Mr. WADE. You up ealed to us, saying that if we delayed it migIit be so construed, or so understood, or something of that kind. Now I disclaim all such considerations and all idea that such an effect can follow. I do not know whether the President supposes, or anybody else supposes, when he has exercised his constitutional right that nobody denies him, and has sent a bill back here for our reconsideration, that we should not treat it precisely as we do any other question, or any other message coming from him, I care not what. Why should we not treat it as we do his annual message, or any other message, with regard to which we not precisely as we do with reference to any other question that is before us I If we are not ready to take itu we postpone it; and the President has no rightto consider that he is treated with any courtesy or any discourtesy whatever we may do with it, unless we treat him with disrespect in relation to it. Our time, our manner, our way of dealing with the veto message of the Presidentis within our own power, precisely the same as every other question. There is no difference between it and other measures, in that respect, in my judgment; and therefore l have forborne to say anything about the question of courtesy, nor will it influence my action because it cannot affect the President at all. We are entirely independent, as he is independent, any further than he is bound by the Constitution within ten days to make up his mind and send back a bill either approved or disapproved, and he generally has taken the longest time in which to do it. There is no reason wh he should not do so, if he is not ready to make up his mind earlier; and it is no discourtesy to us that he oes to the extreme of his proe on the subject. t can be no discourtesy to him if we take our time to consider his, message. There is no question of courtesy or discourtesy in the matter at all. As to the manner of taking up this bill. my course upon it is precisely what it has been with every other bill of which I have had charge. I am anxious that the bill of which Iain in favor should pass; and if I stand behind it to conduct it through the Senate, I will always, so far as I can, make use of all honorable means to secure its passage. If I think one time is more favorable to it than another, I will take that time, if the Senate will give it to me. I do not think the Senate ought at present to fix a time for the consideration of this bill, because several Senators are absent and there is a very important measure just before us, and about to come up which will take some time. I do not know that we ought now to fix a time for this matter. I prefer to leave it under the control of the Senate, from day today, without making it a special order. Here let me say that I have never been able to understand the reason why Senators are so intent upon making questions special orders. They have no more force than other hills which are not made special orders. A Senator can move at any time to take up a bill, and the order of business is entirely within the control of a majorit of the Senate from day today. I may add 1: at if I am to conduct this bill I shall take no longer time than I think is necessary to bring it fairly before the body, taking no advantage of one side or the other, seeking nothing but the deliberate judgment of the Senate upon it, and desiring action when all can be present. If it was so now that that taking up of any other bill could be done, I should not delay the measure a moment; I would as soon have the vote taken today as any other day. There are several Senators absent, however, who ought to be here to pass their judgment upon it. I cannot tell when they will be back. When they are here, if any Senator suggests to me that he wants the bill taken up, and I can see no good reason to the contrary, I shall very cheerfully move to take it up, and that without any attempt to take advantage of one side or the other. I expect always to act in subordination to the deliberate will of a majority of this body fairly expressed. I never ask for an snap judgment on any measure I have in c arge, however strongly I may feel on the subject. That is not my habit, and it will not be on this occasion. I want the bill to pass, but I want a fair expression of the Senate upon it, with all present who see fit to be present. The question of amending the Constitution is coming up in a day or 2, and we have been told that when it is once up we ought not to depart from its consideration until we get through with it. I think, then, that at this time we ought not to take up this bill for action. I think it had better lie on the table as it is, with my assurance that, so far as I am concerned, at the earliest time when it can be taken up so as to get a full expression of the Senate upon it, it shall be done.