The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-01-26
Impartial Suffrage in the District
of Columbia.
The Bill Passed the House.
AN EXCITING SCENE.
Perley's dispatch to the Journal


WASHINGTON, Jan. Is, 1866.
This has been what is called field day
at the capitol, and the Union men, with
unbroken front, have achieved another
victory over caste and prejudice, taking
the most advanced ground, regardless OF
executive favor, or in some cases, OF per-
sonal predictions.
The senate was the scene OF an ami
mated discussion between Senators Wade
and Stewart, in which the bluff old Ohio
champion got the better of the less expo
rienced but more excitable gentleman from
Nevada. At any other time their speech
es would have attracted crowds to the gal
leries, but to-day the house was the at
tractive arena of debate. There were
many distinguished gentlemen on the floor,
and the galleries were literally packed, a
decided majority Of the spectators being
colored people, many of them wearing the
uniforms in which they had fought for the
Union.
The real question, somewhat tied up by
parliamentary red tape in the shape of
amendments, was whether congress would
strike the word white from the laws regu-
lating elections in this district, or whether
blacks might vote under certain qualifica-
tons and restrictions
Sidney Clark of Kansas advocated uni
versal suffrage, and then Philip johnson,
who represents mineral district in Penn
sylvania, denounced it in true democratic
style. The house was evidently caring
little about what they said, and groups of
the leading members were in the cloak
rooms discussing what was right or expe-
dent or proper. No one seemed to know
what to do, or what was to be done, and
there was much confusion until after Mr..
johnson sat down.
The cry ran around the house, "Gov.
Boutwell, is going to speak" This was
unexpected.
When Gov Boutwell, of Mass. rose and
was recognized by the speaker, the house
was at once hushed and members clustered
around him.
Gov. Boutwell, spoke without notes, and
in an earnest and eloquent manner which
secured him undivided attention. When
he had concluded it was evident that the
debate was closed, and the voting was
commenced.
First, Mr. Niblack of Indiana moved to
lay the whole subject upon the table,
which was lost by Il vote of 4G to l23.
Then Mr. Darling, who is New York
Raymond politician, moved 10 postpone
the consideration OF the bill until the first
Tuesday of March next. and this was dis
agreed to Ivy a vote of "a against 1874
Mr. IaIe's amendments. which Gov.
Boutwell, had squelched, came next, and
after the house, on motion of General
Schcnck. had stricken out the qualiiica-
ton clause, a vote waS taken rs TO wheth-
er the bill should be rccommtted to the
committee on the Judiciary, with ir>truc-
tioIS first, to include those irrespective of
caste or color who ran read secondly,
those who have served in and been honor
ably discharged from the service of the
United States, and then to exclude from
the right of suffrage those who have been
in arms against the United States.
AT least perhaps a majority of the Tn
ion members of the house were in favor of
the amendments. and among those who
voted for recommittlng the bill. TO be re-
ported with them, were MeSsrs Banks.
Dawes, Hooper, Rice and Wa>hburn OF
Massachusetts, Dixon and ,Jenkcs of
Rhode Island, Brandagec and Ferry of
Connecticut, Woodbridge of Vermont,
Gov. Raymond and quite number of
New Workers, and Gen. Schenck. with
several western men. But number of
democrats voted against them. and they
were lost by a vote of 53 against III.
Then came the vote on the bill propos-
ed, which provides that from all laws pro-
hibiting the qualifications of voters in the
District of Columbia the word white is to
be stricken out, and that hereafter no per-
son shall be disqualified from voting at
any election in the district Oh account of
color.
The vote was taken, and New England
voted solid for the bill, with nearly every
other Union man The democrats voting
square against it. The vote as declared
was JIG to 54-more than two-thirlS
vote.
Meanwhile the crowded galleries had
looked on with almost breathlcss interest,
and when the vote was declared the spec
tatorS, and principally the blacks, were
enthusiastic in their demonstrations.
There was also applause OH the floor which
the speaker checked.
1t is not thought that the senate will
pass this bill, but will substitute that re-
ported in that body by Senator Morrill,.
which is equally ''unqualited,' but has
more of the requisite machinery of lesisla-
ton. The house will unquestionably con-
cur, and then it will be seen whether An
drew johnson will 81 on or veto it, Those
who should know say that he will sign it.
In NUTsHELI.-The Knoxville Wing
nutS the whole fhinu -, n ,,utrIou ,,.l,o,,