New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-11

der what rule9 This bill is not q report of
q committee, and, therefore, there is NO
debate allowed the previous question being
seconded.
Mr.. Blaine insisted on the same point,
and said that the rule as to allowing an
hour for debate after the previous question
applied only to reports from committees.
The previous question in this case cuts OF
absolutely every moment of debate.
Mr.. Randall-Does that side of the House
object to debate9
Mr. Blaine-It does not, nor does this
side of the House desire any unreasonable
time for debate, although as Congress has
been in session five weeks, and as the ses-
sions Of the House have averaged only
about two days per week, it might be con-
sidered that an hour or two of debate would
not be too much to allow on bill of this
kind.
Mr.. Randall, persistently VI want to know
if anybody on that side of the House OBJ
iects to debate.
Mr.. Hale, of Maiae-No, sir; but We want
debate and amendment both.
Mr.. Garfield-We want consideration Of
the subject, which means debate and amend
ment
Mr.. Randall propose that we give an
hours consideration to it.
Mr.. Garfield, sneeringly-Aye, consider
alton without amendment.
Mr.. Blaine-I told the gentleman (Mr.
Randall) in good faith that it was abso-
iutely impossible for him to pass his bill
under that kind of tactics. The vote on tho
previous question has revealed the fact that
considerable more than one-third of tho
House objects to the bill going through IN
der gag.
Mr.. Randall do not propose to push it
| through under q gag. On the contrary
| propose to put it through after debate. If
| that side of the House objects to debate, it
will be itself nesponsible for there being NO
| debate. 1t is for that side of the House to
say whether there shall be debate or not
Mr.. Blaine-The gentleman from Pennsyl-
| vania knows that Mr.. Benton left on record
the saying that the very essence OF legis!a-
tive power is amendment, and the gentle
man from Pennsy lvania confesses the weak
ness of his cause when he attempts to de-
prive the minority of the House OF the par
lianentary right to offer amendment.
Mr.. Randall, tauntingly-I am glad that
you see light, for during many years you
were blind to such consideration. Laughter
on the Democratic side and in the galleries.
Mr.. Blaine, defantly-The gentleman
will search the Globe for the last twelve
| wears in vain for case where q bill of this
magnitude was attempted to be put through
without discussion and amendment. Never
| sir! defy him to give an instance.
Mr.. Randall-Was not this very bill
passed last year under the previous ques-
ton on a report from the Committee on
|
Mr. Blaine-And to which I objected.
Mr.. Randall-Never, either in or out of
the committee did you object to it!
Mr.. Baine-Being in the chair, and una.
BILE to object myself, got several gentle
men to object. lLaughter at the expense OF
| from North Carolina (Mr. Rainey) to object
to it, but he, with delicacy which did
T honor to his position and race, said that he
would be misunderstood if he did 60, a.
though he thought that the bill ought mot
to 60 through.
most identical with the bill reported last
session from the Committee on Rulee, with
out any objection on your part.
+ Mr. Blaine-I differ with the gentleman
on that point. did object to it, although
| the gentleman does not observe parliament
tary rules when he refers to what took place
| in committee.
Mr.. Randall repeat that q precisely
| similar bill came last session from the Com
| mittee on Rules, and that neither as mem-
| ber of the committee, nor as q member OF the
House, nor as presiding officer, did you OBJ
t ject to it. On the contrary, as far You
, were able, you facilitated the passage OF
Mr.. Garfield make the point of order
a that the rules require the gentleman to ad-
dress the chair and not to address the
, gentleman from Maine as you"
Q Mr.. Randall, contemptously-The gen.
= tleman from Ohio is getting very fastidious.
! | lLauehter on the Democratic side and in
/ the galleries.
Mr. Banks. of Massachusetts. demanded
, the yaes and nays on ordering the main
q question, and the yeas and nays were Or
4 | dered.
Mr.. Blaine-I desire te be distinctly un-
derstood that the effect of ordering the
}. main question is to cut 0 tt all debate what
n ever.
= Mr.. Randall-And. desire to have it
equally understood that it is not the pur-
4 pose Of this side of the House to prevent de-
a bate and that if debate is cut off it will be
|, the fault of the other side of the House.
y ! This eide will accord to the other side o
v the House all the time it wants for discus
sion.
Mr.. Blanchard, of Ilinois-I ask under
4 the rules whether q minority can have thai
l. privilege.
sent [sneers on the Republican eide of the
!. Housed, and the objection. if it comes at all
must come from that side.
The main question was ordered. Yeas
l63; navs, SO. A strict party vote.
9 Mr.. Randall cow ask unanimous con-
l. sent for an hours debate prior to the vote
on the final passage.
q Mr.. Garfield Join with the gentleman
). and add to it the request unanimous amend
70 ments.
Mr.. Randall have not heard anybody
object to my suggestion.
The Speaker-Is there any objection tt
=, the request2
- Mr.. Garfield-With the privilege of offer
ing amendments. understood
Is Mr.. Randall-The gentleman does not un
e derstapd any such thing.
Mr.. Gariield-Then without privilege
object.
10 Mr.. Blaine-I desire to say single word
- Mr.. Randall-You may have thirty min
~ utes if you like.
= Mr. Blaiue-The indicstions of the vote
:, are plain that the bill in its present shapt
~ can not pass. If it fail to pass, I shall Inn
mediateiy, if the Speaker will recognize m.
= for that purpose, move that the rules b<
81 suspended and the bill be brought bef0FS
~ as substitute the amendment which l on
" deavored to offer, and the House can choosl
~ between them. 1t is only to have fail
y. vote. There is no disposition on this side
80 .o to dodge the question or to evsde, but W
" must have an opportunity to make . record
y, on this question. The gentleman must evi
,S9 IDENTIFY see thst he would cave time, anG
J" probably create better feeling and morl
harmony, by allowing that course, becausl
this side of the house has the power to On
.. force that course.
90 90 Mr., Rsndall-This bill is exactly ths
u same, word for word, a. the one which th,
:, last Republican House passed. withou
y : even the yeas and nays. Twice have Re
publican houses passed this bill, and twicl
has it been strangled in the Senate. d.
40 not know what has come over the spirit O