53.18 CONGR.ESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. AUGUST ·s, 

calls upon the Senate to do what t To publish 10,000 extra. copies of 

this message and the accompanying documents. It will cost probably $300. The Senator from Delaware objects. Now, I ask the Senator from Delaware why he objects to an appropriation of $:~00 to 

publish the evidence npon which we can convict democratic murdererst We have helped to expose the republican thieves, and you must 

not object when we ask you to publish evidence that will convict 

democratic murderers in South Carolina or elsewhere. No, Mr. President, let the truth be told. If the republican part.y is guilty of anything, let them be exposed; if the democratic party has been guilty 

of anything, let them be exposed. If there are members of the re- publican party who are thieves let us expose them; if there are mem- bers of the democratic party who murder men for their opinion's sake 

and that alone-because the murders at Hamburgh were for nothing 

else; they were murders for opinion's sake-! say let them be exp()sed. 

Let the people of tLis country know who are guilty in both parties and 

who a·re responsible for these crimes. 

Mr. President, I have referred to the papers accompanying the 

message sent to the President by Governor Chamberlain; they con- tain h1s view from his stand-point. I hold in ·my hand an account 

of the bloody work at Hamburgh, in the News and Courier of July 

10,1876. The News and Courier is a democratic newspaper, pub- lished in Cha-rleston. It represents what is known in our politics 

in South Carolina as the fusion wing of the democrat-ic party. As 

I remarked a few minutes ago, the democratic party in South Carolina is divided upon the question of acceptin(J' Mr. Chamberlain as their candidate or nominating a straight-out democratic candidate. 

This report does not vary from but confirms all the statements made 

by Governor Chamberlain. 

I have here also an article from the Charleston Journal of Commerce, the other democratic paper published there representing what 

is knowu as the straight-out faction, and which considers itself democratic par excellence. The News and Courier calls it ''tile bloody 

work at Hamburgh," while the Journal of Commerce heads its article "A hullabaloo," with the hope of turning this dreadful massacre into ridicule. These two papers represent the two factions into which 

the democratic party in the State is divided; and neither of them 

pretend to dispute the facts in the ca,se, but assign different causes for the oecurrence and give different reasons for their disapproval. 

The Jonrna.l of Commerce is edited by R. Barnwell Rhett, jr., a na- 1ional name well known in the history of the country, and represents 

what is understood to be the true chivalry of the State; the men of 

real worth and respectability in the democratic party, the men who 

believe in principle and will fight for it. 

THE PARTIES IN THE RAMBURGH RIOT. 

Mr. President, I come to a part of my remarks which I regret my 

duty compels me to make. Who is implicated in this Hamburgh massacre f The other day, in answer to the Senator from Texas, I 

had t.be names of the parties that are returned by the coroner's jury as implicated in these murders read ; and I say here publicly before 

the Senate, as I will say in South Ca.rolina. when I go home from 

every stump where I expect to speak, that I am sorry to see in this 

list the names of certain gentlemen. I find here the names of over eighty persons, citizens of South Carolina and Georgia. ·I know some _ of these parties. The Georgians I do not know. The other day, in answer to the Senator from Texas, I said that these gentlemen represented the best families in South Carolina. I say so to-day; and I 

say for them, I say for their friends, that I regret to find them in this 

position. General M. C. Butler, who is charged in the coroner's re- turn as being implicated in these murders before the fact, is the 

nephew of Senator Butler, who formerly represented South Carolina 

upon this floor. I have no hesitation at all in saying here that Gen- eral l\1. C. Butler in South Carolina is considered a high-toned, honorable gentleman. He bears that reputation wherever be is known. 

He was a gallant soldier. No braver, no truer man ever drew a sword 

in the confederate army. His blade shone the brightest upon every battle-field, and he proved his devotion to the cause that he believed was right by leaving a leg upon the field. He always bas been hon- ored and respected by that portion of the people of South Carolina 

who desired to be considered the ruling class. In 1870 be was the 

reform candidate for lieutenant-governor. There has never been a convention of the democmtic party in South Carolina since the war that he has not been a delegate. I see that he is a delegate to the 

democratic convention that meets in Columbia on the 15th of this 

month; yet he is included in the report of this coroner's inquest as 

one of the parties implicated. I have known General Butler ever since I have been in South Carolina. I have known him personally 

and favorably. I have received acts of kindness from him, and 

would be the last man to do him injustice. I respect him as a gen- tleman, and I pray God that he may be able to exonerate himself 

before the court and before a jury of his countrymen. If General 

Dutler is guilty of the charge that is laid against him, let him be 

punished; but I shall rejoice as much as the wife of his bosom would 

rejoice if it shall be proven that he is innocent. 

But somebody is guilty, Mr. President, of these murders at Hamburgh. The fa-ct that the -people were murdered, the fact that ten 

Americal). citizens without cause or provocation were murdered in 

cold blood canno~ be d_enied, and s?mebody is responsible; it is not 

for me to say who. Here is the list that has been returucd by the 

coroner's inquest upon the testimony sworn to. I am not like the 

the Senator from Connecticut, and I will not say e\7 erytbing is "false." 

I know it is ex pa1·t~ testimony,))Ut it is the usual course. We have 

the same laws in South Carolina that yon have in New York, Pennsylvania, or Connecticut., and other well-regulated States. We have our coroner's inquests, and we call before them such witnesses as the coroner thinks necessary and proper to give evidence, and that is 

the evidence npon which this return has been made. _ Mr. LOGAN. Will the Senator allow me to interrupt him right 

there? 

Mr. PATTERSON. Certainly. 

