Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1870-01-26


days of "flibustering," were beate
in every movement, so that the me
ton prevailed to make the considers
ton of the Amendment the speeds
order from Monday till Thursday a
81, p. M, when a vote was TO be taken
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursda.
were devoted to a discussion of tn
question, and probably every gentle
man who wished to see himself il
print in his county paper, was afford
ed opportunity to relieve his mind o
its burden of State cares, andto ASSURE
his beloved constituents of the ex
IRENE solicitude he felt in regard t.
the welfare of the country. The
House having, on the subject of the
Amendment, agreed to go into a com
mittee of the whole, which mea to
resolve the concern into a free and
easy debating club, speech making
had free scope. Although about two
dozen of speeches were made, ofwhich
number the Democrats made three
fourths, it is not probable that any
member was a particle influenced
thereby, or changed his opinion or
his vote by reason of arguments pro
and con. Yet custom and courtesy
probably required that the farce of a
discussion should be tolerated. As a
German Republican remarked
Every Teller had his mind madeup,
and all this talk was only thrashing
empty straw" The speeches ven of
course in the main rehashes of the
stump oratOry which Illuminated au-
diences at township meetings last fall.
Occasionally a brief extemporaneous
flash lighted up the horizon of dead
words and stale ideas, but no great
light was vouchsafed on the question.
All through the debate the Hobbies
and galleries were thronged withspec-
tators, a large proportion of whom
were eolored persons, who seemed to
watch the progress ofthe debate with
OSSp AHOSAcct- as DSIOlS ODSCANCNs
the Republicans extended to the
Democrats the greater part ofthe time
allotted to debate, in order that they
could not justly complain sufficient
opportunity had not been afforded
them to vent their agony before being
broughfto undergo the ordeal of a
final vote. Notwithstanding this
marked clemency, the Democrats gave
evidence, as the hour of 81 approached
on Thursday afternoon, that they did
not intend a vote should be had if they
could prevent it. The Republicans
were equally resolved MOTTO be driven
from carrying out their pre-determin-
ed purpose to settle the question on
Thursday. When the hour arrived a
motion was made looking to the tax
ing of final action on the question:
This was the signal for an outbreak OF
temper and threats from the Demo-
Gratis, some of whom raved and bullied,
shook their fists and swore they would
stay there all might before a vote should
be taken, unless the contested election
cases were first voted upon. The Re
publicans pushed their point gradual
ly forward in spite of the almost riot
Gus confusion that prevailed. Some
times a dozen of members were COM
peting to be recognized by the chair
and to obtain the floor. The crisis
had been reached and both sides felt
that the fate of a great question was
the prizefo or which they were so warm
" contending. Three-fourths of the
members were upon their feet, and
knots of men Were in anxious con-
ference in q dozen different places
Some of the Democrats threatened
that if the Republicans persisted in
forcing a vote, a row would result
They were invited to open the ball if
they deemed it wise. OF course Their
threats was empty bravado, and only
made in hope of intimidating. Final
Iy after three hours of excited bar
arguing, motions orderly and dis
orderly, calls for order and calls for
the question a Democrat who had the
floor yielded it to allow amOtion to be
put for permission for the committee
to rise. This carried, Parr, Democrat,
vacated the chair, for the Speaker,
The motion to allow the committee to
sit again was lost, and another storm
broke out from the almost furious
Democracy, who then saw where they
had missed their chance to worry the
Republicans all might. The Republic
cans finally concluded to close the
scene by demanding the previous
question, which was sustained, cut
ting off all debate, andzenabling the
main question to be reached at about
fifteen minutes before nine O'Clock
The calling off the yeas and nays was
a moment Of hemostintense interest.
The Republicans knew that a change
of one vote would be fatal to the sue
cess of the Amendment. Mr.. Hill, Of
Hamilton county, held the one only
vote regarded as the least doubtful
When his a was reached, and the
response was a frank ,outspoken ''aye,n
the Republicans felt that the day was
theirs, and could hardly repress an
out6urst ofjoy.. But the voting was
not interrupted by any demonstration
till all had voted, and the Speaker an
nouneed that the vote stood, yeas 81,
nays s., and that "Senate Joint Reso-
luton No. 4 having received a con-
st~itutionaI majOriy, was declared pass
ed.u Then the long pent up feelings
of the crowds in the lobby and gal
aeries broke out in yociferious cheers
from the triumphant Republicans and