ing that forbids
any person appearing before the Senate. There was much to be said
in favor of the petitions, but it was against the logic of the
resolution that the petitioners required more than was accorded
any others. He, therefore, insisted on his demand for the regular
order.

Mr. SARGENT gave notice that he would call up his resolution
to-morrow, and reminded the senators that no rule was so sacred
that it could not be set aside by unanimous consent.

On the next day there was a lively discussion, Senators Edmunds,
Thurman and Conkling insisting there was no precedent; Mr. Sargent,
assisted by Senators Burnside, Anthony and Dawes, reminding them
of several occasions when the Senate had extended similar
courtesies. The resolution was voted down--31 to 13.[24]

Hon. Wm. D. Kelly, of Pennsylvania, performed like service in the
House:

Mr. KELLY asked leave to offer a resolution, reciting that
petitions were about to be presented to the House of
Representatives from citizens of thirty-five States of the Union,
asking for the adoption of an amendment to the constitution to
prohibit the disfranchisement of any citizen of any State; and
that there be a session of the House on Saturday, January 12, at
which time the advocates of the constitutional amendment may be
heard at the bar. These petitions ask the House to originate a
movement which it cannot consumate, but which it can only submit
to the States for their action. The resolution only asks that the
House will hear a limited number of the advocates of this
amendment, who are now in the city, and on a day when there is
not likely to be a session for business. They only ask the
privilege of stating the grounds of their belief why the
constitution should be amended in the direction they indicate.
Many of these ladies who petition are tax-payers, and they
believe their rights have been infringed upon.

Mr. CRITTENDEN of Missouri, objected, and the resolution was not
entertained.

This refusal to women pleading for their own freedom was the more
noticeable, as not only had Mesdames Sherman and Dahlgren been
heard upon the floor of the Senate in opposition, but the floor of
the House was shortly after granted to Charles Stewart Parnell, M.
P., that he might plead the cause of oppressed Ireland. The
Washington _Union_ of January 11