Mr. LOGAN. I do so because I do not exactly understand a statement he has made. He speaks of General Butler as a high-minded 

honorable gentleman. That I have no right to controvert, and I 

do not desire to do so. He says he hopes be will be proved innocent. 

I hope everybody is innocent, but I want to ask the Senator if he believes the statements that are sworn to in reference to his conduct 

and the conduct of these others in regard to the murder of these ne- groes f 

Mr. PATTERSON. Of course I believe them. I have no right to 

euppose that the persons that went before that coroner's inquest swore falsely. Of conrse I beli~ve them; I have no right to disbelieve them ; but I am sorry for the parties implicated, and when the 

trial comes off in the Aiken Court House I shall rejoice if Genl3ral Butler and the other gentlemen named here, whom I know and for whom 

I have always had respect, and whose families I respect, can exoner- ate themselves. If the testimony should establish their guilt, then I 

say, while I regret it, yet like a good citizen I of course hope that 

they will be punished. That is what I say. 

Mr. WEST. As it suits the convenience of the Senator from South 

Carolina and there are some matters of executive busine s that re- quire attention, I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration 

of executive business. 

Mr. DAVIS. Does the Senator from South Carolina desire an adjournmentf 

Mr. WEST. The Senator from South Carolina yielded the floor 

temporarily. Mr. PATTERSON. I will go on to-morrow morning. 

The PRESIDENT pro tentpore. The question is on the motion of 

the Senator from Louisiana. 

The motion was agreed to; and the Senat-e proceeded to the con- sideration of executive business. After twelve minutes spent iu 

executive session the doors were re-opened, and (at five o'clock and seven minutes p.m.) the Senate adjourned. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. .. -

TuESDAY, August 8, 1876. 

The House met at twelve o'clock m. Prayer by the Chaplain, Rev. 

I. L. TOWNSEND. 

The Journal of yesterday was read and approved. 

RESUMPTION OF SPECIE PAYMENTS. 

Mr. HAMILTON, of Indiana. I rise to a question of privilege. 

I am reported in this morning's RECORD in reference to the vote on the passage of the bill to repeal the resumption-day clause oi the act 

of January 14, 1875, as saying: "I desire to state that, if permitted, 

I should vote 'no.'" On the contrary, I stated most distinctly that if 

permitted I would vote "ay." 

The SPEAKER pro t~mpore. The correction will be made accordingly. 

DEATH OF GElo.'ERAL CUSTER. 

Mr. MILLS. I aak unanimous consent to spread upon the records 

of the House of Representatives a joint resolntion passed by the Legislature of Texas in reference to the death of General Custer. 

There was no objection, and the resolution was read, as follows: 

.Joint resolution H. R. No. 395. 

Whereas General G. A. Custer has endeared himself to the peoJ?le of the frontier 

of Texas and elsewhere by his bold and dashing operations aga.mst the Indians; 

and whereas the news of his late sudden death wbile in discharge of his dangeroua duties is received: Therefore, 

SECTION 1. Be it resolved by the LP.gislature of the State of Texgj, That we tender our sincere condolence to the family of the deceased and to thd"pe(lple of our suf. 

fering front-ier, and that the governor be req nested to forward a. copy of this joint resolution to our Senat()rs and Members of Congress, with the request that the same be spread upon the .JournaL~ of Congress, and a copy of the same be for· 

warded to the family of the deceased. 

Approved .T uly 28, 1876. 

The joint resolution was laid on the table, and ordered to be 

printed. AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION. 

Mr. LAWRENCE, by unanimous consent, introduced a joint reso- lution (H. R. No. 163) proposing an amendment to the Constitution 

of the United States; which was read a first and second time, referred 

to the f!0mmittee on the Judiciary, and ordered to be printed. 
1876. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. 5319 

Mr. LAWRENCE. I ask, by unanimous consent, that the resolution be printed. 

There was no objection. 

The joint resolut.ion was read, as follows: 

Resolved by the &nate and Hottae of Representatives of tho United Statu of America in Conuress assembled, (two-t.JI.irds of each House concu1'ring therein,) That the fol- lowin~ be proposed to the Reveral States of the Union as an amendment to the ConstitutiOn, namely: ARTICLE XVI. 

SECTION 1. No State sha.ll make any law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. 

SEC. 2. No public property or money raised by t-axation or from any public fund or proper';y in any State or place subjoot to the le¢.slative power of Congress shall e~r be given to or be under the control of any religious soot or denomination. 

SKC. :i. Congress shall have po"·er to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. 

REFUND TO NORTH CAROLINA. 

Mr. BRIGHT, by unanimous consent, from the Committee of Claims, 

reported back, with a favorable recommendation, the bill (H. R. No. 

1146) to refnnd to the State of North Carolina certain moneys therein 

named; and the same was referred to the Committee of the Whole on the Private Calendar, and the accompanying report ordered to be 

printed. E. J, GURLEY, 

Mr. BRIGHT also, by unanimous consent, from the Committee o Claims, reported back, with a favorable recommendation, the bill (H. 

R. No. 593) for the relief of E. G. Gurley, of McLennan County, Texa-s; 

and the same was referred to· the Committee of the Whole on the 

Private Calendar, and the accompanying report ordered to be printed. 

THOMAS 1\1. HOWARD. 

Mr. BRIGHT also, by unanimous consent; from the Committee of 

Claims, reported back, with a favorable recommendation, the bill (H. 

R. No. 3766) for the relief of Thomas M. Howard, of Lewis County, 

Missouri; and the same was referred to the Committee of the Whole on the Private Calendar, and the accompanying report ordered to be 

printed. JOSEPH W. PARRISH. 

