Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-05-29
CONGRESSIONAL.
CONGRESSIONAL.
Senate Passes Bill to Give Fort
Houston to Fisk University.
A Days Debate ON Woman Suf-
frage.
The Republican Party Pledged
to 1t.
Morton and Other Lights nlumine
the Subject. -
The House RENTS the Currency
Bill to a Conference ID
Committee.
Lengthy Debate on Army Re-
ductiOn.
Lengthy Debate on Army Re-
ductiOn.

Lengthy Debate on Army Re-
duetiOn.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, May 2S.-Mr. Ferry, OF
Michigan, called up Senate bill to set apart
certain portion of the Island of Mackinaw,
in the Straits of Mackinaw, as national
park.
Fisk University.
Mr.. Sprague called upthe bill to confirm
the purchase of a portion of the site Of Fort
Houston, at Nashville, Tenn, and to pro-
vide for its donation to Fisk University for
educational purposes. Passed.
The Quinine Tree
Mr.. Scott presented a memorial of the
American Medical Association, asking for
the appointment Of committee of scien-
tific men to take action in regard to the
cultivation of the cinchona tree in the
United States. Referred.
The Alabama Contest
The morning hour having expired, the
Senate resumed consideration of the Ala
bama contested election case of Sykes vs..
Spencer. The question being on the reso-
luton of Mr.. Hamilton, of Maryland, to
award the seat to Sykes, it was rejected by
yeas II, nays 33-a strict party vote.
On motion of Mr. Morton the Commit
tee on Privileges and Elections were dis
charged from further consideration of the
subject. So Mr.. Spencer, the present in
cumbent, retains his seat.
Woman Suffrage.
Mr.. Boreman called up the Senate bill to
establish the Territory of Pembina and to
provide temporary governments therefor.
Mr.. Sargent moved to amend the bill so
that the right to vote or hold office in the
Territory should not be restricted on ac-
count of race, co,Or or sex. He believed
the amendment was not only justified but
was required by the organic law of tie
United States. Numerous petitions had
been presented TO Congress for this right to
females, and the only notice taken of them
was to report adversely. The Republican
party was to a certain extent pledged to ex-
tend the suffrage TO females in the terri
tories. To confer upon women the right of
suffrage would be TO open wide avenues for
them and the advancement of society.
Give them an opportunity through the bal
lot box and they will break up the
NefariOus Practices
now existing and purify society. The
spirit Of the Constitution should be car
ried out and women be allowed to vote.
Mr.. Stewart favored the amendment.
Mr.. Morton said he was in favor of the
on what he urged as the funda-
mental principles of our Government. The
Declaration of Independence said all men
are created free and equal. The word
s.men" did not mean males, it meant the
whole human family. The women of this
country had never given their consent to
this Government within the theory of the
Declaration of Independence. The old
law argument was that the hus-
band took care of the interest of the wife,
the father, those of the daughter, and the
son, those Of the mother; but under
The Common Law
the husband was a tyrant and a despot.
This old doctrine had been overcome, and
women could hold property now. He be
lieved women had the same natural right
to a voice in this Government man had. To
give women the right of suffrage would
elevate the suffrage in this country. Fifty
years ago it was thought to be beyond all
reason for women to attend political meet
ings. Now they went to such places, and
the result was to improve the character of
these assemblages. Their presence insured
peace.
Mr.. Flanagan said he was a new convert
to the cause of woman suffrage, and was
made convert by the glorious efforts OF
the wOmen's crusade against intemperance.
Women, and only women, through Al
mighty God, could save this country from
the worst of al evils-intemperance.
Women could cOrtrol the cOuntry-men
could not. They were more directly in
terested in all questions of morality than
men, and from this time he intended to be
"a wOman's Man."
Mr.. MerrimOn said he did not yield in
his admiration Of woman, and by no act or
word of his would he detract from her dig
nifty, but he claimed the right to be judge
together with her as to what means were
best calculated to promote her interests.
He did not believe woman herself thought
her happiness or dignity would be advanced
by having all the political rights of man
conferred upon her, and the strongest evil
dence of this fact was that neither in this
country nor England had women demanded
such rights. The number that had de-
manded them, compared with the number
that had not, was
Only n Drop I'm the ocean.
He diSsented, with all respect, from the
revolutionary construction which the Sena-
tor from Indiana (AIorton) had put upon
tie Declaration Of independence, and de-
MED that it meant females as well as males.
Women had consented to this Government,
because they had never raised their voices
in opposition to it, and they had always the
right to menorialize Congress, as well as
the State governments, if they thought their
rights were rest! c ed.
Mr.. Stewart said ten years hence there
would not be man in the Senate opposed
to female suffrage.
Mr.. Merrimon asked why not try the ex-
pertinent in the
District of Columbia.
Mr.. Sargent-We will, when we get
chance.
Mr.. Conkling said an amendment was in
order to this very bill TO enforce woman
suffrage in the district of Columbia. If his
friend Stewart desired to try an experiment
in new Territory, why not try it as an ex-
pertinent here? The Senator from Nevada
(Stewart) ought not to finch, ifhe (Conk-
hng) could not follow him.
Mr.. Stewart-I would only ask the Sen
atOr to follow me in this only a little step
TO have woman suffrage in a new Territory.
If he broke down, then he would never
ask him to follow again.
Salary for Sykes.
Mr.. Hamilton, of Maryland, submitted a
resolution providing that F, w. Sykes, the
late contestant for the seat held by G. Z.
Spencer, as Senator from Alabama, be a.
lowed the salary of Senator from the 4th
of March, 1873, to May l, 1874, and mile
age each way. Referred.
NJ, Cor,,o,,tar ea;1 l,a Mould x-ofa for fba