and the
wealthy of our country." "There is now pending," said he, "before the
Legislature of regenerated and, as gentlemen would have us believe,
reconstructed Virginia, a bill to require five years' residence on the
part of citizens of other States who may invest their capital and
settle within the sacred limits of the Old Dominion before they can
acquire citizenship. If they may pass a limitation of five years, why
may they not pass a limitation of fifty? Why will not any limitation
that comes within the ordinary duration of human life be admissible?"

Mr. Bromwell, obtaining the floor, inquired whether the question was
in such condition that any amendment or substitute could be offered.
The Speaker replied: "Six amendments are pending now. The only one
that could be offered would be to amend the amendment of the gentleman
from Pennsylvania, [Mr. Stevens,] which was, to add the word 'therein'
in the fifteenth line. No other amendment would be in order now, the
whole legislative power to amend being exhausted."

Mr. Bromwell had desired to offer an amendment which, in his opinion,
would obviate many of the objections to pending joint resolution, and
the amendments thereto; but the way not being open for this, he
addressed the House in a brief speech. He said: "When this amendment
was introduced, on last Monday morning, the differences of opinion
which have been developed in reference to the principles of the
amendment were not anticipated. But to-day we see that it has, so far,
not an advocate upon this floor. Such may be the result with every
amendment which may be presented. It is difficult to see, among all
the amendments which are now pending, any one of them, or any
combination of them, that will meet the desire of the majority, not to
say two-thirds of this House. I apprehend that the members of this
House desire to act so as to secure the support of a proper majority
here. I apprehend, also, that they desire to make this amendment such
that it will meet with the sanction of a sufficient number of the
States of the Union to make it effectual. Now, sir, it is in vain for
this Congress to launch an amendment which shall die on the road
through the Legislatures."

Notwithstanding the difficulties in the way of all the plans proposed,
Mr. Bromwell was heartily in favor of modifying the basis of
representation. "I think," said he, "seventy years is long enough for
fifteen, twenty, or thirty Representatives to sit h