Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-05-17
SPEHOTTS-

sPEcIoUs.
Upon the introduction, in the House on
the 9th inst, of the Bill from the recon.
struction Committee, Triad STEVENS took
the floor, and delivered one of his ,charac.
teristic speeches in support of the measure.
In answer to certain objections to the third
section of the Bill disfranchising all who
supported the rebellion, until July 1870,
he admitted that the Presidents pardon re-
moved the ineligibility Of the voter and
placed him upon the same ground with
loyal citizens.
This is perhaps one Of the boldest strokes
that reckless fanatic has yet attempted, to
gain the support of the more conservative
portion of the House to measure necessa.
ry to secure the next Presidential election
to the Republicans He makes an admission
that if incorporated in the bill, would take
sway its venom, but which he is shrewd
enough to know cannot be so construed in
it's Interpretation by those to whom IT'S ex-
ecution is to beintrusted, viz: the managers
of elections. He knew full well that
whatever effect be might assert for the
Bill, did not in the least alter its plain and
specific .phraseology. The Speaker, COL
rAx-initiated into the dodge, and looking
forward to the next election to place him
in the Presidential chair-ruled all amend
ments to the Bill as not in order, and thus
left the House to rely upon the assertions
Of STEVENS as to its effect. We do not
remember ever to have seen bolder or moro
successful piece of legislative fraud at
tempted. The amount of lying necessary
to success, did not in the slightest degree
affect the plan. STEVENS knew his game
and won it.
Below is a synopsis of the colloquy upon
the subject .
"Mr. Blaine of Me, called the attention
of Mr.. Stevens and of the House to an OBJ
lection to the third section of the amend
ment which be deemed serious, if not fatal.
That section provided that until the Fourth
Of July, 1870, all persons who voluntarily
adhered to the late insurrection, giving 1t
aid and comfort, shall be excluded from the
right to vote for'RepresentatiVes in Congress
and for electors of President and Vice Presi-
cent IF the United States. 1t appeared to
him that was violation of good faith in
reference to that large class of people in the
South who came within the terms of the
Amnesty Proclamation of President John
SOD, and who were thereby restored to all
their civi! rights. He asked Mr.. Stevens
for an explanation on this point.
Mr.. Stevens admitted that the pardon
extinguished the orime-after pardon there
was no such crime in the individual. Those
who we're fully pardoued did not come with
in the operation of the third section.
Mr.. Blaine understood, then, the gentle
man from Pennsylvania to say that those
who came within the terms of the Proclama'
.ion of Amnesty, would not be considered
as having voluntarily adhered to the late in
surrection
Mr.. Stevens assimilated their condition to
that of person convicted of felony, and
thereby rendered incompetent to testify but
who, if pardoned, aud if his testimony were
challenged, could produce his pardon and
thereby show bis competency.
Mr.. Blaine suggested that if that was the
proper construction to be given the section,
| It should be so amended as that there could
be no question about its construction, and
ne should at the proper time move an
amendment to that effect.
The point made by Mr.. Blaine and virtu-
ally admitted by Mr.. Stevens to be well ta'
ken, seemed to create considerable stir in
the Republican ranks. Members drew near
and listened to the colloquy with great in.
terest, as if recognizing the possibly fatal