Mr. BRIGHT also, by unanimous consent, from the Committee of 

Claims, reported back, wit,h a favorable recommendation, the bill (S. 

No. 830) for the relief of Joseph W. Parrish; and the same was re- ferred to the Committee of the Whole on the Private Calendar, and 

the accompanying fep01·t ordered to be printed. · 

D. W. PRICE AND THOMAS AKERS. 

Mr. BRIGHT also, by unanimous consent, from the Committee of 

Claims, reported, as a substitute for House bill No. 1464, a bill (H. R. 

No. 4074) for the relief of D. W. Price and Thomas Akers; and the same was referred to the Committee of the Whole on the Private Calendar, and the accompanying report ordered to be printed. 

ALEXANDER & CO. 

Mr. BRIGHT also, by unanimous consent, from the Committee of 

Claims, reported backt_with a favorable recommendation, the bill (H. 

R. No. :3161) for the relief of Alexander & Co. for the loss of whisky 

by the negligence of the Government; and the same was referred to 

the Committee of the Whole on the Private Calendar, and the accompanying report ordered to be printed. 

RAILROAD AND TELEGRAPH FROM THE MISSOURI TO THE PACIFIC. 

Mr. McCRARY, by unanimous consent, from ~he Committee on the 

Judiciary, reported a bill (H. R. No. 4075) to amend an act entitled 

"An act to amend an act entitled 'An act to aid in the construction 

of a railroad and telegraph line from the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean, and to secure to the Government the use of the same for 

postal, military, and other pnrposes,' approved July 1, 1862,''- approved July 2 .• 1864 ; which was read a first and second time, recom- mitted to the Committee on the Judiciary, and, with the accompanying report, ordered to be printed. 

Mr. RANDALL. Not to be brought back on a motion to recon- sider! 

·· Mr. McCRARY. Yes; not to be brought back on a motion to re- consider. 

The SPEAKER pm tempore. The Chair will state that it is a rule 

of the House that when the reference of a bill is made byunanimoUB 

consent it is made just a,s in the morning hour on Monday, with the 

understanding that the bill is not to be brought ba.~k on a. motion to 

reconsider. 

Mr. RANDALL. That is the rule, except as to reports of committees. • The SPEAKER pro ten~p()'f'e. The Chair supposed the gentleman 

from Iowa [Mr. McCRARY] was introducing a bill. He now understands it was a report from a committee. 

Mr. WILSON, of Iowa. The Chair will remember that the role 

only applies to bills, and it has been so held this session. I think 

that by parity of reasoning it ought also to cover resolutions, so that 

gefltleruen asking unanimous consent to refer could not afterward by a motion to reconsider take advantage of the generosity of the'House. 

Mr. FRYE. Is i't understood that this bill is not to be brought back on a motion to reconsider! . The SPEAKER pro ten1pore. It is distinctly understood that it is 

not to be brought back on a motion to reconsider. And the Chair 

thlnks that that is the safer method as to reports from..oommittees 

generally. As regards the introduction of bills there can be no ques· 

tion as to • he rule. L. H. FITZHUGH. 

Mr. THROCKMORTON, by unanimous consent, introduced the following resolution ; which was read, and referred to the Commit~ee of 

Accounts: 

Resolved, Thn.t the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives be, and he is 

hereby, instruct.ed tD pay to L. H. Fitzhugh, late Doorkeeper, an amount equal to 

the sa'iaryof Doorkeeper from the dato of the consolidation of the office of Doorkeeper with that of Sergeant-at-Arms, May 22last, to the 1st day of August; the 

said Fitzhugh having been det:lined and engaged in settling his accounts to that 

date. 

THEODORUS B. M. ~ASO~. 

Mr. BANKS. I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's 

table for reference to the Committee on Foreign Affairs the joint 

resolution (S. No.17) authorizing Lieutenant Theodorus B. M. :Mason, 

of the United States Navy, to accept a silver medal from the King of 

Italy. 

I will state to the Honse that the Committee on Foreign Affairs has 

reported adversely on all applications for leave to receive decorations from foreign governments. But this question relating 1.o medals has not been presented to the committee, and I desire to have this 

bill referred that the question may be considered deliberately and 

formally reported upon. 

There waa no objection, and the joint resolution was taken froui 

the Speaker's table, read a first and second time, and referred to the 

Committee on Foreign Affairs. 

APOLINE A. BLAIR. 

Mr. WELLS, of Missouri, by unanimous consent, introduced a bill 

(H. R. No. 4076) granting a pension to Apoline A. Blair; which was read. a first and second time, referred to the Committee on Invalid 

Pensions, and ordered to be p1-inted. 

JOHN F. CHANEY. 

Mr. LEVY, by unanimous consen~, introduced a bill (H. R. No. 4077) 

for the relief of John F. Chaney, a resident of East Feliciana Parish, 

in the State of Louisiana; which was read a first and second time, 

referred to the Committee on War Claims, and ordered to be printed. 

SP~CIE CIRCULATION. 

Mr. LANDERS, of Indiana, by unanimous consent, introduced a bill (H. R. No. 4078) to secnre the prompt resumption of specie circulation and par money; which was read a first and second time. 

Mr. LANDERS, of Indiana. I move that the bill be referred to the 

Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures. 

Mr. COX. I move to amend that motion so that the bill shall go 

to the Committee on Banking and Currency. 

Mr. LANDERS, of Indiana. I move to lay that motion on the 

bble. 

The SPEA.KER pro tempore. The Chair will inform the gentleman 

from Indiana that that would carry the bill to the table. The question is on the motion of the gentleman from New York [Mr. Cox] to 

amend the motion of the gentleman from Indiana so as to refer the 

bill to the Committee on Banking and Currency instead of the Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures. 

