time he performs his duties be entitled to the salary and emoluments of such office, no part of which shall belong to the officer suspended. It shall be the duty of the President within thirty days after the commencement of each session of the Senate, except for any office which in his opinion ought not to be filled, to nominate persons to fill all vacancies in office which existed at the meeting of the Senate, whether temporarily filled or not, and also in the place of all officers suspended, and if the Senate during such session shall refuse to advise and consent to an appointment in the place of any suspended officer, and shall also refuse by vote to assent to his suspension, then, and not otherwise, such officer, at the end of the session, shall be entitled to resume the possession of the office from which he was suspended, and afterwards to discharge its duties and receive its emoluments as though no such suspension had taken place. Which was agreed to-yeas 37, nays 15, as follow: YEAS-Messrs. Abbott, Anthony, Boreman, Brownlow, Buckingham, Carpenter, Cattell, Chandler, Conkling, Cragin, Drake, Edmunds, Ferry, Gilbert, Hamlin, Harlan, Harris, Howard, Kellogg, Morrill, Osborn, Patterson, Pratt, Ramsey, Rice, Sawyer, Schurz, Scott, Spencer, Stewart, Sumner, Tipton, Trumbull, Willey, Williams, Wilson, Yates-37. NAYS-Messrs. Bayard, Casserly, Davis, Fessenden, Fowler, Grimes, McCreery, McDonald, Norton, Ross, Sprague, Stockton, Thurman, Vickers, Warner-15. IN HOUSE. March 25—A motion to refer to the Committee on the Judiciary was agreed to-yeas 94, nays 79, not voting 23. March 26-This vote was reconsidered, without a division, and the House refused to concur in the amendment of the Senate-yeas 70, nays 99, (not voting 27,) as follow: YEAS-Messrs. Ames, Armstrong, Asper, Bailey, Beaman, Beatty, Benton, Bingham, Boles, Burdett, Roderick R. Butler, Cessna, Churchill, Clinton L. Cobb, Coburn, Cowles, Dixon, Dockery, Donley, Duval, Ela, Farnsworth, Ferriss, Finkelnburg, Garfield, Gilfillan, Hawley, Hill, Hooper, Hotchkiss, Ingersoll, Jenckes, Kelley, Kelsey, Ketcham, Knapp, Laflin, Lash, William Lawrence, Lynch, Maynard, McCarthy, McGrew, Mercur, Eliakim H. Moore, William Moore. Packer, Poland, Pomeroy, Prosser, Roots, Sanford, Sargent, Sawyer, Schenck, Scofield, Shanks, William J. Smith, William Smyth, Stevens, Stoughton, Strickland, Taffe. Tillman, Winans-70. NAYS-Messrs. Allison, Ambler, Archer, Axtell, Banks, Beck, Biggs, Bird, Blair, Boyd, Brooks, Buffinton, Burr, Benjamin F. Butler, Calkin, Clarke, Cleveland, Amasa Cobb, Cook, Conger, Crebs, Cullom, Davis, Dawes, Deweese, Dickey, Dickinson, Dyer, Eldridge, Ferry, Fisher, Fox, Getz, Golladay, Griswold, Haight, Haldeman, Hamble ton, Hawkins, Hay, Heaton, Hoag, Hoar, Holman, HopJulian, Kerr, Knott, Logan, Loughridge, Marshall, Maykins, Johnson, Alexander H. Jones, Thomas L. Jones, ham, McCrary, McNeely, Moffet, Jesse H. Moore, Morgan, Mungen, Niblack, O'Neill, Orth, Packard, Paine, Palmer, maker, Sheldon, Slocum, John A. Smith, Joseph S. Smith, Phelps, Randall, Reading, Reeves, Rice, Rogers, SchuStevenson, Swann, Sweeney, Tanner, Townsend, Trimble, Tyner, Upson, Van Horn, Van Trump, Cadwalader C. Washburn, William B. Washburn, Wells, Whittemore, Wilkinson, Williams, Eugene M. Wilson, Winchester, Witcher, Wood, Woodward-99. IN SENATE. March 30-A motion to recede from its amend ments was lost-yeas 20, nays 37, as follow: YEAS Messrs. Bayard, Casserly, Cole, Davis, Fenton, ton, Pool, Robertson, Ross, Sprague, Stockton, Thayer, Fessenden, Fowler, Grimes, McCreery, McDonald, MorThurman, Vickers, Warner-20. NAYS-Messrs. Abbott, Anthony, Boreman, Brownlow, Cragin, Drake, Edmunds, Ferry, Gilbert, Hamlin, Har Buckingham, Cameron, Carpenter, Cattell, Conkling, lan, Harris, Howard, Howe, Kellogg, Morrill, Nye, Patterson, Pomeroy, Pratt, Ramsey, Rice, Sawyer, Schurz, Scott, Spencer, Sumner, Tipton, Trumbull, Willey, Williams, Wilson-37. A committee of conference was then voted, and Messrs. Trumbull, Edmunds, and Grimes appointed conferees. IN HOUSE. March 80-A motion that the House recede from its disagreement was lost-yeas 61, nays 106. The conference was granted, and Messrs Benjamin F. Butler, Cadwalader C. Washburn, and Bingham were appointed the managers. March 31-The committee of conference reported, recommending certain amendments, (to make the bill stand as it finally passed,) and the report was adopted-in the House, yeas 108, nays 67; in the Senate, yeas 42, nays 8, as printed above. Resolved, That in passing the resolution for the fifteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States this house never intended that Chinese or Mongolians should become voters. The motion to suspend the rules was lostyeas 42, nays 106, not voting 48. The YEAS were Messrs. Archer, Axtell, Bird, Brooks, Burr, Calkin, Crebs, Dickinson, Eldridge, Fitch, Golladay, Haight, Haldeman, Hambleton, Hamill, Hawkins, Holman, Johnson, Thomas L. Jones, Kerr, Knott, Mayham, McNeely, Potter, Randall, Reading, Reeves, Sargent, Slocum, Joseph S. Smith, William J. Smith, Stiles, Stone, Strader, Swann, Van Auken, Van Trump, Wells, Eugene M. Wilson, Winchester, Wood, Woodward. XLII. PRESIDENT GRANT'S INAUGURAL ADDRESS, AND MESSAGE ON RECONSTRUCTION, AND THE OFFICIAL