The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-01-13
The Amnesty Bills.

The Washington correspondent of the Balt
more AmericaA, under date of Jan. 10th. says
For the first time during the five weeks since
Congress convened to-day presented the OPP
portunity for real oratorical sallies between
leaders of the respective sides. Immediately
after the morning hour expired Mr.. Randall
called UP the bill previously introduced by him
granting universal amnesty and oblivion to all
who had participated in the rebellion. Mr..
Baine antagonized this motion through an ef
fort to offer as q substitute for the Dill one
which hail been prepared by him almost iden
tical in text with the Randall measure, except
that Jefferson Davis was excluded from its be-
neficence. He warned Mr.. Randall that the
Republican side of the House was unwilling t6
pass any amnesty bill which did not make this
exclusion. Mr.. Randall refused to allow the
amendment, and indicated that after the pre-
viotfs question had been ordered he would allow
one hour for debate upon the bill, half Of which
he would share witt. his political adversaries.-
Fhe vote was then taken, and the previous
question ordered. ts-
1t was on having this action taken that Mr.
Randall committed an irreparable blunder.-
Under the rules, where a committee reports a
bill and the previous question is ordered. who
ever may have charge OF it is entitled to one
hour for debate, which time he can farm out az
he may elect. Now, the bill under considera.
tee, and when Mr.. Randall offered him all op-
portlnity to speak. the keen ex-Speaker re-
minded him that he had cut OFT debate by Or
dering the main Question, and the only 1spO-
sition that could then be made of the bill was
to come to square vote and pass or reject it.
Not to be thrown off his guard, and for the
purpose of attaching to the Republican side
The fault if debate was not allowed. MIR. Ran
dali asked unanimous consent for one hours
debate. His party colleagues took the che,
and interp5sed no objection Mr.. Garfield,
however, did, and refused his assent unless a.
mcndments were permissible.
1t was the purpose, to-day being Monday, to
pass the bill under a suspension of the rules.
This rerequireda two thirds vote. The Repub-
licans almost as INIT voted against the bill
and defeatedt. When the result was announ-
ced the kennebec statesman, quick to take ad-
vantage of the parliamentary position of the bill,
sprang to mis- feet aud mo. ed to reconsider the
vote whereby the bill was lost. This placed it
in different position, and under the rules
gave an opportunity for debate, and without
being under any obligations to the magnanim-
ity of the majority for the privilege. Mr.
Blaine then, in speech well delivered and
with great effect. set forth his objections to the
bill, unless Jefferson Davis was excluded. that
he believed that he was responsible for the
atrocities committed on the ,Feddrel soldiers
at Andersonville and other Southern prison
pens. Mr.. Cox replied in = facetious vein.
basing his text upon the first ten Or twelve
verses OF the 10th Psalm. Mr. Kelley, of
Pennsylvania, advocated the bill without
amendment or restrictions of any kind He
was willing to heal all past dissensions and
take within the fold the ,iIest sinner. Mr.
Hill, OF Georgia, obtained the floor, but yield
ed to motion to adjourn, with the understand
ing that he was to have it when the measure
again comes up tomorrow
Ii Is the impression that if the Blaine amend
ment Is not admitted, that the Republicans
VIII not Pass the bill. In its present position,
II passed, two-thirds Of the House must give
assent. Enough of the Republican members
VIII Stand by Blaine to make it impossible to
secure that vote.