New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-25
AUTHOR OF FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT.
CONGRESS TO BE ASKED TO HONOR STEPHEN
NEAL. OF INDIANA FOR DRAFTING 1T.

CONGRESS TO BE ASKED TO HONOR STEPHEN
NEAL. OF INDIANA. FOR DRAFTING 1T.
INDIANAPOLIS Feb. "a OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES are
In progress In Boone County, and are being sec
onded by citizens here and elsewhere throughout
the State 10 present appeal TO Congress through
the Indiana delegation IN behalf Of Stephen Neal.
an old citizen Of Boone. and recognized as the I'M
doubted author of the Fourteenth Amendment to
the Constitution OF the United States Mr. Neal
was born in Pennsylvania County, Va. on June
IL 1871 and came 10 this State when young man.
He studied Law, and identified himself with the
Republican party in 1856. having previously served
In the State Legislature and proved an able mem
Der in the trying period of the settlement OF the
enormous State debt, which resulted from the
collapse of the internal Improvement system under
taken in 1887
When the question OF reconstruction confronted
the country Mr.. Neal was in his prime, and was
regarded of the ablest lawyers in the State.
and took great interest in the problems that had
grown out OF the War of the Rebellion 1t Is
matter OF history. known TO all students, that the
majority in Congress was not unit upon any pol
lev to be pursued toward the South. for some fav-
ored restrictions upon citizenship others advocated
dsfranchsement, and others protested against CIV
ing colored the right Of unrestricted suffrage
1t was at this time that Mr.. Neal turned his at
tention TO the subject, and after much thought
drew up and forwarded to Congressman Godlove
s. Orth, who represented the With Indiana Dis
trict at the time, the instrument which now ap-
pears the first four sections of the Fourteenth
Amendment The author rarely speaks or his
achievement. and when asked about IL he replies
modestly and with apparent reluctance. He Is not
taking any part in the movement here TO have him
recognized the author. but. the contrary, has
discouraged 1t when it has been mentioned TO him
by his friends When asked to-day with refer
ence TO the amendment. ne replied, after much
hesitation;
Yes it is true that I wrote the Fourteenth
Amendment. When / say l wrote il, should be
sas6nS The 10 h w 1 added By the
of Fifteen which was known as the oe9tFaI bd 81
membership included Garfield stephens and many
other eminent congressman. The fifth section.
You will see if YOU turn TO it, simply provides for
the enforcement of the preceding sections have
which prevailed at the close of the war were very
complicated for the reconstruction period brought
forth many questions which had never oeIore con-
The Republicans in Congress were in a quandary.
some favoring certain restrictions on elIizensnP'
some advocating the dtSrranchlsement OF Solthetn-
alton which presented itself was 50 delicate that
many times serious crises We're impending with
the Introduction of measures. and finally the Cen
measures were referred. l wrote out the form
Th9h ySG VIII ne n CSp fn1 Of e Amend
ment'' and forwarded it to Godlove Orth. our Con-
letter informing me that he had presented my
ACCEPTED il with practically no corrections. Gar
field and others stated that while II was not n eS,
actly what they desired IT seemed 70 De the 9ss.
that could be had. II was feared that President
Johnson would veto II. and provisions were Hiaue
to pass il over his veto.
Turning TO his desk. AR Neal drew envelope
yellow with age from a pigeonhole. and took rom
/ it the letter of Congressman Ortiz, to which ne
had referred II bore the date OF April -, 1Soo'
and Is conclusive proof of the authorship. ac-
knOwledgng the receipt of the manuscript and say
ing it would be adopted by the committee. Asked
regarding hts ideas which found expression in the
amendment Mr.. Neal replied;
had been a student of ancient laws. and had
/ made study of the governments OF the GresAs
and Romans. and from all these sources drew tor
: wholly what wanted. but II was written WITH
the point in view of securing the greatest con
frage I have never thought IL eXpedient 20 say
, in what points would have preferred sonnet nlns
different l thought II important that four thinsss
should be secured by the amendment. and tne
first section intended 20 define who are cir
gems. the second relates TO the apportionnlsn -
public debt AMI the fouth outlines official duties
Is vigorous in mind and well preserved IN body
and has a vivid memory OF many OF the occur
rences In the early history OF the State lie y
in easy circumstances and seems ayerse 70 ths
movement now on foot TO have Congress forma'.S
recognize him as the author OF the amendment A.
+ is certain that he would reject any acknoN'e"s.
ment OF his service should II come In the form u
pension or money consideration The msFu.
ment, OF course. from the Committee y.
Safety as the joint work of its hfteen members o~'
the letter OF Congressman Orth and his s'S'0
ments In confederation of it 10 many persons nov
living, leave doubt of the authorship. even =
Mr. Neal himself were silent upon the saoJISSss
Just what action Congress will take, II u -
any cannot be foretold but II Is proaoIe clting
the facts OF Mr. Meals authorship OF the tns.rTTs
mens and thanking him in the name Of the ps's''