PROCLAMATIONS OF THE YEAR. President Grant's Inaugural Address, March | debt will be trusted in public place, and it will 4th, 1869. Citizens of the United States: go far towards strengthening a credit which ought to be the best in the world, and will ultimately enable us to replace the debt with bonds bearing less interest than we now pay. To this should be added a faithful collection of the revenue, a strict accountability to the treasury for every dollar collected, and the greatest practicable retrenchment in expenditure in every de Your suffrages having elected me to the office of President of the United States, I have, in conformity to the Constitution of our country, taken the oath of office prescribed therein. I have taken this oath without mental reservation, and with the determination to do to the best of my ability all that it requires of me. The re-partment of government. sponsibilities of the position I feel, but accept them without fear. The office has come to me unsought; I commence its duties untrammelled. I bring to it a conscious desire and determination to fill it to the best of my ability to the satisfaction of the people. On all leading questions agitating the public mind I will always express my views to Congress, and urge them according to my judgment; and, when I think it advisable, will exercise the constitutional privilege of interposing a veto to defeat measures which I oppose. But all laws wil be faithfully executed whether they meet my approval or not. I shall on all subjects have a policy to recommend, but none to enforce against the will of the people. Laws are to govern all alike, those opposed as well as those who favor them. I know no method to secure the repeal of bad or obnoxious laws so effective as their stringent execution. The country having just emerged from a great | rebellion, many questions will come before it for settlement in the next four years which preceding Administrations have never had to deal with. In meeting these it is desirable that they should be approached calmly, without prejudice, hate or sectional pride, remembering that the greatest good to the greatest number is the object to be attained. When we compare the paying capacity of the country now-with the ten States in poverty from the effects of war, but soon to emerge, I trust, into greater prosperity than ever beforewith its paying capacity twenty-five years ago, and calculate what it probably will be twentyfive years hence, who can doubt the feasibility of paying every dollar then with more ease than we now pay for useless luxuries? Why, it looks as though Providence had bestowed upon us a strong box in the precious metals locked up in the sterile mountains of the far west, and which we are now forging the key to unlock, to meet the very contingency that is now upon us. Ultimately it may be necessary to insure the facilities to reach these riches, and it may be necessary also that the general government should give its aid to secure this access. But that should only be when a dollar of obligation to pay secures precisely the same sort of dollar to use now, and not before. Whilst the question of specie payments is in abeyance, the prudent business man is careful about contracting debts payable in the distant future. The nation should follow the same rule. A prostrate commerce is to be rebuilt and all industries encouraged. The young men of the country, those who from their age must be its rulers twenty-five years hence, have a peculiar interest in maintaining the national honor. A moment's reflection as to what will be our commanding influence among the nations of the earth in their day, if they are only true to themselves, should inspire them with national pride. All divisions, geographical, political, and religious, can join in this common sentiment. How the public debt is to be paid, or specie payments resumed, is not so important as that a plan should be adopted and acquiesced in. This requires security of person, property, and free religious and political opinion in every part of our common country, without regard to local prejudice. All laws to secure these ends will receive my best efforts for their enforcement. A great debt has been contracted in securing to us and our posterity the Union. The pay ment of this, principal and interest, as well as the return to a specie basis, as soon as it can be accomplished without material detriment to the A united determination to do is worth more debtor class or to the country at large, must be than divided counsels upon the method of doing provided for. To protect the national honor Legislation upon this subject may not be necesevery dollar of government indebtedness should sary now, nor even advisable, but it will be when be paid in gold, unless otherwise expressly stip- the civil law is more fully restored in all parts ulated in the contract. Let it be understood of the country, and trade resumes its wonted that no repudiator of one farthing of our public | channels. to h It will be my endeavor to execute all laws in good faith, to collect all revenues assessed, and em properly accounted for and economically disbursed. I will, to the best of my ability, appoint to office those only who will carry out this design. In regard to foreign