s
always resisted every proposition of this kind, and submitted to any
inconvenience rather than check free discussion. Senators around me,
who were here in the minority, felt that the right of debate was a
very precious one to them at that time, and, as it was not taken from
them, they are not disposed to take it from the minority now.

"The purpose of all that is stricken out can be effected by the
separate action of the two houses, if they shall so elect. The House
of Representatives, having passed this resolution by a great vote,
will undoubtedly adopt, in a separate resolution, what is here
stricken out; and, except so far as relates to the restriction upon
debate, I shall, if this amendment be adopted and the resolution
passed, offer a resolution substantially declaring it to be the
opinion of the Senate that, until this committee reports--presuming
that it will report in a reasonable time--no action should be taken
upon the representation of the States lately in rebellion."

Mr. Doolittle, of Wisconsin, said: "All of these great questions,
concerning reconstruction, pacification, and restoration of civil
government in the Southern States, representation in this body, or any
thing which concerns of Federal relations with the several States,
ought to be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Such has been
the practice of this Government from the beginning. Great questions of
constitutional law, questions concerning the relations of the Union to
the States and the States to the Union, and above all, and without any
exception, all questions relating to representation in this body, to
its membership, have always been referred to the Judiciary Committee.

"There is nothing in the history of the Senate, there is nothing in
the constitution of this committee, which would send these great
constitutional questions for advisement and consideration to any other
committee than the Committee on the Judiciary. To place their
consideration in the hands of a committee which is beyond the control
of the Senate, is to distrust ourselves; and to vote to send their
consideration to any other committee, is equivalent to a vote of want
of confidence in the Judiciary Committee.

"I object to this resolution, because, upon these great questions
which are to go to the joint committee, the Senate does not stand upon
an equality with the House. This resolution provides that, of the
joint committee of fifteen, nine shall be appointe