The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-27


sd vised Judge Kelley against delivering IL, |
giving as reason that 1t would inj dre the |
party, defeat Mr.. Kelley in mis- district, and &C
complish nothing II viii be remembered that
President Lincoln neither signed nor vetoed
this measure, but put 1t In his pocket, aud al
lowed IL to become law by the expiration o.
the constitutional ten days. This conduct on
his part gave rise TO the celebrated Wade-Davis
manifesto, a document which embodied the
real sentiments OF the great leaders of the party
at that time.
The First Suffrage Amendment.
Judge Bingham, OF Ohio, is entitled to the
credit OF having introduced the first joint reso
Eution proposing an amendment to the Consti-
tuition OF the United States relative to suffrage.
That was in 1866 1t was as follows:-
"Article -. The Congress shall have power to
make all laws which shall be necessary and
proper 10 secure the citizens OF each state all
privileges and immunities OF cltizens in the
several States equal protection In the rights OF
life, liberty, and property"
In looking over the debate on this amend
ment, 1t is curious to note the large accessions
made 10 the ranks of the advocates Of uuiver
sal suffrage. But even then they were not
numerous enough to secure the success OF the
measure in Congress. Still there was more than
one man willing to take the position occupied
by Judge Kelley in the early part of 1865, and
60 before the people with 1T as living Issue.
The tone Of the debate shows that the great OBJ
stacle to Its success was the fear OF the poliu
clans to trust the people. That was the great
trouble with President Lincoln. Nothing per-
haps so completely illustrates the fact that the
people are, after ALL the rulers in this country
as the history OF this measure. 1t may be safely
asserted, however, that In this, as in everything
else, the people have been far in advance OF
their leaders:
The Amendments Now Before Congress
Since the intro, uction OF Judge Binghams
amendment, various attempts have been made
to secure the passage by Congress Of some
measure by which the right of suffrage would
be extended to all the male inhabitants of the
United States over twenty.one years of age.
The most prominent Of these owed their origin
| to the late Thaddeus Stevens. He entertained
the opinion that Congress had full power to
regulate the question of suffrage in all the
States, and hence his propositions took the
| form OF bills instead OF joint resolutions pro-
| posing an amendment to the Constitution
| This was, and still is, believed to be bath I'M
! polite and impracticable by a large majority
| Of the Republican party and even, with SO able
an advocate as Mr.. Stevens, never obtained
| much support. suhjoin q list of the amend
ments and bills introduced on this subject
| during the present session.
| BY SENATOR THAYER, OF NEBRASKA.
| Joint Resolution proposing an Amendment 10
the Constitution OF the United States in favor
ofManhood Suffrage.
Resolved, By the Senate and House of Repre-
| sentatives OF the United States of America in
Congress assembled (two-thirds of both houses
cuncurring), That the following article be pro-
posed TO the Legislatures OF the several States
as an amendment TO the Constitution OF the
fourths OF said Legislatures, shall be valid as
part OF the Constitution. viz.:-No male citizen
and upwards not insane or an idiot, shall be
deprived OF the right to vote at any election
held by the people for national, State, and mu-
nicipal officers, or for representatives in Con-
! gress, unless guilty CT crime Of which he has
| been duly convicted by law.
BY MR.. KELLEY, OF PENNSYLVANIA,
! Joint resolution proposing an amendment TO
the Constitution of the United States.
Be 10 resolved by the Senate and House OF
o 5ns Sn1e1 saTes Sre OF m AH me
! houses cOncuuing) That the following article
be proposed to the Legislatures of the several
! States as an amendment to the Constitution of
The United States, which, when ratified by
three-fourths of said Legislatures, shall be valid
as part of said Constitution, namely
Article -. No State shall deny 10 or exclude
from the exercise of any of the rights or prlvl-
! leges of an elector any citizen of the United
States by reason OF race or color.
BY MR. STOKES, OF TENN.
Joint resolution proposing an amendment TO
the Constitution of the United states.
Representatives, OF the United States OF
America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of
both houses S C0nSqrrng II f. That the olOwipg
several States as an amendment TO the Con-
stii1li9n of the United States, which, when
shall be valid as part OF the Constitution,
Article XIV, Section l. No State shall make or
| enforce any law which shall deprive any cltl
zen Of the right of the elective franchise ON
account OF race or color.
BY hR. MAYNARD, OF TENN.
Joint resolution proposing an amendment to
the Constitution of the United States.
Be 1t resolved by the Senate and House of
RIGA in Congress assembled Uwothirds of both
Houses concurrlng), That the following article
be proposed to the Legislatures OF the several
States as an amendment TO the Constitution of
the United States which, when ratified by
three-ourthH OF said Legislatures, shall be valid
as part Of the Constitution, namely;L
| Article XIV. No person born within the juris.
dlction OF the United States, and in allegiance
| thereto shall. by reason OF race color, or pre-
vious condition, be denied the privilege OF
voting as an elector In any election whatever,
general or local.
BY MR.. JAMES NJ. ASHLEY OF OHIO.
Joint resolution proposing an amendment TO
the Constitution of the United States.
Be II resolved by the Senate and House of
Representatives OF the United States ofAmeri-
ca in Congress assembled (two-Uhrds Of both
| houses concurring, That the following article
be proposed TO the legislatures OF the several
States as an amendment to the Constitution
of the United States, which, when ratified by
three. fourths of said legislatures shall be valid
as part of the national Constitution, namely
Amend article fourteen proposed by the
| Thirty.ninth Congress- by striking out section
| two and inserting the follOWing:-
Section z Every citizen OF the United States
| twenty one years OF age and upward Except
| Indians not taxed and persons non compost
| shall be an eleCiOr In any State or TerritorY in
when ne may nave resided one year next pre-
| ceding the election at which he shall offer to
| vote. Each State shall prescribe uniform rule
for the registration of all qualified electors
| residing therein, and complete the enroImen3 n3
| ut fIaag N nh