Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 14 (of 20)Sumner, Charles
History
Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 14 (of 20)
Sumner, Charles
Slavery -- United States; Speeches, addresses, etc., American
There is no question before us with regard to popular elections. We
are considering how men should vote in a representative capacity. Much
as I am in favor of secret voting at the polls, I cannot hesitate in
declaring for open voting wherever men represent others. Nor can I see
any reason for secrecy in elections by a legislative body which is
not equally strong for secrecy in voting on the passage of laws. But
nobody would dispense with the ayes and noes in our daily business. To
my mind the question is clear. Republican institutions will gain by
establishing the accountability of the representative, and I cannot
doubt that this principle should be our guide in determining the manner
of electing Senators under the National Constitution.
The amendment of Mr. Fessenden was rejected,--Yeas 6, Nays 28.
The bill passed the Senate,--Yeas 25, Nays 11,--also the House
of Representatives, and was approved by the President.[39]
MAIL SERVICE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.
SPEECH IN THE SENATE, ON A JOINT RESOLUTION RELEASING THE PACIFIC MAIL
STEAMSHIPS FROM STOPPING AT THE SANDWICH ISLANDS ON THEIR ROUTE TO
JAPAN AND CHINA, JULY 17, 1866.
The Senate having under consideration a joint resolution
releasing the Pacific Mail Steamship Company from the portion
of their contract requiring them to stop at the Sandwich
Islands on their route to Japan and China, Mr. Wilson, of
Massachusetts, moved to require, as a condition of release,
the establishment of a monthly mail steamship line between San
Francisco and the Sandwich Islands.
Mr. Sumner said:--
MR. PRESIDENT,--This question is not free from embarrassment,
especially where one is in favor of the line to Japan, and also in
favor of a line to the Sandwich Islands, as is the case with myself.
I am anxious to see each of these lines established, believing each
important to the general welfare, and especially to the commercial
interests of the country. But, strong as is my desire, I am not able
to see how the line to Japan can be advantageously held to turn aside
and stop at the Sandwich Islands. To bring these two objects into one
voyage is not unlike the idea of the elderly person who wished her
Bible to be the smallest size book and the largest size type. The two
things do not go together.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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