Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-05-12
FROM WASHINGTON.

Constitutional Amendment Passed BY
House-Excitement Thereupon-A Applause
on Floor and in Galleries" Niger
heads (" Rebuked- Misses - Request fol
Freedmen to be Allowed to Wave Hand.
kerchiefs- Exuberant Adjournment,
Special to the St. Louis Republican,
WAsHIYGroY, May l0.-The Constitu-
| tionhl Amendment passed the House this
afternoon, with the usual scenes of in
terest and excitement 1t not only
passed without amendment, and just as
| it came from the Reconstruction Com
mittee, but secured large majority over
the requisite two-thirds vote This was
contrary to the anticipations of the most
ardent friends of the amendment 1t
was, in fact, strict party vote, with the
exception of G. G. Smith, of Kentucky,
and Phelps, of Maryland, who voted
with the Democrats against it. There
was, however, sharp exhibition of par
liamentary tactics that should not be
lost sight of When the House was to
be brought to vote, large number OF
Republicans were opposed TO ordering
the main question, and voted with the
Democrats against it. They did so on
the ground that if the main question
was not determined on, there would be
an opportunity to strike out the third
section, which DISTINGUISHES all rebels
till 1870 The retention Of this section
was looked upon by many as being fatal
to the ratification by any Southern State
of the amendment
When q call was completed, IL was
manifest that the opponents of the third
section had carried the motion, and that
the main question had not been ordered,
The Democrats saw the opportunity to
change the result and force the Republi-
cans to vote for or against the amend |
ment as a whole, with the third section |
retained. Thereupon Messrs. Niblack,
Rogers, Kerr and others Democrats
changed their votes to the affirmative,
which carried the motion by FIVE majority,
and forced the House to direct vote on
the main question. There was great
confusion and excitement at this mo-
ment, as nearly two-thirds of the mem
bers we're out Of their seats. The roll.
call was proceeded with, and the Repub-
lcans met the issue and voted solid for
the amendment, with the exception of
the two members already named. When
the name of Mr. Raymond was reached,
he answered, to the great surprise of the
House, in the affirmative. His vote was
warmly spplauded, and the members
rushed around and congratulated him
The result was received with great ap
plause on the floor and in the galleries.
Mr.. Eldridge thereupon arose eXcitedly
and hoped the rules would be enforced so
that the niggerheads as he called The
spectators, could not disturb the House.
He was answered by the spectators with
a storm Of Kisses
Mr.. Rogers, Of New Jersey, thereupou
arose and moved that the freedmen in
the galleries be allowed 10 wave their
handkerchiefs This was received with
mingled applause and Kisses, and added
to the confusion Finally, order was
restored, and in the exuberance of its
feelings, the House adjourned until Mon
day
There seems to be no longer any doubt
of the fact that the Government intends
with the trial of jeff Davis.
The latter and his counsel have been so
officially informed The House Judicial
y Committee, in the meantime, is pur-
suing its investigation into his alleged
in the assassination plot
The Committee hope to be able to report
% the House at an early day. probably
next week
The veto message OF the Colorado bill
las been completed by the President and
will doubtless be sent to the Senate to-
morrow. 1t is believed that the principal
ground of objection TO the bill is the in
population of the Territory to
orm a State II seems to be regarded
Is quite certain that this veto will be at
east sustained.
Both Houses have finally passed bill
ewing duty of twenty per cent ad
alorem on all cattle beeves and sheep
imported into the United States. Ii will
re sent to the President for his signature
o-morrow The principal object Of the
ill is TO prevent the Canadians from
INNING sheep across the line, shearing
fl their wool on American soil and then
unning them back again, SOFAS to avoid
be tariff on wool.
A poor deposition who had $500 in the
ecently exploded Merchants National
,ank followed the President into the in
titution to-day and threatened TO kill
i'm if he did not pay him. The Presi
ent handed over the money