policy, I would deal with nations as equitable law requires individuals to deal with each other, and I would protect the law-abiding citizen, whether of native or foreign birth, wherever his rights are jeopardized or the flag of our country floats. I would respect the rights of all nations, demanding equal respect for our own. If others depart from this rule in their dealings with us, we may be compelled to follow their precedent. The proper treatment of the original occupants of this land, the Indians, is one deserving of careful study. I will favor any course toward them which tends to their civilization and ultimate citizenship. The question of suffrage is one which is likely to agitate the public so long as a portion of the citizens of the nation are excluded from its privileges in any State. It seems to me very desirable that this question should be settled now, and I entertain the hope and express the desire that it may be by the ratification of the fifteenth article of amendment to the Constitution. In conclusion, I ask patient forbearance one toward another throughout the land, and a determined effort on the part of every citizen to do his share toward cementing a happy Union, and I ask the prayers of the nation to Almighty God in behalf of this consummation. President Grant's Message respecting the Reconstruction of Virginia and Mississippi, April 7, 1869. To the Senate and House of Representatives: 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 is 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 bring it before you. I have no doubt that you will concur with me in the opinion that it is desirable to restore the States which were engaged in the rebellion to their proper relations to the Government and the country at as early a period as the people of those States shall be found willing to become peaceful and orderly communities, and to adopt and maintain such constitutions and laws as will effectually secure the civil and political rights of all persons within their borders. The authority of the United States, which has been vindicated and established by its military power, must undoubtedly be asserted for the absolute protection of all its citizens in the full enjoyment of the freedom and security which is the object of a republican government. But whenever the people of a rebellious State are ready to enter in good faith upon the accomplishment of this object, in entire conformity with the constitutional authority of Congress, it is certainly desirable that all causes of irritation should be removed as promptly as possible, that a more perfect union may be established, and the country be restored to peace and prosperity.. The convention of the people of Virginia which met in Richmond on Tuesday, December 3, 1867, framed a constitution for that State, which was adopted by the convention on the 17th of April, 1868, and I desire respectfully to call the attention of Congress to the propriety of providing by law for the holding of an election in that State at some time during the months of May and June next, under the direction of the military commander of that district, at which the question of the adoption of 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 provided under such constitution, and that the constitution, or such parts thereof as shall have been adopted by the people, be submitted to Congress on the first Monday of December next for its consideration, so that if the same is then approved the necessary steps will have been taken for the restoration of the State of Virginia to its proper relations to the Union. I am led to make this recommendation from the confident hope and belief that the people of that State are now ready to co-operate with the national government in bringing it again 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 were asserted in the Declaration of Independence in the words of one of the most illustrious of its sons, I desire also to ask the consideration of Congress to the question whether there is not just ground for believing that the constitution framed by a convention of the people of Mississippi for that State, and once rejected, might not be 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. Final Certificate of Mr. Secretary Seward raspecting the Ratification of the Fourteenth. Amendment to the Constitution, July 28, 1968.. BY WILLIAM H. SEWARD, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. To all to whom these presents may come, greeting: 20th of April, 1818, entitled An act to provide Whereas by an act of Congress passed on the for the publication of the laws of the United States and for other purposes," it is declared, that whenever official notice shall have been received at the Department of State that any amendment which heretofore has been and hereafter may be proposed to the Constitution of the United States has been adopted according to the provisions of the Constitution, it shall be the duty of the said Secretary of State forthwith to newspapers authorized to promulgate the laws, cause the said amendment to be published in the *The vote was taken June 22, 1868, and, as transmitted by Gen. Gillem, was as follows: For the constitution, 155,351. 56,231; against it, 63,860. Number of registered voters |