Mr. COX. All similar bills have gone to the Committee on Bankiug and Currency. . The question being taken on Mr. Cox's amendment, there were- ayes 51, noes 21. 

Mr. LANDERS, of Indiana. No quorum hM voted. 

The SPEAKER pro tempm·e. Then the Chair will appoint tellers. 

Mr. COX. The House do not understand the question exactly. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is upon the motion of 

the gentleman from Indiana, LMr. LANDERS,] who introduced a bill 

for reference and moved that it be referred to the Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures, and the gentleman from New York 

[Mr. Cox] moves to amend that motion so 38 to refer it to the Committee on Banking and Currency. 

Mr. BANKS. It ought not t.o be referred to that committee, from 

the f\Ult that they have reported adversely upon this subject. A 

traveling commission has already been appointed to inquire into this 

matter. 

Mr. COX. There has been no bill reported t.o that committee providing for the appointment of such commission. 

Mr. HURLBUT. Let the bill be read. · The Clerk read the bill. a.s follows: 

A bill to secure the prompt resumption of spooie circulation and par money. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of 

America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and is hereby, required to use tho $10,000,000 in Treasury notes, made a special fund under the 

provisions of joint resolution for the issue of silver coin, substitute for House reso- lution No. 109 of the present Congress, in the furchase of silver bullion as rapidly as may bo, and to coin the same into dollars o 412! grains of standard silver, and 

said dollars shall be legal tender for all debts both public and private, and when 

said silver coin and bullion shall amount to the sum of $10,000,000 the Secretary of 

the Treasury Rhall exchanae the said coined dollars for Treasury notes when presented at the Treasury in tvashington in sums of ll,OOOor over, and the notes thus 

received in exchange for dollars shall be used in t1ie purchase of silver bullion for 

coining. and from and aftor the date of this offered exchan~e the Treasury notes of 

the United States shall be rooeived by the Government wnich issued them for all 

dues, duties, and debts of every description. SEC. 2. The Sec1'6tary of the Treasury shall also cause tD be executed a new se- ries of bonds of the Government, the expense of which shall be under the appro-
5320 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. AUGUST '8, --. 

prlation for the Treasury Department, in denominationR of 850 and multiples. bear- and of a currency which, in the opinion if not of the gentleman from in~ interrst at too rate of one cent !1 flay in coin for each 6100 and exch.'\ngeable at N y k t 1 t f f hi fr' d · d d '· t th will of the holder with Treasury notes rit the Treasury or any of the subtrensuries ew or a eas 0 many 0 s lOll s, lS regar 8 as uu wor - of lhe United States. These bonds shall be sold to our citizens at par for ~!;Old or less paper. silver bullion at the market prico, TJrovided such price bo not above their minting Mr. COX. There is such a thing as a metallic currency, and that is 

value, and for Treasury notes dollar for dollar. All bullion received for these within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Banking and Curroncy, bonds shall be kept as a s-pecial fund separate and ap:lrt from other monoy in the accordin0

fT t.o the rules and mothods of procedure of this Houso. 'l'reasury, and when coined or matle inLo standard bars shall be used only in tho purchase or redemption of the coin interest-bcal'ing securities of the Government The gelltleman from Indiana [Mr. LANDERS] who brings in this 

earning a higHer rate of interest than those herein authorized. A.nd all Treasury bill really proposes to kill it by referring it to the Committee on Coinnotes received for these bonds sbaH be used in tho purchase of bullion for this spo- age, Weights, and Measures, for he knows that that committee can- ci:Ll bond-redemption fund, and while there be bonds subject to call this fno.d shall not report at any time. If they should report during the morninrr 

not ue allowed to exceed the sum of 10,000,000; but when no bonds can be oallecl ~ 

it may accumulate until bonds mature, when they shall be called and paid to the hour, we have already had some illustration of the way they sn~ceea full amount of the fund. in their endeavor to carry matters through this House. , SEc. 3. All act."! or resolutions or part-s ther8of in conflict with the provisions of The gentleman Mks me to pledge myself to mnko a report upon 

this are hereby repealed. this bill. I cannot pled~e that my committee will act npon this matMr. COX. I understoo<l the gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. ter. All that I can say 1s that hitherto we have refrained from disB.u."Ks] to say that the Committee on Banking and Currency had cussing it, not having it strictly before us. I could not pledge my 

already reported a resolution appointing a commission to which this committee toreport upon this subject; no member, either as chnirsnbject should be referred. Dut the Senate have not agreed to tbat man or otherwise, can pledge his committee to a particular course. resolution. This bill should not be referred to the Committee on This is too large a question to be pledgod either p1'0 or con. The genCoinage, Weights, and Mensures, but to the Committee on Banking tleman from Indiana not only woul(l require his bill to commit suicide 

and Curre;.,cy, which, under the rules and practice of the House, has at this time, but he would go further and claim that it should be re- hnd the consideration of these subjects. ferred to a committee already favorable to it, thereby himself pre-

:Mr. DANKS. Not by the rules. The practice of the House re- judging t.he question. Therefore, I s~y this bill ou~ht to go where 

quires that a bill of this kind sha11 be referred to a committee that is similar bills have gone, to the proper organ of tho House authorized 

not unfriendly to it. So far as the Committee on Banking and Cur- under the rules to consider the subject. 

rency is concerned, it has prejudged this question; it has entered its Mr. MAcDOUGALL. I rise to a point of order. 

judgment against it. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman will state it. 

