The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-02-26

hoi" tiiohuty chat. Iho OoHo0l Fdtlfe
declare that he promised to
stand by the Democrats if the latter
would flibuster the bill to death. At
4:3o P. NJ. recess was taken till evening.
At the evening session an understand.
ing was arrived at that vote should be
taken at IL o'clock tomorrow, but that
debate should be continued tonight in
fifteen minute speeches.. A majority of
twenty is claimed for the bill.
February 19.
The Reconstruction bill, known as
the Senate Sherman Compromise Militia
ay-Goverhment- Negro Suffrage measure,
has been vibrating between the two houses
of Congress during to-day and this
evening, The House met an hour earlier
this morning, and promptly proceeded to
takea vote. The interest and excitement
were as great as on yesterday. The gal
leries were as crowded, and the floor was
full. There were even one hundred and
seventy one Members in attendance. The
roll-call proceeded pretty evenly until
towards the close, when it was evident
that there was decided majority against
it. The Democrats, or opposition men
threw their votes solid against it, with
the single exception of General Rous-
seau, of Kentucky, who voted for it,
Messrs. Cooper, Bergen, Leftwith, Tay-
lor, of New York, and one or two others
however, did not answer when their names
were called, but, before the result was
announced. voted against it. This made
forty-one votes, to which were added fiji
ty seven Radical Republican votes thus
defeating the bill by majority Of TWEEN
ty-fve. Seventy two Republican votes
one opposition (Rousseau) we're thrown
in its favor. The result was received with
surprise, but in dead silence. The bill
was Immediately sent across the Capitol
to the Senate and quickly taken up in that
body. The parliamentary question there
was on ordering conference committee
on the disagreement between the two
Houses. This met with general oppo-
sition, except from Sumner and Fessen,
den. The latter was personally attacked
by Howard and Wade for deserting his
post on Saturday night on the passage Of
the bill. Fessenden bitterly replied; ac,
eused Howard Of clarifying himself, and
sharply told Wade that he did uot pro.
pose to be rebuked or abused by him.
The wrangle was racy and amusing, and
was but duplication of republican har.
mon exhibited ON the same question in
the House. Senator Cowan made a hu-
moreus and telling speech, and oppor-
tunely took up document which had
Just come into the Senate, in answer tc
its own resolution, from various heads oi
departments, showing how absurd were
the stories of outrages in the South, or
freedmen and so-called loyalists. The
Senate then pre- forma refused confer.
encs, and sent the bill back to the House
with message that it insisted on it. Il
was not until 9 o'clock this evening thai
the question again came up in the House
Blaine, Of Maine, leading of,while Thad
Stevens joined the Democrats in opposing
the consideration Of the bill. They were
however, voted down. The bill being
before the House, Wilson, of Iowa, off
cred an amendment, to please some O.
the extreme Ranicals, providing that ne
person disfranehised by the pending con
stitutional amendment should be electec
as delegate, or a vote for delegate tc
the conventions to be organized undel
this bill. 1t is said that this will secure
for it votes enough to pass it. The Dem
ocrats, however, at 10 P. NJ, commenced
to resort to parliamentary tactics to de
feat the bill.
IL P. M. the Republicans proposed a
this hour that the vote should be takel
at IL clock morrow. The Democrat
having thus gained their point an ad
journment Immediately followed.
The President is thus afforded an op
portunity to pocket the bill.