Which clause regarding debts was included in the draft of the 1868 constitution but rejected by Congress?

The first clause, which is a prohibition against imprisonment for debt, was included in the draft of the 1868 constitution and is significant in that it reflects a humanitarian approach to individuals facing financial difficulties during that period. This clause aimed to protect citizens from the harsh consequences of failing to repay debts, emphasizing that no person should be imprisoned simply for their inability to pay what they owe.

This context is crucial when examining why this clause might have been rejected by Congress. At the time, there was considerable tension about the financial responsibilities of individuals and states in the post-Civil War era. The rejection signifies a broader struggle between protecting individual rights and the need to ensure fiscal responsibility.

In contrast, other options like the liability for debts contracted after 1865 focus on the accountability for financial obligations, which may have been viewed differently by Congress. Standard taxation for all citizens and a moratorium on state debts deal with broader economic policies that might involve a different set of considerations during the ratification process.

Therefore, the prohibition against imprisonment for debt stands out as a key aspect of individual rights that Congress ultimately did not endorse, reflecting the prevailing attitudes and pressures of that historical moment.