January 28, 1869

suffrage.2 min read

Mr. BOUTWELL. Mr. Speaker, I wish to state to the House that I propose to demand to morrow the previous question upon the motion to reconsider the vote by which the joint resolution (H. R. No. 402) proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States was recommitted, leaving the bill upon the same subject where it now stands.

A Member. Where is that?

Mr. BOUTWELL. The bill as well as the joint resolution has been recommitted, and a motion is pending to reconsider the vote recommitting it. 1 am satisfied, from the discussion already had and from what I know of the feeling of the House, that I cannot consistently bring the House to a vote upon the bill at a very early day. But I desire that the vote shall be taken on the proposition to amend the Constitution at once, for the reason that there are some Legislatures, as I understand, now in session which will terminate as early as the 1st of March. I understand there has been a general agreement that some amendment to the Constitution should be proposed, and I desire that the vote should be taken on that proposition at once. In order that the debate in the House to morrow may be directed to the proposed amendment of the Constitution, 1 ask unanimous consent that the speeches to morrow shall be limited to twenty minutes.

Mr. BROOKS. Does the gentleman intend to abandon his bill?

Mr. BOUTWELL. I do not intend to abandon the bill. I desire to have action at first on the constitutional amendment.

Mr. BROOKS. Is not that an abandonment of the bill?

Mr. ELDRIDGE. Does the gentleman not intend to carry these matters along as in the first instance?

Mr. BOUTWELL. I have already stated that I propose to morrow to demand the previous question.

The SPEAKER. Is there objection to limiting the speeches to twenty minutes?

Mr. ELDRIDGE. I think I shall object.

Mr. SHANKS gave notice of his intention to amend the joint resolution and the bill by inserting the word "property" before the words "race, color, or previous condition."

The amendment was ordered to be printed.