Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-02-09

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and referred 10 the fact that colorot
men votes generally for amnesty. III
characterized this by saying that "th'
colorcd troops fought nobly." H,
spoke Of Buffers bill tor amnesty
having also an exception in it--th,
Rob Roy MacGrcgor exception-jus
as the substitute proposed by thu
gentleman from Maino had Rob Ro,
MacGrgor exception, in imitation o
the spirit Of tho English towards th'
Scotch two hundred years ago. II,
wondered that tho gentleman from
Maine did not have that section IN
corporated in his amendment. Tha
bill Of Buffers was too bad even for
Republican House to pass.
Mr. Cox then referred to the amnesty
bill reported last session from the Com
mittee ON Rules, and, in contradiction
of one Of Mr.. Blainc's statements in re
gard to that bill, said he appealed tt
his colleagues and all of Pennsylvania
TO God and to the record.
Mr.. Blaine intcrposed the remark
that the gentleman from New Yorl
followed the example of Dogberry ant
pat his colleagues first.
Mr.. Cox retortcd that he would Civ,
Mr.. Blaine enough of dogs before h,
got through. Loud laughterl II,
said be would appeal not merely te
Providence or TO his colleagues, but tt
the record, to show that almost the
identical bill which was now opposee
by the distinguished gentleman from
Maine, had then received his acquies
cence. He quoted the record showing
the proceedings in reference to tina,
bill and showing that it had been re
ported unanimously from the Commit
tee on Rules, and he asked what mem
bers composed that committee. lie
answered the question by giving the
names of Blaine and Garfield, and h,
said that he had been surprised and
mortified at hearing the gentleman say
that while he was Speaker he had sent
down to a colorcd member to do what
he had not the courage to do--tha'
was 10 have Jefferson Davis excluded
from the operations Of that bill.
To Mr.. Blaine--ls that the state
ment you made2 Is that correct?
Mr.. Blaine--As the gentleman asks
me, ] will make an explanation, IL b,
will allow me.
Mr. Cox--Ccitainly.
Mr.. Blaine-What the gentleman
states is in the main correct, but car
state II more fully. Mr.. Maynard wai
especially anxious to report the am
nesty bill he had certain reasons fol
doing SO, which l did not know, and 1
| did know | would not disclose. II,
asked me personally in the committe,
room not to urge any objections to IL
and from my respect and friendship fol-
him allowed him to report it withou,
objection. ! had some conversation
with gentlemen on this floor us to tb,
oxpcdiency of allowing the bill to pass
but there was ut that time certain
feeling around that the gentleman from
New York Cox and his associate,
would be very kindly disposed toward
the Civil Rights bill il general amnesty
should pass. ] asked the gentleman
from South Carolina to object, and
appeal to him whether hc does no,
rccollect il.
Mr.. Rainey-I recollect the circum
stance perfectly well.
Mr.. Blaine-Hc said he would 10,
like to do il for many reasons, among
Others, that It might prejudice tn,
Civil Rights bill. thought then tha,
an Amnesty bill, including Mr.. Davis
name in il, could not have gon,
through. was in the chair and could
not myself object to the bill, and l took
the course which the gentleman ha,
indicated. And now let the gentleman
please to state TO me whether there
was any little understanding that hi,
associate would be lenient toward the
the Civil Rights billif the amnesty bill
should pass; and if SO, whether they
kept the understanding.
Mr.. Randall-Therc was no such
understanding, sir-none in the world
Mr.. Cox-Ncvcrl never never
Loud laughter.1
Mr.. Randall-And my conduct sub
sequently gave contradiction to tina,
supposition.
Mr.. Blainc--I did not accuse th,
gentleman of violating the understand
ing, but the conduct of that side of tn,
House showed very plainly that II
there had been such an understanding
II had not been observed.
Mr.. Cox-The gentleman fiom Maine
has only made the matter worse, fol
he has said that he had one object fol-
his action In the committee and an.
other object outside the committee
room, for some political purpose, nc
doubt. [sneeringly.l Is that the states
manship which aspires to the Presi.
dcncys Loud laughter all over the
House.l That is to say, while he was
ready to acquicscc in reporting n bill
out of the House regarding our present
Minister at Constantinoplc, when he
got outside the committee room be
seeks colorcd member and tries to
get him to object, and yet, sir, he sits
here in the House Of Representatives
as the guardian of honor and honesty,