Mr. COX. The gentleman bas no authority for saying that the Mr. MAcDOUGALL. The gentleman from Indiana [Mr. L.U."'DERS] 

matter has been prejudged. Where does the gentleman get his au- havin~ withdrawn his objection to the reference of this bill to the 

thority for saying we have prejudged it f . Comm1ttee on Banking and Cnrrency, there is no question before the 

Mr. HOAR. I desiretoentermyprotestagainsttheprinciple stated House upon which thore is a division. 

by my colleague, [Mr. BA..~Ks,] that we should refuse to refer a bill ex- The SPEAKER p1·o ttmtpore. The Chair did not so understand the 

cept to a committee friendly to it. On the contrary, the rnles of this gentleman. 

House provide that all subjects of n. certain character must be re- Mr. LANDERS, of Indiana. I will withdraw my objection if the 

ferred to certain named committees. gentleman will pledge himself that his committee will report upon it. 

It is true when there is a doubt as to whether a measure is within Mr. COX. How can I pledge my committee to any particular course T 

the jurisdiction of a certain committee thnt doubt is solved by a di- M:r. KASSON. · I desire to call attention for one moment to two of 

rect vote in the House. It is also true that it never has been held by the rules of the House bearing directly upon this subject. Rule 148 

this House that we should not refer a matter to a committee that hns is as follows: 

it wit.hin its jurisdictio~ because it may liave reported against other An additional standing committee shall be al?pointed at the commencement of 

similar measures. each Congress., whose dnties shall continue until the first session of the ensuing Suppose that the proposition was to refer a matter of' amendment Congress, to consist of seven members, to be entitled a" Committee on Coinage, 

to the Constitution or of leo(J'islation to the Jndiciarv Committee. \Veights, and Measures;" and to this committee shall be referred all bills, resolu J tions, and communications to the House npon that subject. Does anybody suppose or will any one claim that it should go to the · Committee on Rules, or to the Committee on Mines and .Mining, be- cause the Judiciary Committee ha.s expressed at some time an ad verse opinion upon the subject T 

Mr. DANKS. My objection does not rest upon any old pa,rliamentary law or rules, nor does the rule of the House rest upon any such 

principle as that. The rule of t,he House rosts upon the pr:inciplo of 

absolute and natural justice, that the reference of n. subject to a com- mittee is for the purpoee of inquiry. Now if that committee has decided.against tho subject which it is proposed shall bo referred to it, 

then it ought not to be referred to that committee, because it would 

not be inquired into. There is nothing in the rules which absolutely 

requires, against the judgment of the House, that a matter of this 

kind shall be referred to one particular committee; it may be rl3ferrQSl 

to any one of many committees. Inasmuch as the Committ.eo on Bauking and Currency has decided and reported aqainst measures of 

this kind, recommending that further inquiry shall be referred to a commission that is to hold its sessions after this session of Congress 

shall have closed, it is evillent that no such measure as this should bo now referred to that committee. 

Mr. COX. I say again to the gentleman that we have como to no conclusion upon the subject. 

.Mr. LANDERS, of Indiana. I am somewhat surprised that the 

chairman of the Committee on Banking and Currency [Mr. Cox] 

sboultl uesire that this bill to be referred to his committee, after having .reported from ·that committee a resolution virtually admitting 

thmr inability to decide this question. They have reported here a concurrent resolution for the appointment of a joint commission to 

take charge of all these questions, thereby a-dmitting their own :inabilit.y f() settle them. I would have no objection to that committee 

taking cha.rge of this question if they would pledge themselves to 

report upon it, either for or against the proposition. But after the 

passage of tho resolution reported from that committee tho other day, 

authorizing the appointment of a commission for the avowed purpose 

of taking this great qnestion of making the silver dollar a legal tender from before the House for the remainder of this session, I want 

this bill re ferred to a committee that will be likely to make a report 

upon it. If the gentleman from New York will pledge himself to 

make a report upon this bill, or have his committee do so, either for or again~t it, so t,hat the question can come before the HoUBe, I will . withdraw my objection :wd let the bill be referred to his committee. 

Mr. DANKS. One remark to the gentleman from New York, [Mr. 

Cox,] which I forgot to mention when I was up before. This is a bill 

concerning coins and it ought to go to the Committee on Coiua.ge, ·weights, and Measures. There is no renson whatt3ver for referring it 

to a c·ommittce that lh'ls jurisdiction only of t~e subject of _currency, 

Another committee, the Committee on Banking and Currency, by 

usage as well as because of the use of the word" currency" in the title 

of the committee, ha.s takon jurisdiction to a certain extent of the 

subject of metallic currency. This bill also contains a proposition 

for the creation of a new interest-bearing 'security of the Government, a subject which belongs to the Committee of ·ways ami Means. 

The rule which defines the duties of the Committee on Mines and 

Mining limits the jurisdiction of that committee to subjects relating 

to mines and mining. ConRequently it is evident that whlle one provision of the bill might justify us in referring it to the Committee of 

Ways and Means, while another relating to coina.ge might suggest its 

reference to the Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures, and 

while other provisions which relate to the currency might make the 

Committee on Banking ·and Currency a proper committee for its con- sidsration, yet it contains no provisions relating to mines or mining; 

and consequently it does not, witb.in the meaning of the rules, belong 

to thnt committee. 

The SPEAKER pro tcrnpore. The motion of the gentleman from 

Indiana [Mr. LA...·~mERS] is to refer tho bill t() the Committee on Coinn.go, Wei~hts, and Measures, which motion the gentleman from 

New York [~lr. Cox] moves to amend by striking out '' Coiuage~ 

Weights1 and Measures" and inserting "Banking and Currency.' 

