[216] Ibid., No. 31.
[217] Ibid., No. 84. This bill became law without the governor’s signature by lapse of the time limit.
[218] The writer counted seven.
[219] It appears almost incredible that this most personal measure of all passed both houses with almost no opposition. The explanation may lie in the bribery later charged. House Misc. Doc., 42 Cong., 2 Sess., No. 211, 272-73.
[220] “In this spirit (of forgiveness) I recommend the abrogation of the 99th Article of our Constitution, and believe, if an amendment should be submitted to the people at the next general election, it would receive their almost unanimous approval. I regretted its insertion in the constitution, favored the proposition to abrogate it at the last session, and now officially recommend it.” Cyclopedia, 1869, 394.
[221] Senate Deb., 1870, 61.
[222] Sen. Jour., 1871, 37; House Jour., 146-47.
The House Committee reported it as a “partial proscriptive measure in direct conflict with the spirit of the age and unnecessary.” House Jour., 1870, 146.
[223] House Deb., 1871, 42. Only one voice was raised in opposition.
[224] No person who had been a collector or had been otherwise intrusted with public money was eligible to any office of trust until he had obtained a discharge for the amount with which he had been intrusted. Session Laws, 1870, No. 21, Regular Session.