discussion. They were in the following words:

"Amend the motion to recommit by adding to that motion an
instruction to the committee to amend the bill so as to
extend the right of suffrage in the District of Columbia to
all persons coming within either of the following classes,
irrespective of caste or color, but subject only to existing
provisions and qualifications other than those founded on
caste or color, to wit:

"1. Those who can read the Constitution of the United
States.

"2. Those who are assessed for and pay taxes on real or
personal property within the District.

"3. Those who have served in and been honorably discharged
from the military or naval service of the United States.

"And to restrict such right of suffrage to the classes above
named, and to include proper provisions excluding from the
right of suffrage those who have borne arms against the
United States during the late rebellion, or given aid and
comfort to said rebellion."

At the close of Mr. Darling's remarks, in which he had moved to
postpone the whole subject, Mr. Hale, of New York, having argued at
considerable length in favor of the several clauses of his proposed
amendment, remarked: "Of the details of my amendment I am by no means
tenacious. I do not expect to bring every member of the House, or even
every member on this side of the House, to concur in all my own views.
I desire simply to put my measures fairly before the House, and to
advocate them as I best can. I am ready and willing to yield my own
preferences in matters of detail to their better judgment. More than
that, I shall not follow the example that has been set by some on this
side of the House who oppose my amendment, and who claim to be the
peculiar friends of negro suffrage, by proclaiming that I will adhere
to the doctrine of qualified suffrage, and will join our political
enemies, the Democrats, in voting down every thing else. No, sir; for
one, and I say it with entire frankness, I prefer a restricted and
qualified suffrage substantially upon the basis that I have proposed.
If the voice of this House be otherwise--if the sentiment of this
Congress be that it is more desirable that universal suffrage should
be extended to all within this District, then, for one, I say most
decidedly I am for it rather than to leave the matter in its present
condition, or to disfranchise the