Upon thts question the Chair ba-s appointed as tellers the ~entlema.n 

from Indiana [Mr. LANDERS] and the gentleman from New York, 

[Mr. Cox.] 

The House divided; and there were-ayes 73, noes 80. 

So tho amendment of Mr. Cox was not awreed to. 

Tho question recurring on tho motion of Krr. LANDERS, of Indiana, 

to refer the bill to the Committee on Coinage, 'Veights, and Measures, 

it was agreed to. . :Mr. RANDALL. Let it be understood that this bill is not to bo 

brought back on a motion to reconsider. 

The SPEAKER pro tentpore. That will be understood. 

Mr. BANKS. I rise to a. parliamentary inquiry which is in the na- ture of a questiolil of order relating to the vote jqst taken. I understood the gentleman from New York [Mr. Cox] to say that the Committee on Banking and Currency would h11ve authority to report upon 

this bill at any time. I inquire of tho Chair whether the authority to 

report at any time, which was given to that committee, was not 1imited to tho question of the repeal of the rosumption act, and whether 

upon other questions th1.t committee does not stand in the same position as other committees of the House f 

The SPEAKERp1·o tcmpm·e. The Chair has not before him the rule 

referred to by the gentleman; _but he nnc.lerstands it refers to the 

question of tho curre~ y generally. 

I 

( 

\ 
1876. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. 5321 

SALE OF INDIA..."'I UESERV ATION. 

Mr. PHILLIPS, of Kansas. I enterecl some time ago a motion to 

reconsider the vote on the report of t.be committee of conference upon 

the bill (S. No. 779) to provide for the sale of the ruservation of the 

confederated Otoe and :Missouria Indians in the States of Kansas and 

Nebraska. 

ORDER OF DUSINESS. 

Mr. BAl'ffiiNG. I ask unanimous consent to have taken from the 

Speaker's table and put upon its passage now the bill (S. N·o. 1007) 

concerning the eruploymeut of Indian scouts. 

Mr. BLAND. I ettll for the regular order. · Mr. HEREFORD. I rise to make a privileged report. 

Mr. BANNING. ltbinkif thegentlemanfromMissouri [M:r.Du...~D] 

would allow me to make a statement he would withdraw his call for 

the regular order. 

Mr. RANDALL. I call for t.he reO'ular order. 

Mr. BANNING. I think that if the gentleman from Pennsylvania 

[Mr. RA.~DALL] would bear me he would give way. 

Mr. RANDALL. I call foi· the regular order. 

The SPEAKER p1'o tempo1·e. The regular order is the unfinished 

business pending at the adjournment yesterday; but pending the 

demand for that, the gentleman from West Virginia [Mr. HEREFORD] 

rises to make a report from a committee of conference, ·which isiJrivileged and will be received at thi.s time. · Mr. HEREFORD. Mr. Speake.;.·, the committee of conference upon 

the river and harbor bill--

Mr. RANDALL. I rise to a point of order. I submit that the 

papers connected with this bill are with the Senate; and until the 

report and papers come from the Senate this matter cannot be considere(l by the Hoose. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair is not advised as to tbe • facts. If the statement of the gentleman from Pennsylvania. is cor- root, then the point of order is well taken. . :Mt'. HOLMAN. Let the gentleman from West Virginia state whether 

he has the papers. 

.Mr. HEREFORD. I ha\e the floor, and desire to proceed. 

The SPEAKER pt·o tempore. The gentleman will be kind enough 

to ~peak to the point which has been raised and the question of fact 

·whether the papers are in the posse~ion of the Senate or of the 

Hoose. 

lh'. HEREFORD. If I can be protected in my right to tho floor, I 

wish to make a statement. 

The SPEAKER p1·o tempcn-e. The gentleman from West Virginia. 

has1.he floor. 

Mr. RANDALL. I raise the point of order that the papers are not 

here. 

The SPEAKER p1·o temPQre. The Chair has asked the gentleman 

from West Virginia to speak to that matte1· of fact. If the papers are not in the possei:!Sion of the House the point is well taken, and 

the report can uot now be made. 

Mr. KASSON. The Clerk is the officer to certify to that fact. The 

papers are ·in his possession if they are here. 

Tho SPEAKER pro tempo1·c. The Chair Ulluerstands that the papers are pot in the possession of the House. · Mr. HEREFORD. I have the floor, and I desire to proceed. The 

rules of the IIouee declare thatIn nll cases of conference asked after a vofu of disagreement, &c., the conferees 

of the llouso askin~ it are to lea.'"e the papers with the conferees of tho other; and 

of course the report must be firSt made to the House agreeing to the confcrenco. 

The committee of conference on the part of the Senato have made 

their report to that body. 

Mr. RANDALL. Dnt the Senate has not actecl on it. 

Mr. HEREFORD. And according to tho rules, as I nn(1erstand 

t.bem, I have the right to make the report whicb 1 have seut to the 

Clerk. 

The SPEAKER pro tempo1·e. The Chair is informed by the Clerk 

that the papers in this case, together with rho bill, arc in the possession of tho Senate; that no message ha-s been rccei \·ed from the Senate as to their act ion, and consequently in the absence of those papers 

the matter cannot be acted on in the House. 

LEA VPJ OF ABSEXCE. 

Mr. RANDALL. I demand the regular oruer of business. 

The SPEAKER pro tempm·e. The regular order of business is the 

unfinished business at the adjournment yesterday. That unfinished 

business is the motion of the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. GAlU•'IELD] 

that reqnests for leave of absence be granted. Pending that motion 

the Hoose adjourned. 

Mr. RANDALL. Let the list of requests be read. 

