The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-01-19
YHE AMNESTY BILL.

Representatives. Of the United States en- C0aa-
gress assembled (tqnO-kh5rds Of each House
cOscurrSng tReret7), That all the disabili-
ties imposed and remaining upon any
person, by virtue of the third section Of
the fourteenth articleof the amendments
of the constitution of the United States,
be, and the same are hereby removed
and each and every person is hereby
forever relieved therefre1n.
Sec. 2. That whenever any person
from whom disabilities are removed by
this act shall be elected or appointed to
any post or office of honor or trust the
Government of the Quilted States he
shall take the oath prescribed by section
1 1857 of title 10, of the Revised Statutes
of the United States or such other official
oath IS may be hereafter prescribed in
such cases by any future act Of Con-
gress,
After an exciting discussion for
four days this bill was defeated in
the House last Friday, by a vote of
1872 yeas to 81 nays, a two-thirds vote
being required to pass it. Only six
Republicans-Messrs. Farwell, Har-
alison, Kelly, Makay, Morey and
Pierce-Yoted for the bill. It was
the occasion of q very heated discus
siea, bhe- Republicans being headed
by ex-Speaker Blaine. who made a
violent and bitter harrangue, stirring
up the smoldering passions of the
war to white heat. He was extreme
ly severe on JEFF. Davis. Mr.. S. S.
Cox, of New York, made forcible
rejoinder, in which he handled Mr..
Blaine's record upon the amnesty
subject, while Speaker of the last
House, IN a mastery and triumphant
manner. Mr.. Cox peroration was an
eloquent appeal to his party associ-
ates to make the Centennial a year
Of jubilee. and to proclaim to the
world that no man stood disfranchis-
ed for any political conduct, or for
any crime for which he might have
been tried ten years ago.
The final action in kthe House is
gathered from the proceedings of
Friday, when Mr.. Knott, Chairman
of the Judiciary Committee, report
ed the amnesty bill, with the amend
ment suggested by Gen. Banks, pre-
scribing the form of an oath to be
taken before the courts by the party
applying for amnesty. The Repub-
lican members wanted to make some
explanations, but Mr.. Knott declin-
ed TO be interrupted for that purpose,
declaring that neither the peace of
the country nor the harmony of the
House required any further discus
sion. The vote on ordering the main
question was carried by vote of 1873
yeas to 90 nays. This vote requir-
ed only majority, and indicated
that the bill did not have the strength
its friends supposed. Mr.. Blaine
endeavored to have aletter read from
ex Gov. Holden, of North Carolina,
complaining that he was still disqual-
fled and that the North Carolina le-
gislature had refused to relieve his
This was objected to as
in the nature Of debate. The ,ques-
ton. was then had on the passage of
the bill, and as stated it was defeat
ed by vote of 1872 yeas to 81 nays,
two-thirds not voting in the affirma-
tive. The result was no doubt as
notifying to the minority as it was
a matter of jubilation to the majoii-
ty. Haralson, of Alabama, one of
the blacklist men of the House, was
greeted with an approving clapping
Of hands by the Democrats when he
voted for the bill. Lynch, of Miss,
would have voted as HARRISON did
and 50 announced, but said he would
vote no to give Mr.. Blaine another
chance to get in his amendment in
to Jeff Davis, saying that he
would then vote against the amend
ment. In fact, while the roll was
being called there was a great deal
of caucusing among the Republicans
and Mr.. Blaine was busy everywhere
urging his party to defeat the bill.
Mr.. Raymond, of Indiana, who is
classed as a Democrat, was the only
one of that party who voted no. AS
soon as the result was announced,
Mr.. Blaine having voted with the
prevailing side, made motion to
reconsider, and was again for the
lime being master of the situation.
lie read the Holden letter, after
which he desired to offer his bill,
and said be would yield the D any
gentleman to move to strike ont the
sxceptation of Mr.. Davis. This re-
Iuired unanimous consent, and it
vas refused as often as he asked it,
he withdrew the motion
o reconsider and resumed his seat
lie knew very we'll that no one vot-
ng with the prevailing side would
enew the motion as no one on the |
osing side could do so the bill was
defeated.
Nzzzz1zz-1l-1l1z11