Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-12
THE AMNESTY DEBATE.
Great speech by Mr.. Blaine.

Correspondence OF BORON ddteTtSU'J
WAsHiNo7oN, Jan. lO.-The long impending
conflict began in the House Of Representatives this
afternoon with suddenness and vigor which, had
not the event been fully expected, would have
been startling. As coon as the morning hour had
expired and the Speaker had shut the gates against
the steady stream of bills and resolutions, Mr.. Ran
dali got the floor and moved to suspend the rules
so as to consider his amnesty bill. Mr.. Blaine
was instantly on his feet with notice that the
Committee on the Centennial had bill which
they desired to put upon its passage, and which be
supposed would have priority under the arrange
ment made a day or two ago. Mr. Randall re-
piled bluntly that he had the floor and wanted the
amnesty bill passed, and accordingly he demand
ed the previous question. This brought on the
fight at once. Mr.. Blaine, in a rather excited
state for so old head, eagerly exposed Randalrs
design OF cutting of all amendment, and at the
same time Randall loudly declared his willingness
to give ample opportunity for debate, and that he
should Weld half his time to the republican side.
Both men became more earnest in language and
manner than they were probably aware Of and
neither paid much attention to the Speaker, who
stood in perplexed and helpless way
almost piticul to behold. Blaine cried out
that he wanted it distinctly understood
that the previous question would cutoff amend
ment and everything else, upon which Randall
retorted bitterly, 81 perfectly aware of the ef-
feet of the motion; have for twelve years learned
its effect under adversely, as it came from the
other side" There was a little lull as the ques-
ton of seconding the demand for the previous
question was taken by tellers, but as soon as the
speaker announced that there was a second, Ran
dali renewed the fray by exclaiming, 81 have now
one hour for debate, and yield one-half Of it to
the other side" Garfield made the very obvious
point of order that no debate was allowable, and
| it was of course sustained. Randall was con-
founded for moment, but then rallied and very
ceverly attempted to throw the responsibility for
cutting off debate on the republican side by asking
unanimous consent that the debate might pro-
coed. Garfield, however, met this move quite as
cleyerly by saying that what the republican
side wanted was the consideration of the BILL
which meant amendment as well as debate
When the result of the yea and nay vote upon the
question Of passing the bill was announced, both
the champions, Blaine and Randall, were on their
feet, Blaine got the floor by saying, 81 rise to a
privileged notion" and Randall moodily sat down.
The privileged motion proved to be a motion to
reconsider, and on it he began what must be re-
garded as memorable debate. 1t is well to con-
slider just here precisely the points Of difference
involved. There is full agreement on both sides
in favor Of general amnesty. The republicans,
led by Blaine, want to impose the condition that
the persons whose disabilities are to be removed
shall take the oath Of allegiance, and to exclude
JEFF Davis altogether. The democrats want to
make the amnesty utterly free and universal
That is all there is OF it, and anybody can judge
how closely the debate was confined to the direct
issue, and how far it spread beyond that limit In
point of genuine interest it exceeded any de-
bate for many years. at least far as the speeches
of Blaine and Cox were concerned. Blaine's was
not eloquent, but compact, strong and effective.
He made good argument for the condition
proposed in his amendment, but threw his
force chiefly into denunciation of Davis
as the author Of the atrocities at Anderson
vile, which he depicted with plainness which
fairly chilled the blood. There was marked
sensation among the Southern members at this
point Of the speech, and a man standing in an
aisle robbins of North Carolina, an ex-Confed-
crate officer Kissed out, ISLANDER, an infamous
SANDER but they were quietly restrained by
cooler heads.