After debate the substitute of Mr.Sherman was passed by a party vote,--twenty-nine to ten.
When the bill went to the House it was violently opposed by Mr.Stevens and Mr.Boutwell.

Mr.Boutwell said, "My objection to the proposed substitute of the Senate is fundamental and conclusive, because the measure proposes to reconstruct the State governments at once through the agency of disloyal men." -- Mr.Stevens said, "When this House sent the bill to the Senate it was simply to protect the loyal men of the Southern States.

The Senate has sent us back an amendment which contains every thing else but protection.

It has sent us back a bill which raises the whole question in dispute as to the best mode of reconstructing the States, by making distant and future pledges which this Congress has no authority to make and no power to execute." -- Mr.Blaine argued against Mr.Stevens's proposition to send the measure to a Conference Committee, and he begged those "who look to any measure that shall guarantee a republican form of government to the rebel states, with universal suffrage for loyal men," to vote for this bill as it came from the Senate.
-- Mr.Wilson of Iowa sustained the bill.

"Although it does not attain," said he, "all that I desire to accomplish, it embraces much upon which I have insisted, and seems to be all that I can get at this session.