FIFTEENTH ARTICLE AMENDMENT.
Mr. PIERCE, of Vigo, from a majority of the Committee on Elections, reported on the petition presented yesterday by Mr. Coffroth, from 2,000 citizens of the counties of Ohio and Switzlerland, for instructions to their Senator and Representative to oppose the ratification of the fifteenth amendment proposed to the Constitution of the United States or resign. The report recites the article of the general Constitution providing for amendments thereof, and alleges that the proceedings in relation to the proposed fifteenth amendment have been regular; and that the proposition for submission to the people is unknown to the Constitution; and it concludes with the expression of opinion that the said petitioners should not interpose authoritatively in cases where the oath of their Representatives are involved.
On motion of Mr. ZOLLERS, it was laid on the table.
Mr. OSRORN, from the Committee on Education, returned Mr. Cunningham's bill to amend sections 1, 25, and 33 of the Common School law (for changing the pay of certian school officers) recommending its indefinite postponement.
Mr. MITCHELL, from the Committee on Fees and Salaries, returned Mr. Dunn's bill [H. R. 233] for amending the law regulating the fees of certain officers-Surveyors-recommending its indefinite postponement.
These reports for indefinite postponement were severally concurred in.
Mr. BRECKINRIDGE, from the Committee on Rights and Privileges, returned his bill [H. R. 328,] for registrations of births and deaths, recommending its indefinite postponement.
Mr. COFFROTH considered that this bill has good features. It is a matter which frequently becomes of the highest impor page: 101[View Page 101]tance to parties in reference to questions of identity. The country is growing, and property is becoming very valuable, and something of this character is eminently fit and proper.
Mr. MITCHELL. The late war has given rise to many claims against the Government for pensions and bounties, and I have found it very difficult, in numerous cases, to get the necessary proof to establish the claims of minor heirs.
Mr. BRECKINRIDGE. It was the opinion of the committee that the bill imposed onerous duties on the Township Assessors, and it imposes penalties on ministers of the gospel and others who may solemnize marriages, if they fail to report to the Assessor. The committee were unable to see in what sense it could do any good. The institutions of our country differ entirely from those of the old country, There every man is bound to do military duty, and every child is born a member of the church, etc.
The House refused to concur in the recommendation of the report to indefinitely postpone the bill - affirmative, 27; negative, 45.
On motion of Mr. PIERCE, of Porter, the bill was then referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
