A system of parliamentary delay was thus foreshadowed, but was prevented by Mr.
Blaine moving that the rules be suspended and a vote immediately taken on the question required by the Constitution; namely, "_Will the House, on reconsideration, agree to the passage of the bill, the President's objection to the contrary notwithstanding ?_" The Speaker decided that the motion in this form cut off all dilatory proceedings.

Mr.Finck appealed from the decision of the Chair, but only four members sustained him.

The rules were suspended, and the House, by a vote of one hundred and thirty-five _ayes_ to forty-eight _noes_, passed the bill over the veto of the President.

The Senate concurred in the action of the House by _ayes_ thirty-eight, _noes_ ten; and the famous Reconstruction law, from which flowed consequences of great magnitude, was thus finally enacted against every effort of the Executive Department of the Government.( 1) The successive steps of this legislation have been given somewhat in detail because of its transcendent importance and its unprecedented character.

It was the most vigorous and determined action ever taken by Congress in time of peace.