The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-10-24

the abolitionists were opposed, could be east
On the second day of the session of the
general assembly, the Sd day of January.
1865, Mr.. Wike, democratic member from
Pike county, submitted the following resolu-
| ton; we quote from the house journal, the
official record, page IL:
| Resolred, That the committee on judiciary be,
| and they hereby instructed among their hrst
| acts when appointed, to report TO TINS mouse
proposition to amend article slrth OF the CON
sttution OF this state that the soldiers OF the state
| in the field NAV be entitled to vote az all cleo
tons held in said state, said amendment 10 De
submitted TO the people OF said state as PROVIDED
/ by the constitution OF Illinois.
This prompt and early action of the dem
| ooratic party shows their real attachment 10
! the soldier aud their eager and anxious de-
sire to amend the constitution OF our state, so
I as to enable the soldiers 10 vote. lu what
| spirit was it met BY these pretended and
"loyaP friends OF the soldier! One might
suppose it would have received the cordial
cooperation of the republican majority. Not
hit OF it. Notwithstanding their clamors
for the suffrage of the soldiers, the resolution
of Mr.. Wike was met by Mr.. Burchsrd, the
leading member in the house OF the abolition
lists, with proposition TO amend 1t rs fol-
| lows:
Strike out the words s'report to this house a
]
in lieu thereof, the words, ''inquire whether
whether it is necessary"
This attempt on the part of the abolition
majority TO kill the proposition OF the demo
! cratic members, was seconded by Mr.. Noble,
| (another leading abolition member) who
submitted the following as a substitute for
the original resolution and amendment. viz
Resolred That the judiciary committee be in
structed to present at al early day bill tor a Law
] uPn vln fpF TAX he nj All d
| Illinois in the field, provided such law can be
/ framed in accordance with the constitution OF the
state.
Whereu2on Mr. Wike. in order TO urge
forward the measure, so as 70 secure 10 the
soldier the right to vote at the earliest prac-
tcabe moment, submitted the following pro
viso TO the substitute of Dir, Noble:
Provided that in the event said committee shall
be OF the opinion that such a bill would Re I'M
constitutional, then that said committee report To
this house proposition so to amend saIo constI-
tuition that such soldiers shall be entitled to vote
the field such amendment to be suOmttse to
the people az provided ny the constitution Of Ili-
Further action upon this matter was pre-
vented on the day in question by the inter-
vention of other business, but on the 18th
day Of January, 1865 (see house journal,
page 2l6, } the democracy took action.
On that day Mr.. Wike, democrat still
persistent in his effort to secure the right of
voting to the soldier, moved the suspension
Of the rules Of thu house, in order to submit
the following resolutions, viz:
WHEREAS, It's the desire OF the members of
the twentv.fourth general assembly that the ex-
ercisc of the right of suffrage by the gallant sons
of Illinois, now III the army and'uavy of the Tn
tied States, now suspended by temporary absense
from their homes, may be secured to them at a.
early period possible; and
WHEREAS. Also it Is the opinion and judgment
of the members of the general assembly, that it,
action in the premises should be in accordance
with the state constitution, because the iunda-
mental law should be respected, and because
otherwise such action would be null and void
keeping the word OF promise the ear, and
breaking is the -avt OF the defenders o: their
country; he il therefore
RcSOined, That the supreme court Of Illinois,
the highest judicial tribunal of the state be res
pecttuliy requested - answer the following
mterO"atOry: Whether under the constitution
OF the state. law can he lawfully enacted pro-
vidug for the exercise of the right of suffrage
hy any citizen al Illinois, when without the Inn
its of the district or county in which he snail
have his residence at the time of such election
And that such opinion be requested to be given
WITHIN, ten DAYS hereafter, and all further pro
ceediugs in the passage of laws for the desigua-
ted purpose he suspended until such opinion be
received, and that the clerk OF the house trans
NIT copy hereof to each OF the judges of said
court
It will be understood that the supreme
court, being the hI CHEST Judicial tribunal IN
our state, WAS the only competent authority
tn decide definitely the constitutional question
involved in tue measure. The proposition
therefore made - refer the question to the
court NJ once. 60 whom it must ultimately be
referred, Indicate. the earnest anxiety of the
democratic party 70 get Il law which should
NOT he liable TO constitutional objection. IL
that court decided that "a law could be pass
ed extending the right OF suffrage to soldiers
in the field, and that the terms Of the cOnsti
tutiODal provision saying mo person shall
vote except IN the district or cnanty IN which
he shall actually reside" did no: apply 20
the soldier IN tue iseid, such decieIon would
he conclusive aud law might be passed to
that effect Immediately. II. on tue other
hand, the constitutional provision imperative
" pgeciuded such Jaw. then the amendment .
ct the constitution was inevitable ami the
the matter OF modification could be- presented
at once 20 the people. The propriety Of the
action al the democratic minority cannot no
questioned. Bat strange TO say, the house
refused TO suspend she rules, forty-six repub I.
IGRns voting against SUSPENSION, and all the /.
democratic members, thirty in number voted .
to suspend order that the opinion Of the .
supreme court might be obtained OF course .
this vote killed the proposition.
But the democracy. true TO the real inter /
est OF the soldier, were not to be disnaye be- /
Cause Of the failure OF this effort. Ca the !
lytn dav of January 4 1865, tsee house journal !
page 266 the Interpd and gallant Wike re-
uewed his effort. He submitted the same
preamble and resolution as en- original prop
osltion, and asked upon it the ac.lon of the