Tho Clerk read as.follows: 

To Mr. ll~<LL for two weeks; 

To Mr. O'URIE~ indefinitely; 'l'o Mr. D<)ttA."iD indefinitely from the 8th instant; 

To Mr. A. S. HEwrrrMr. CONGER. I suggest in reading the list that the reasons be 

given which are assigned for making the request. 

1\lr. CLARK, of Missouri. I uo not care to hear the names read. 

Mr. CONGER. Let us have the reason why the leave of absence is 

reqnest.c<l. 

The SPEAKER .pro tempo1'c. The Chair understands that in each case some rea.son has been assigned for the request for leave of ab- sence. 

Mr. CONGER. Where request ismade onacconnt of sickn688leave 

of absence should be grant-ed. 

The SPEAKER p1·o tempore. Some ask leave on.acconnt of sickness 

and some on account of important business. 1 That is the usual form 

in which thev are made. 

Mr. CONGER. I withdraw my request. 

Mr. LUTTRELL. Will it be in order to move that we all be ex- cnsed T 

Mr. GARFIELD. I demand the previous question. 

Mr. DURAND. I withdraw ruy request for leave of absence. 

Mr. McMAHON. I should like to know if there conlfl not be separation aa to those who ask ]eave of absence on account of sickness 

from those who ask leave of absence simply on account of bm~iness. 

The SPEAKER pro tempcn-e. The ~cntleman is entitled to a separate -vote on each name if he desires 1t. 

Mr. TURNEY. I also withdraw my request for leave of absence. 

The previous question was seconded and the ma,in question ordered. 

The Honse divided; and there were-ayes 66, noes 59. 

Mr. RANDALL. Is that a quorum f . 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. It is not. The Chair appoints Mr. 

GARFIELD ancl Mr. RANDALL tcellors . .Mr. RANDALL. I think we may as well have the yeas and nays. 

Such as are sick should be excused, of course. Mr. HUBBELL. I have sent to the Speaker's desk a request for 

leave of absence, and I have done so because I have two sick children 

n.t home. 

Tho SPEAKER pro tempm·e. lf the gentleman sent his request this 

morning, it is not a~ong these requests which were pending at the 

adjournment yesterday. 

Mr. HUBBELL. I a~k then that it be included in the Hst with the 

other names. I am obli"ed to go home at any rate. It takes niue 

days' travel for me to go ,1ome and return, and therefore I have asked 

indefinit.e leave of absence. 

Mr. WILSON, of Iowa. I ask for a sepamte vot-e on the request of 

the gentleman from :Michigan, for that request certainly should be 

granted. 

Mr. SHEAKLEY. I withdraw my request for leave of absence. 

The SPEAKER p1·o tempore. Does the gentleman from Pennsylvania 

insist on his demand for the yeas ancl nays f 

llr. RANDALL. My motive was to fi.ncl out such as ask for leave 

of absence on account· of sickness, so that those requests may be 

granted. There is no reason, and certainly there is no propriety, 

where requests for leave of absence are made merely on accoUllt of 

business, that they should be granted. It may be that within a few 

days this session willclose, and I think it not unreasonabla that gen-. tlemen who are well should sta.y here and attend to business with 

the rest of us. The SPEAKER p1'o f~e. The Clerk will read the original applications for leave of absence. 

The Clerk read :m follows: 

Mr. BELL asks lMve of absence for ~T"O wooks on account of illness; 

Mr. O'llniEN asks imle.finite leave of absence on oocount of sicknes.'i in his fam. 

ily· 

Mr. HmviTT, of New York, asks leave of absence for fivo days on acoount of 

sudden illness; 

Mr. CocnnA..'iE, of Pennsylvania, asks leave of absence untll-rrhursday morrung next· 

Mr: GoODE, of VirJrlnia, asks leave of absence for tbl'('e days ; Mr. CAJ,DWELI,, of Tcnnesseo, asks le.:'\Te of .absence for two weeks i 

Mr. BROWN, of Kentucky, asks indefinite leave of absence; 

Mr. PIIELPS asks leaYe of absence for ton days from to-morrow; 

Mr. GIBSON asks leave of absenoo for two days from the 8th instant; 

Mr. G. A. llAGLEY asks leave of absence for ten da~s from the 9th instant; 

Mr. CHITIE::IDEN asks indefinite leave of absence from ~esday next; 

Mr. COLLINS a.skslea.ve of absence for fiv.e days; Mr. ADAMS asks leave of absence for ten days; 

Mr. DOBB~S asks leave of absence for one week; 

Mr. WALKER, of New York, asks leave of absence for two weeks from the 8th 

instant; 

Mr. PLATI asks leave of absence for four days from Tuesday next; and 

Mr. SOUTHARD asks leave of absence for four days. 

Mr. RANDALL. My obJect is aeoomplished in giving notice to gentlemen who are not called away by sickness that they ought to re- main he1·e. I withdraw all opposition to granting leave of absence in 

those cases. Mr. GARFIELD. If the gentleman in charge of the appropriation 

bills thinks that the granting of these requests for leave of absence 

will in any way endanger a quorum, I am ~ound as a matter of loyalty to the business of the House to say I thmk we ought not to grant 

the requests, and, so far as I am concerned, will withdraw my motion 

that they be granted. 

Mr. RANDALL. In my judgment, a few days will bring us to the 

determination of this session. 

Mr. GARFIELD. I have never known a. leave of absence to be re- fused, and everybody understanding Teqoests for leave of absence in 

this way are always granted, a large number of gentlemen whose names are upon the list have actually left th~ city, and it would em- barrass them to have their names brought up in this public way ancl 

leave of absence refused. .. It would put every one of them in ,an exceedingly embarrassing 
5:322 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. AUGUST 8, 

position. I am sure their requests would not be refused unless the 

gentlemen in charge of the public business think that granting their 

requests would result in the loss of a quorum. If tho gentleman 

takes that view, I will withdraw my motion. 

