as "most inopportune!" As if there could be a more fitting time for action than when the bills were pending.
During the morning hour of February 21st, Senator Henderson, of Missouri, presented a petition from New York.
not claim a right to representation? Many members here have petitions from these fifteen millions of women, or a large portion of them, for representation, and for the right to vote on equal terms with the stronger sex, who they say are now depriving them of it. To show that such is their wish and desire, I will send to the Clerk's desk to be read certain documents, to which I ask the attention of the honorable gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Stevens], for in one of them he will find he is somewhat interested. The Clerk read as follows :
Dear Sir:—I send you the inclosed copy of petition and signatures sent to Thaddeus Stevens last week. I then urged Mr. Stevens, if their committee of fifteen could not report favorably on our petitions, they would, at least, not interpose any new barrier against woman's right to the ballot. Mrs. Stanton has sent you a petition I trust you will present that at your earliest convenience. The Democrats are now in minority. May they drive the Republicans to do good works not merely to hold the rebel States in check until negro men shall be guaranteed their right to a voice in their governments, but to hold the party to a logical consistency that shall give every responsible citizen in every State equal right to the ballot. Will you, sir, please send me whatever is said or done with our petitions? Will you also give me the names of members whom you think would present petitions for us?
A PETITION FOR UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE.
To the Senate and House of Representatives:—[The petition here presented has been already in The Express. The following are the signatures to the petition sent to Mr. Stevens]: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, New York; Susan B. Anthony, Rochester, N. Y.; Antoinette Brown Blackwell, New York; Lucy Stone, Newark, N. J.; Ernestine L. Rose, New York; Joanna S. Morse, 48 Livingston St., Brooklyn; Elizabeth R. Tilton, 48 Livingston St., Brooklyn; Ellen Hoxie Squier, 34 St. Felix St., Brooklyn; Mary Fowler Gilbert, 294 West 19th St., New York; Mary E. Gilbert, 294 West 19th St., New York; Mattie Griffith, New York. The Speaker: The ten minutes of the gentleman from New York [Mr. Brooks] have expired Mr. Brooks: I will only say that at the proper time I will move to amend or if I do not I would suggest to some gentleman on the other side to move it this proposed amendment by inserting the words "or sex" after the word "color," so that it will read: Provided, That whenever the elective franchise shall be denied or abridged in any State on account of race or color or sex, all persons of such race or color or sex shall be excluded from the basis of representation. Mr. Stevens: Is the gentleman from N. Y. [Mr. Brooks] in favor of that amendment? Mr. Brooks: I am if negroes are permitted to vote. Mr. Stevens: That does not answer my question. Is the gentleman in favor of the amendment he has indicated? Mr. Brooks: I suggested that I would move it at a convenient time. Mr. Stevens: Is the gentleman in favor of his own amendment? Mr. Brooks: I am in favor of my own color in preference to any other color, and I prefer the white women of my country to the negro. [Applause on the floor and in the galleries promptly checked by the Speaker]. The Speaker said he saw a number of persons clapping in the galleries. He would endeavor, to the best of his ability, whether supported by the House or not, to preserve order. Applause was just as much out of order as manifestations of disapproval, and hisses not more than clapping of hands. Instead of general applause on the floor, gentlemen on the floor should set a good example.
