The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-03-19
HOUSE.

Mr.. Broomall, of Pennsylvania, moved
to reconsider the vote referring to the
Judiciary committee bill introduced
by him, on July 18th, 1867, to guarantee
to several States of the Union republi-
can form of government. The bill is as
follows: t-
WHEREAS, The form of government OF
several of the States of this Union is
not republican in this particular, shat
by the Consultation and laws of such
States political rights are made to de.
pend upon parentage and race, and are
united in Gel tain families to the excln-
sion of others, equally loyal citizens OF
the United States and whereas, it is
the constitutional duty of the United
States to guarantee to every State re-
publican form Of government, there
fore CO.. ..r.
BE it enacted, 5c., That all provisions
and enactments in State constitutions
and laws which make distinction in
political and civil rights among the
citizens of the United States, or deny
such rights TO any citizen on account of
parentage, race or color, are hereby de-
clared to he void and of no effect
SECTION 2. Ind be 1t further enacted,
That if any person shall prevent any
qualified citizen of the United States
from exercising the right of suffrage at
any election in any State, under the
pretence that such citizen is disqual-
fled by the constitution and laws of
such State on account of his parentage,
race, lineage or color, such person shall
be deemed guilty of misdemeanor, and
on conviction thereof in proper court,
shall be sentenced to pay fine not ex.
ceeding $1,000 and undergo an impris-
onment not exceeding fiveyears, or both
at the discretion of the court.
Mr.. Broomall spoke in support of the
bill, and political discussion sprung
mp between Messrs. Woodward, Kelly,
Broomall and Others as to whether Penn
sylvania has Republican form of gov
ernment, her constitution containing
the words "white afreemen," thereby
prohibiting negro suffrage.
Messrs. Knott and Woodward subss-
quently spoke against the bill and Mr..
Lawrence (Pa.) in favor.
Mr.. Schenck in his remarks assailed
the position Of the Democracy OH negro
suffrage.
Mr.. Stevens, of Pennsy lvania, made
an argument in favor of universal and
impartial suffrage as the only founda.
ton on which tho government can
stand. He said you must build all your
science of government on that anG
when you attempt to depart fromit you
forget you are man, that you become
q tyrant and you deserve the execra-
tiOns of the human race. There is no
other way but by universal suffrage
in which you and l and every man
can protect ourselves against the in
justice, the inbumanity and the
wrongs which would otherwise
be inflicted on us. We have got to a
point in this motion when we can
adopt that great and glorious principle.
No man dares to say we shall not adopt
1t. HencefOrth let us understand that
universal suffrage operating in the face
of every man, who is to be governed by
votes cast, is one of those doctrines
planted deeper than the granite in
which our fathers laid the foundation
of their immortal work, the work of
universal liberty, which will last just
as long as that immortal doctrine shall
last and no longer.
Mr.. Stevens, having announced his
propositions, asked the Clerk of the
House to read a prepared speech in adj
vocacy of them, which was done.
MIR. Stevens own remarks were de-
ivered with a clearness and strength
of voice not before manifested this SEES
sion. He closed by offering the follow
ing as q substitute for the bill.
BE it enacted, &C., That every male
citizen of the United States above the
age of 81 years, who was born or nat
uralized in the United States, or who
has declared an intention to become
naturalized, shall be entitled to vote on
all national questions that may arise in
any State of the Union where he shall
have resided for the term of 80 days,
and no distinction thai be made be-
tween such citizens on any account, ex-
cept for treason, felony or infamous
crime not below the grade of felony at
common law.
Mr.. Beaman addressed the House in
favor of the bill of which he was speak
ing.
Mr.. Broomall intimated that his in
tentioA was to withdraw his motion to
reconsider and let the bill go to the
Judiciary committee.
Mr.. Spalding also spoke against the
bill, which he regarded as nnconstitu-
tional.
Mr.. Kelley advocated, and Mr.. Kerr
opposed the bill.
Mr.. Broomall withdrew his motion,