Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-27
ia NJ E s G.. BLAIN

an argument in favor Of the assumption of the
war debts by the general government, and in
demonstration Of the ability OF the north to
carry the war to a successful conclusion. But
he gradually took part il running discussion
and soon acquired high repute a facile and
effective debater. For this form of contention
his ready resources and alert faculties were sim
gularly fitted. He was bold in attack. quick in
repartee and ap. in illustration. Ills close
study of political history. his accurate know
edge of the records and re atoms OF public men
and his ur!aiing memory gave him a great ad
vantage. As member of the committee on
post offices he was largely instrumental IN
curing the introduction of the system Of
postal cars. He earnestly sustained all
measures for the vigorous prosecution OF the
war. but sought to make them judicious
and practical. In this spirit he supported the
bill for a draft. but opposed absolute conscrip-
tion. He contended that it should be relieved
by provisions for Communication a2d substitu-
ton and urged that an memorable draft had
never been resorted to but once, even under
the absoiutism of Napoleon. At the same time
he enforced the duty of sus tanning and strength
ening the armies IN the field by using all tie
resources OF the nation and strongly advocated
the enrolment act The measures for the re-
construction OF the states that had been in re-
beliion largely engrossed the attention of Con-
gress from 1865 till 1862 and Mr.. Blaine bore
prominent part in their discussion and in the
work OF framing them. The basis of represen-
tation upon which the states could be readmIt-
ted was the first question to be Determined.
Ikaddeus Stevens. chairman o. the committee
on reconstruction, had proposed that repre-
sentation should be proportional according to
the number Of legal voters Mr.. Blaine stren-
uously objected to this proposition and urged
that population instead of voters should be the
basis. He submitted a constitutional amend
ment providing that representatives and
direct taxes shall be apportioned among
the several states which shall be included
within this union according to their respective
numbers. which shall be determined by taking
the whole number OF persons except those
whose political rights or privileges are denied
or abridged by the constitution of any state on
account Of race or color He advocated this
plan on the ground that while the other basis
of voting would accomplish the object Of pre-
venting the south from securing representation
OF blacks unless blacks were made voters, We. it
would make a radical change in the apportion-
menf OF the northern states. where the ratio OF
voters to population differed very widely in
dinerent sections, varying from a minimum OF
~ per cent TO amaximum OF SO per cent The
the theory that apportionmen. should be based
on voters. and the fourteenth amendment to
the Constitution, AS finally adopted, embodied
Ny. Blaines proposition in substance.
Els AMENDMENT TO THE RECONSTRUCTION BILL
ION February 6. 1867, Mr.. Stevens reported
the reconstruction bill 1t divided the states
lately In rebellion into five military districts
and practically established military govern
ment therein. Civil tribunals were made SUBJ
jecs to military control While majority
evinced Q willingness to accep. the bill, Mr.
Blaine declared his unwillinsness to support
any measure that would place the south
under military government if it did not:
at the same time prescribe the method
BY which the people Of the state could By
their own action re-establish civil govern.
ment He accordingly proposed an amendment
providing that when any one OF the late So
called confederate states should assent 10 the
fourteenth amendment to the Constitution and
should establish equal and impartial suffrage
without regard to race or color, and when Con-
gress should approve its action. it should be en-
titled 70 representation and the provision for
military government should become inopcra-
tive. This proposition came to be known a.
| the Blaine amendment In advocating it Mr..
Blaine expressed the belief that the true inter-
probation OF the election Of 1866 was that. in
addition TO the proposed constitutional amend.
ment 1.-THE fourteenth impartial suffrage should
be the basis OF reconstruction, and he urged
the wisdom Of declaring the terms at once.
The application Of the previous question ruled