Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-02-10


had not learned his Democracy from his inveteratt
enemies, and he would not be instructed by them
now This amendment, he continued, if adopted
. would stand in the way Of peace negotiations and a
reconstruction of the Union. He said he should
strive to uphold and carry out the pledges which he
had made to protect and defend the Constitution
Apart from the question Of power this was not the
time to attempt an amendment Of the Constitution
ii the manner proposed He denied that the result
Of the Presidential election was in favor of abolish
ing Slavery everywhere No such issue was made
up in New-York
The debate having closed, Mr.. ASHLEY, who had
charge Of the subject throughout demanded the
previous question, which was on the motion hereto
fore made by the gentleman to reconsider the vote
of last session, by which the constitutional amend
ment was lost for want of the requisite two-thirds
+ majority.
Mr.. STILES moved that the motion to consider be
laid on the table.
This was decided in the negatiye-yeas, 81 nays
III.
The question was then taken on the motion to re-
consider, and it was decided in the affirmative
yeas III; nays, 81.
4 Mr.. MALLORY raised the question that a vote of
two thirds was requisite to reconsider, but the
Speaker oyerruled the point, saying all motions of
this kind were governed by the rules.
Mr.. MALLORY suggested a postponement Of thevote
until TO morrow, saying that several gentlemen who
wished to record their names were absent. Let the
time for taking the question be fixed so that all
could have fair warning
/ Mr.. ASHLEY replied that it had been universally
understood that the question TO be taken to-day
He had consented to the extension Of the debate
even against the protest of his friends. It came
with very bad grace to ask for postponement Of
the vote, considering the courtesy he had extended
to the other side and the fair notice given.
| Mr.. BRowN (Wis.) asked the gentleman to give
way that he might offer substitute.
! Mr.. ASHLEY said he had one himself, which he
preferred to the senates proposition before the
House.
Mr. EIDRmGE-Why do you not offer it +?
Mr. AsHlEY-Because will not protract the pro-
eeedings.
The question was then taken the adoption Of
the following Senate joint resolution, submitting to
the Legislatures of the several States, proposition
to amend the Constitution of the United States,
BE it resoyced Jg the Senate and Horse Of Rep
reseatatiees Of the United States Of 4naeTicd a.
Congress assembled tco-fhirds Of both Houses con-
curing that the fotoloiag Articles be proposed to
the Legislature Of the several States as aa amend
nent to the Constitution Of the United States cheR
ratified by three foffls Of said Legislatures shaU
e. 11. seoE asstelit4 esas' fss.-aee4fls q part
TIE said Constitution, aamely
ARTICLE 49,
SECTION /. NEITHER SLAVERY NOR IN
VOLUNTARY SERVITUDE EXCEPT as A
PUNISHMENT FOR CRIME, WHEREOF THE
PARTY SHALL HAVE BEEN DULY CoNyIC-
TED, SHALL EXIST WITHIN THE UNITED
STATES. OR ANY PLACE SUBJECT TO |
THEIR JURISDICTION.
SECTION II. CONGRESS sHAEI. HAVE |
POWER TO ENFORCE THIS ARTICLE BY AP-
PRoPRIATE LEGISLATION,
There was much confusion throughout the pro-
ceedings, amid which the Clerk proceeded to call
the roll on the passage of the joint resolution.
The Speaker said ECall my name as member Of
this House.
The name was accordingly called.
When the Speaking answered to the of
SCHUYLER CoLFAx, applause followed his response,
and ao burst out at other parts Of the proceedings
which, however the Speaker checked, and, calling
the House to ORDER said he hoped better example |
would be set to preserve the decorum of the House
Several members on the Democratic side of the |
House said those on the other side noisy as
the persons in the galleries.
Mr.. GAxsox, who voted mo- on the question of
reconsiderng the vote by much the joint resolution
was heretofore lost, now voted AYE, and Messrs
Radford and Steele, of New York, changed their |
votes in the same manner. These changes gave
rise to applause, which was promptly checked.
The utmost interest was manifested throughout
the calling of the roll and there was strict attention
on the part of the members to their responses for
on the previous vote to reconsider two-thirds of the
members present had not voted in the affirmative,
but large majority of the members present carried
that question. It.was therefore somewhat doubtful
whether the pending joint resolution would be pass
ed.
The votes Of Mr. Baldwin Mich and the gentle
men above mentioned, however, gave additional
hopes to the friends of the measure
When the calling of the roll was completed the
Clerk proceeded to read the names first of those
who voted in the affirmative, and next of those who
had voted in the negative. The House now
comparatively silent The resultsof the vote was
noted on a piece of paper and handed by the Clerk
to the Speaker who then announced the passage of
the joint resolution by vote of ll9 yeas against 56
nays
Thereupon rose a general shout Of applause The
members on the floor huzzaedin chorus with deaten-
ing and equally emphatic cheers of the throng IN the
galleries The ladies in the dense assemblage way
ed their handkerchiefs, and again and again the ap
plause was repeated, intermingled with capping OF
hands and exclamations of Hurrah for Freedom =
..Glory enough for one day = &c. The audience
were wildly excited and the friends ofthe measure
iublant Never was a scene of such character
before witnessed in the House of Representatives
certainly not within the last quarter of century
There was extensive Misunderstanding and congratula-
ton in every direction. The proceedings had at
acted thousands Of persons of both sexes, and hav
ing been brought to close those on the floor, who
had been admitted by the favor of the members, and