Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-02-01
The Admission of Virginia.
The House Passes tie Senate Jy 1876 to
57-Biagtam and Farnsporth pitch into
Butler.


57-Bmghan. and Farnsporai pitch into
Butler.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-This afternoon
Mr.. Farnsworth moved to pass over all busi>
ness for the purpose of concurring IN the
Senate amendments to the House bill for the
admission of Virginia.
This was agreed to, the Democrats voting
in the negative.
Mr.. Farnsworth moved concurrence. al
though he thought the amendments would do
no good, but he was opposed to keeping the
State longer without representation IN Con-
gress.
Mr.. Bingham then addressed the House,
and was listened to with the greatest attention,
his desk being surrounded by members. He
said it would be borne on the journal of the
House that more than.thre c to one GIFTS mem
bers declared for unconditional admission
That vote would commend itself to the APP
proval of the country. He made nc, apology
for the position he had assumed, and now
reiterated that Congress had no power to
exact fundamental conditions on the admission
of State.
He pronounced the constitution more liberal
than any west of the Alleghanies. If he
thought under this bill Virginia Was to be
subject to conditions which might not be
imposed on New York or Ohio, he would
refuse to vote for it. Abiding to gentlemen
Oh his side of the House, Mr.. Bingham was
met with the inquiry from Mr.. Butler
(Which side of the House is that Z"
Mr.. Bingham ndignantly).-The gen.
tlemen is very wise-wise beyond his years
He cannot read me out of the party with which
l am associated, nor can he blot out my record.
Vulgarity is. not wit, and assumption is not
power. There was no occasion fer the
enquiry,
ga wits a feather and fool rod,
An honest mans the nUblcst work of Gcd."
,TLaughter and manifestations of excite
ment.
Mr. Butler said he never intended to read
Mr.. Bingham out of the party. He knew
not whether he was to have ovation in
Virginia but if so, he would like to see
Virginians toasting the man whom all their
papers denounced as the murderer of Mrs.
! Surratt More excitement Mr.. Butler
referred to Mr. Bingham's eulogy on the Vir-
| gina constitution, saying it was not the work
| of Virginia statesmen, but of carpet baggers,
| scalawags, and negroes from the fields. He
regarded the conditions of the bill as a notice
! that if the State did not maintain the spirit
of the reconstruction acts, Congress would
put her back where she had been.
Mr. Farnsworth then took the floor and,
| abiding to the remarks made by Mr.. Butler
regarding the action of the chairman of the
Reconstruction Committee, said he would not
be instructed in Republican House by But
Ter; and compared his own record with that
| of B., saying, among other pungcnt declara-
tions. that Buffers desertion from his masters
was SO recent that he was forced like Peter
when he deserted his Master. to curse and swear
- oI,o beli hiS de laratiOn nuinn
| He reminded the House that Butler had OPP
posed every movement for the admission Of
| Virginia, and that on the last occasion, two
days before the recess. he stated that more
testimony was wanted by the Reconstruction
| Committee.
| In reply to this Butler remarked that the
evidence wanted by him was as to the ratif-
cation of the fifteenth amendment.
Mr. Farnsworth.-Th is most remarkable.
For three days before that, tho Secretary of
! State had notified Congress of Virginia's rat
ification of the Fifteenth Amendment
| (Laughter.) 1t was the gentleman from
| Massachusetts who had barred the door
against Virginia. and would bar it to day. but
that he knew it to- be evident that the bill
would pass in spite of his opposition.
In conclusion Mr.. Farnsworth said, if he
| thought the House would not concur and re-
| fer the matter to committee of conference,
| he would vote to nor. concur. but as he was
satisfied that the House would not, he would
| vote to concur.
Messrs Cox, Morgan and other Democrats
spoke, all taking the same ground as the Dem
ocrats in the Senate and refused to vote for
| the bill.
The vote on concurrence was of a strictly
party character, resulting, ayes, 1856, nays 81.
|