ties depends in any degree upon the place of his
nativity. This seems too obvious to need discussion. It is
also a fact, appearing in the public records of Congress and
doubtless known to the petitioners, that when the XV.
Amendment was under consideration by Congress it was
proposed to embrace in it a prohibition of any denial of
suffrage, on account of "nativity," and that this
proposition was not agreed to, for the reason that Congress
did not think it expedient to restrict the ancient powers of
the States in these respects any further than appeared to be
absolutely needful to secure to the whole people the great
results of the overthrow of the rebellion.

The committee is therefore of opinion that there is nothing
in the provisions of the constitution of Rhode Island
referred to in conflict with the Constitution of the United
States.

Whether these provisions are wise or right in themselves is
a matter over which neither the committee nor Congress has
any control. That subject belongs to the people of Rhode
Island, who it must be presumed will correct any and all
errors that may from time to time be found to exist in her
internal affairs.

Mr. MERRIMON.--I think the Senator from Nevada will be unable to
answer that position.

Mr. CARPENTER (Mr. INGALLS in the chair.)--Mr. President-----

Mr. EDMUNDS.--Before the Senator from Wisconsin proceeds with his
remarks, I should like to ask the chairman of the committee
whether he means to include Indians and Canadians? The language
is "every inhabitant of the United States."

Mr. SARGENT.--No, it is qualified further, as the Senator will
see if the whole section is read.

Mr. EDMUNDS.--Not as to the first election.

Mr. SARGENT.--I think myself the section is very inartificially
drawn.

Mr. EDMUNDS.--I do not know but that it is very artificially
drawn, if it is intended to include the Indian and the Canadian.

Mr. SARGENT.--To answer the Senator from Vermont I ask that the
final proviso of the section be read, which qualifies the part he
referred to.

The CHIEF CLERK read as follows:

_Provided, further_, That the right of suffrage and of
hold