The Portland daily press., 1876-01-15
The Republican ayes wers:


Anderson, Banks, Egbert. Farwel, HARRISON,
Kelley Landers of Indiana, Luttrell, Mackey of
South Carolina Money, Pierce, Seelye-12.
On the result being announced Blaine took
the floor and by motion to reconsider obtain
ed the right to speak. He said that the
object on his side of thu Honse was not to be
obstructive,-(Several Democrats-"We hope
not,") mot to delay legislation by any of those
means with which the last House was SO ia
miar. They had no desire to flibuster, al
though the civil rights bill, which had been de-
signed to give the rights of manhood to colored
men, had been ready to be reported from
committee aud fillibustering cut off the chance
to report it for seventeen consecutive Monday
mornings aud one of the chief parliamentary
9loreS of his friend from Pennsylvania IRAN
DAILY was that through the extreme use of that
power he had prevented consideration of that
bill. They designed no such process They
simply desired to have vote on whether JEFF
ferson Davis should be included in this general
amnesty. If his friend from Massachusetts
(Banks) whom he said, smiling with that win
some smile to which he sBlaine) was always
glad to respond would excuse him, he would
suggest that his (Blaine's) amendment was bet
ter than the gentleman's in another respect.
The gentleman's (Bankso amendment allowed
the oath to be taken in any state court of re-
cord, in probate court for instance. A Re-
publican member-Or police court) He
thought it was matter in which the U. s. gov
erDment was dealing with some of its erring
and rehabilitated with the full rights and glo-
ries of American citizenship. He thought such
an important transaction should be cogniZable
only 10 the U. S. Courts. He believed there
was no other difference between the two
amendments.
Kasson-Oh, yes the latter proposition re-
quires an oath of obedience to all the laws
made in pursuance of the constitution.
Hoar-So that if man violates any law he
becomes guilty of perjury.
RlnIv frsn De- ,rbA
ment is harder on them than mine 1 want to
be generous TO them. (Laughter.) Under the
gentleman's (Bankso amendment if he refuses
to put two cent stamp on his check he vio-
lateS his oath.
Banks-We intend TO obey all the laws.
Blaine-Yet but at the same time there
should be no pitfalls in legislation for the IN
wary to fall into.
Banks-There are no unwary on our side.
Blaine-What is the gentleman's side? loud
Banks-It is the side of the constitution of
the United States and of the laws made in
pursuance thereof General applause on the
Democratic side.) | do not see that there is
any difference between men of this country
who are under political disabilities and the
aliens who come here and ask to be admitted to
citizenship and who are allowed 10 take the
oath in state courts
Blaine-I endeavored this morning to have
letter read and will read it now. With that
Mass, (Banks) possesses, he called our atten-
ton to the great value in this Centennial year
of having no man in the land under the slight
est political disabilities and why Ironically ex
cept jeff Davis? will now read the letter.
1t is addressed to myself and is dated Raleigh,
N. c., Jan. u, 1867
Mr.. Blaine thereupon read letter from N.
w. Holden, ex-governor of North Carolina,
stating that be had been impeached and re-
moved from office as governor of that state
IF !, A.
Ku Klux; that this was done by the Demo-
Gratis of that state; that he had been also dis
qualified by the judgment of the removal from
holding office in that state; that the late legis-
| lature and its late constitutional convention
had been applied to in vain by his friends to re-
| move such disabilities; that the state conven
| ton in which the Democrats had one ma
iority by fraud had refused by strict party vote
| to remove his disabilities, and that today he
was the only man who could not hold office,
and that he thought these facts should be born
| in mind when the Democrats In Congress
clamored for relief to the late insurgent lead
ers tu
After some further remarks, Blaine asked
unanimous consent to offer his amendment,
| and when it was refused, withdrew his motion
| to reconsider. This action was received with
| triumphant laughter on the Republican side.
| The Democrats were all on their feet, and Ran
dali attempted to speak but Blaine refused and
| the matter ended.
When order was restored, the House, on mo-
ton OF Mr.. Randall, went into committee of
the whole Mr.. Sayler of Ohio in the chair, on
the pension aspiration bill, which appropriates
the following sums: Pensions for army inval-
ids, S12 S00000; pensions for widows, &C.. $14,-
100000; pensions for survivors of the war of
1872. 81, 100000 fees of pension agents, COM
missioners, Sc, 100000; navy pensions and
fees, Sc, 81, 1873 500 Total, S29,533, 500.
Mr. Atkins of Tennessee, who had charge of
the bill, made statements as to how the items
in it compared with those of preceding years
and showed that the average rate of pensions
had increased from $3.50 in 1871 to $103 q in
1875. After discussion in regard to pension
agents, the committee rose and reported the
bill and it was passed.
Mr.. Lord, from the Judiciary Committee, re-
ported bill providing that the judgments of
the Alabama court shall be reported to the Sec
rotary of State, and the Secretary of the Treas
ury shall proceed to pay the judgments with
interest at per cent. from date of loss. Pass
ed.
Adjourned till Monday