The proposed fifteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States. FEBRUARY 8, 18-Ordered to lie on the table and be printed. STATE OF IOWA, EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Des Moines, February 4, 1870. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith "Joint resolution ratifying the proposed fifteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States, relative to the right of citizens to vote," adopted by the general assembly of the State of Iowa, February 3, 1870. Hon. SCHUYLER COLFAX, SAM. MERRILL. Vice-President. JOINT RESOLUTION ratifying the proposed fifteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States, relative to the right of citizens to vote. Whereas the fortieth Congress of the United States has proposed to the legislatures of the several States the following article of amendment to the federal Constitution, namely: ARTICLE XV. SECTION 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any State, on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. SEC. 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. Therefore, Be it resolved by the general assembly of the State of Iowa, That the State of Iowa, by its legislature, hereby ratifies, adopts, and assents to the said amendment. AYLETT R. COTTON, Speaker of the House of Representatives. M. M. WALDEN, Approved February 3, 1870. President of the Senate. SAMUEL MERRILL. STATE OF IOWA, Executive Office: I, Samuel Merrill, governor of the State of Iowa, and keeper of the great seal thereof, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a joint resolution therein named, passed by the general assembly of the State of Iowa, on the third day of February, A. D. 1870. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and caused to be affixed the great seal of the State of Iowa, at Des Moines, this fourth day of February, A. D. 1870. [SEAL.] By the governor : Secretary of State. SAM. MERRILL. RESOLUTIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA IN FAVOR OF The establishment of a postal telegraph system. FEBRUARY 8, 1870.—Ordered to lie on the table and be printed. JOINT RESOLUTIONS in favor of the establishment of a national postal telegraph system. Be it resolved by the senate of Alabama, (the house of representatives concurring,) That the cheapest and freest possible use of every means of rapid communication between the people of different parts of our country is essential to the promotion of the highest civilization and the most perfect unity, and that in the present state of scientific development such a means of communication can be best afforded to all the people by the establishment of a national postal telegraph system, under the control of the general government. SEC. 2. Be it further resolved, That our senators in Congress be instructed, and our representatives requested, to use their best endeavors and influence for the establishment, by act of Congress, of a national postal telegraph, which shall afford to the people abundant facilities for telegraphic correspondence, with equal charges for like distances in all parts of the country. SEC. 3. Be it further resolved, That a certified copy of these resolutions shall be sent by the governor, under the great seal of the State, to the President of the United States Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with the request that the same may be laid before the respective houses of Congress, and that a copy be sent to each senator and representative in Congress from Alabama. Approved February 2, 1870. OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE, I hereby certify that the foregoing is a correct copy of the original resolutions on file in this office. [SEAL.] CHAS. A. MILLER, 2d Session. No. 46. LETTER OF BREVET MAJOR GENERAL J. J. REYNOLDS, COMMANDING FIFTH MILITARY DISTRICT, COMMUNICATING Extracts from the journals of the senate and house of representatives of the legislature of the State of Texas, of proceedings relating to the election of Morgan C. Hamilton and J. W. Flanagan United States senators. MARCH 10, 1870.-Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and ordered to be printed. HEADQUARTERS FIFTH MILITARY DISTRICT, OFFICE OF CIVIL AFFAIRS, Austin, Texas, February 26, 1870. Official extracts from the journals of the State legislature, State of Texas, with reference to their action on the election of United States senators, respectfully furnished the honorable President of the Senate of the United States, Washington, D. C. J. J. REYNOLDS, Brevet Major General U. S. A., Commanding. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, House met pursuant to adjournment. Roll called. Quorum present. Journal of yesterday read and adopted. * Mr. Butler moved to take a recess until 11.55 a. m., this day. Carried. House called to order. 11.55 A. M. The speaker announced that the business now before the house was nominations for United States senator for the term ending March 4, 1877. Mr. Butler nominated Mr. M. C. Hamilton. Mr. Slaughter moved a call of the house. Call sustained. Absentees, Messrs. Sheriff and Manning. Messrs. J. Abbott and Haswell were excused on account of sickness. Mr. Robinson moved that the absentees, who were not absent through sickness, be brought into the house by the sergeant-at-arms. Carried. |