Mr. BIDWELL. I will say a word, and then yield to the Gentfrom Tennessee, [Mr. Stokes] I wish to say, in reply to the Gentfrom Ohio, that I had no idea a simple report from the ComAg would reopen the entire question of reconstruction of the southern States. Still I believe that in this manner, by this precise question, the whole question of reconstruction can be settled the question whether a State is or is not entitled to receive lands donated for agricultural colleges. I believe if a State, is entitled to receive that donation at the hands of the government, then that State is entitled to and should be represented in this Congress. By the act of 1862 it was provided that no State then in the condition of rebellion and insurrection against the Government of the U.S. should be entitled to the benefit of this land. Now the question would arise as to the precise point of time when the State ceased to be in rebellion against the U.S.; whether it was the moment Lee surrendered, the moment Johnson surrendered, or any other moment of time since the rebellion began in 1861. That is the question for us to determine. It appears now to be the opinion of Congress that the rebellion has not wholly disappeared. Admitting that its armies have.the uerrillas, a considerable portion of its E. force, not all retired from the occupation of murdering freedmen and Union men. And I hope, Mr. Speaker, this question will be settled precisely in this way: that whenever a State shall be deemed entitled to receive this donation at the hands of the Government, that moment that State shall be entitled to representation in Congress. I believe that is as safe and speedy a mode as any other to determine this question. The act of 1862, further provided that no State shall be entitled to the benefits of this act unless it shall express its acceptance thereof by its Legislature within 2 years from the date of its oby the President. Did any of the southern States which were inrebellion express their acceptance within 2 years of the date of this act? If they did not, then they were not entitled to the benefits of its provisions. The act of 1866, extending the provisions of this same law, made no provision for the States which were not represented in the Congress of the U.S.; and consequently there is no law upon the statute book making provision applicable to the States in rebellion except it may be for the State of Tennessee. It makes no provision for any State not represented, and Tennessee even could not be entitled to the benefits of it because she had not expressed her acceptance. This resolution is for that purpose and no other.