Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-27

OF voting would accomplish the object of pro-
venting the south from securing representation
| of blacks unless blacks we're made voters, vet it
would make radical change in the apportion-
ment or the northern states. where the ratio OF
voters to population differed very widely in
Inherent sections, varying from n minimum of
~ per cent to maximum of SO per cent. The
result OF the discussion was an abandonment of
the theory that apportionment should be based
on voters. and the fourteenth amendment to
the Constitution, as finally adopted. embodied
Mr.. Baines proposition in substance.
HIS 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 sub
ject to military control. While a majority
evinced a willingness to accept the bill. Mr.
Blaine declared his unwillingness to support
any measure that would place the south
under military government il 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 TO 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 to representation and the provision for
military government should become inopora-
tive. This proposition came to be known as
the Blaine amendment In advocating il 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 (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
out the Blaine amendment, but it was renewed
III the Senate and finally carried through both
branches, and under it reconstruction was
completed. -.-
.'Ihe theory that the public debt should bs
paid III greenbacks developed great strength in
the summer of 1867, while Mr.. Blaine was abb
| sent in Europe. On his return. at the opening
OF the next session. he made an extended
speech against the doctrine and was the first
man in Congress to give utterance to this op-
position.
PROTECTING NArURALIzED CITIZENS.
"The long unsettled question Of protecting
naturalized American citizens while abroad at
tracted special attention at this time. Costello
Warren, Burke and other Irish-Americans had
been arrested in England on the charge of
completely in Fenian plots. Costello had made
a speech in 1865 in New York which was re-
garded as reasonable by the British govern
ment and he was treated British subject
and tried under an old law on this accusation.
His plea OF American citizenship was overruled
and he was convicted and sentenced to sixteen
years penal servltude. Mr.. Blaine. who, with
doctrine ~ nornot,oI aIiaa;ann. - ;
tanned that a paturaIized American wss emit.
tied to the same protection abroad that would
oe given TO native American, took active part
,;op, md 8 ,hese ., quusons upon PuoIc alten-
released The discussion of this caso 1eT 20 ,hs
treaty of 1870. in which Great Britain abau-
doned the doctrine Of once a subject ALWAYS a
subject and accepted the American prineinle
of equal rights and protection for adopted and
for native citizens
Ahh OF THE HOUSE
MI biaines administration OF the speaker
ship is commonly regarded as one of the most
brilliant and successful in the annals NJ IN.
Hopse He had r.ra ar.;,ra. - ,.;--.
for The dntiss Of nra.;dinr ncs,~ ~"u Sdu:pAeu'
nlete mastery of narl;.n.O...s nu h;s ; oS- Sn
terity and physical endurance h;s ,an;d AZ
match NJ hnsines. and hi. e. IN :ePiu uis
snirit vsre racorri,ad an III iM Mail sno inPar 'aai
.rbonab nace.sas;i, n or
;nsnsncs rnon tha no,,... sihs powefIuI
seldom, Jeft he cba;- ~ n,;n,f esa'ion ne
on the fioor. 49, 'A0 0on'''''
..0n nMs -, .ho.. ., .
1877, he baS shor,, t;tt ~ Go' IN Msrcn,
bed .rit;csad h;n, r. nv hen Wv. 49,. en. nu.ler, VINO
resoint;nn nror;d;nu n 70. os n 'ne aa.not OF .ne
aIisasS ontr, Oes al ,,o in'o
81 ar .onth 81 e. upon ioyal cltlAenS
in secnr;nn ;ts sdont;nn ~. ansnu aei uMehsal
narou. ~ "ooP'i'" W 'no republican
THE SOUTHERN AMNESTY BILL.
'The political revulsion of 1874 plac.d The
demo.rots in .ontro, ., ,ho H.. ~,
Do -. nc houSe' ana Mr.
niaine became the ieaaer OF the minority. The
| session preceding the presidential contest Of
1876 was period of stormy and vehement con-
tention A genera, amnas,v hin r.. h-on.L.
forward. remoying the noIit;caI d;ss ss;i;t;"s .s
nar,irinants in the rahaliion wh;nh i..S s ol
imnosed bv the four,eentb amendman. u"1 oesn zen
Nonsa'uuon. Mr.. bAine moved to amend by
supuorted the proposition in an imna.s;onad nad
speech. After asserting the great magnanimitv