The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1872-05-30
VOLUME "a.
r1Rn AItllnsTY nlY.L.

Il
TnH AltNDsTY 1ll.L.
The Amnesty Bill passed by Con-
| gress on tho 22d inst. removes the iis-s
abilities on account Of treason from
thousands, excepting only such men as
Jefferson Davis, John G. Breckenridge
and others. The number not included
| in this bill of the late rebels will not
probably exceed two hundred. This
is going further than we have ever
favored. We cannot say we approve
Of it and think time will demonstrate
that it is error. It Is wonderful, how
ever, that Mr.. Schurx was again absent
from the Senate when the bill was act
ed upon. This Is the third time this
session this question has been voted
upon, and each time has Schurz lodged
1t. .Am,estyl Anueesty! has been the
cry Of Schurz for tho past three years !;
it is the chief plank in tho Cincinnati
platform; twas to be Schurz stock in
trade in the coming campaign; it
suited his rebel followers In Missouri,
but when, in accordance with the re-
commendation of the President in his
Message Of December, amnesty was.
to be given to thousands, excepting ON
ly the chiefest among rebels, Schurz
vote could not be had for that purpose.
He is like the spoiled child that frcts
for toy, which, when presented, the
child lefMscs. We publish below
short record from the proceedings in
the House which shows that democrats
there fretted greatly over giving
Grant chance to sign the bill:
The Speaker presented the House
amnesty bill Of the 18th Of MAY, with
the Endorsements of its passage by the
Senate by the requisite two-thirls vote.
He directed the bill to be read in full,
because the question was raised
whether il required the approval Of the
President.
Mr.. Bingham contcndcd that it did,
and a coiloquy cnsucd between the
Speaker and members.
Tho Speaker finally stated that he
was informed by the clerk that all ana,
nesty bills heretofore passed were sent
to the President for his signature.
Mr.. Randall inquired how the mat
ter would stand ii the President should
not sign the bill.
The Speaker. That is a question
for Congress, not for the chair. 1t is
the duty of the chair to follow the pre-
cedcnts and practices of the House. II
is purely ministerial duty on his part,
and does not involve any constitutions
al question.
Mr.. Randall. / have not the least
objection, if ii will crafty the Republic
can party that the President shall sign
the amnesty bill at this eleventh hour.
Mr.. Bingham. Especially after the
Presidents recommending the amncs-
ty IN his message.
Mr.. Beck. desire to submit res
olution OH that point.
The Speaker declined to entertain il.
Mr.. Beck. BY what authority docs
tho Bi,ossh.p sand the L;as 60 tnc l'resl-
dent?
Mr.. Speaker. Because all other like
bills have been sent to him. The clerk
informs the chair that the practice has
been usual and universal.
Mr.. Beck. That may be SO.
Mr.. Speaker. Then why should the
chair assume to change the practice of
the House.
Mr.. Beck. Why not let the House
express its opinion on that point?
Mr.. Speaker. Ifnnanimous consent
be given the chair will submit the
question.
Mr.. Bingham. ! object.
Mr.. Speaker. Then the chair cannot
entertain it as question Of privilege.
Mr.. Cox. l rise to parliamentary
question. would like, if possible, to
avoid complications in this natter
| Suppose the President should retain
this bill for ten days, until both houses
shall have adjourned, what effect would
it have on the law?
| Speaker. That is not parliamen-
tary point. 1t is not for the Speaker of
the House to answer questions as to the
probable course of the President of the
United States.
| Mr.. Cox. l want to avoid trouble
in this matter.
Speaker. There will not be any.
Mr.. Cox. / want amnesty adopted.
Mr.. Randall moved that Mr.. Rogers
of North Carolina, member elect,
whose disabilities are removed by this
bill, be sworn in.
The Speaker stated that that brought
up the same question in different
shape, and he declined to entertain the
motion.
Mr.. Dawes expressed regret that all
the anxiety for amnesty seemed to be
changed into solicitude lest the Prcsi-
dent should approve the bill.
Mr.. Randall. There is no such issue
at all.
The Speaker repeated that the prece-
dents had been to send such bills to the
President, and he would therefore wait
to swear in Mr.. Rogers, until the bill
was signed. He would give it as his
opinion, however, that the House
would not have to wait very long.