Mr. RANDALL. I am apprised that nearly one hundred members are absent. This is not confined to this side of the House. There is 

a.bout a relative proportion of absentees from each side of the House. 

We have constantly within a short time past found ourselves without a quorum. It has been difficult to keep a quorum ; and in view of 

the fact that in all human probability we shall be able to adjourn in a very few da:vs, I thought gentlemen who simply desired leave of 

absence on account of business won1d facilitate the public business 

by remaining those few days; and hence my opposition in the _first 

instance to granting their request. I now withdraw it. 

The SPEAKER p~·o tempore. Further count not being demanded, 

the motion of the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. GAID'IELD] prevails, and 

the several requests for leave of absence are granted. 

Mr. HUBBELL. I now ask that my application be acted upon. 

Mr. HOAR. I wish to ask the Chair if it is in order to move that 

all the applications for leave which specify as the reason for the application the sickness of a member or of any member of his family or the deat.h of a member of his family be granted 7 

The SPEAKER PJ'O temp01·e. That con1d be done by unanimous 

consent. 

Mr. HOAR. Then I will make that motion. 

Mr. CONGER. I would suggest to the gentleman from Massachusetts that all the applications for leave of abt;ence have already been 

granted. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair understood the gentleman 

from Massachusetts as wanting to establish a rule for the future. 

The various requests for leave of absence which were on the Speaker's 

table have now been granted. 

Mr. HOAR. I do not insist on my motion. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Michigan [Mr. 

HUBBELL] asks for leave of absence indefinitely on account of sick- ness in his family. Is there objection f 

There was no olJjeotion, and Jeavo of absence was granted. 

HEIRS OF FIDELIO 8. HUNT. 

Mr. TUCKER, by unanimous consent, from the Committe~ on Ways and Means, reported back, with a favorable recommendation, 

the b11l (H. R. No. 3-750) for the reJief of the heirs of Fidelio S. Hunt, 

late collector of internal revenue of the second district of Mississippi ; and tho same was referred to the Committee of the Whole on 

the Private Calendar, and the accompanying report ordered to be 

printed. 

Mr. HURLBUT moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill waa referred to the Committee of the Whole; and also moved that the 

motion to reconsider be laid on the table. 

The latter motion was agreed to. 

COURTS IN COLORADQa 

Mr. MAcDOUGALL, by unanimous consent, introduced (by request) a bill (H. R. No. 4079) providing for a district and circuit· court of 

the United States in the State of Colorado, and for the appointment 

of district judge, attorney, and marshal; which was read a first and 

second time, referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and ordered 

to be prinetd. 

BALTIMORE AND POTOMAC RAILROAD. 

Mr. MAcDOUGALL a]so, by unanimous consent, introduced (by 

request) a bill (H. R. No. 4080) repealing so much of the act of May 

21, 1872, as authorizes the Ba\timore and Potomac Railroad Company 

to run across the public reservation to their depot on Sixth street; 

which was read a first and second time, referred to the Committee for 

the District of Columbia, and ordered to be print-ed. 

JOHN T • .ARMSTRONG. 

1\Ir. CABELL, by unanimous consent, from the Committee on War 

Claims, reported a bill (H. R. No. 4081) for the relief of John T. Armstrong, of Alexandria, Virginia; which was read a first and second 

time, referred to the Committee of the Whole on the Private Calendar, and, with the accompanying report, ordered to be printed. 

DR. A. G. TEBAULT. 

Mr. CABELL also, by unanimous consent, introduced a bill (H. R. 

No. 408'2) for the relief of Dr. A. G. Tebault, of Princess Anne County, 

Virginia; which was read a first and second time, referred to the . Committee of the Whole on the Private Calendar, and, with the ac- pompanying report, ordered to be printed. 

PACIFIC ?tiAIL STEAMSffiP COMPA.."!IIT. 

Mr. "\VADDELL. I ask unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and put on its passage the bill (S. No.1021) allowing the 

Pacific Mail Steamship Company to carry the mails in their new iron · steamships. This is n. matter of great importance to a large portion of the people of this country. · Mr. BLAND. I think I must call for the regular order. 

Mr. WADDELL. Will the gentleman allow me to state what the ·Object of the bill is f 

Mr. BLAND. I cannot yield for action on any bill. 

Mr. LUTTRELL. This will not take more than a single moment, 

nnd it is very important that the bill should pass. 

Mr. WAD DELL. I desire to state to the House that this bill is 

unanimously approved by the Committees on the Post-Office and 

Post-Roads of both branches and has just passed the Senate. It will 

not take more than a moment to pass it. 

The SPEAKER p1'o ternpore. The Clerk will report the bill. 

The bill was read for information. It authorizes the PostmasterGeneral to accept from the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, for serv- ice in transporting the mails of the United States between San Francisco and China, the steamships City of Sidney, City of New York, 

and City of San Francisco, the same bein~ new iron American-built 

ships of more than three thousand tons regtater; said iron steamships 

to be substituted for any wooden side-wheel steamers now lawfully 

doing service under the act of Congress of February 7, 1865; provided 

that n~thing contained in the bill shall be construed as creating, re- viving, or recognizing any claim now :pending, or as a basis of any 

claim which may hereafter bo preferred against the United States by 

said steamship company growing out of any existing law or contract 

whatever, except snob as may lawfully exist under the law of February 7, 1865. . Mr. HOLMAN. I must object to the present consideration of this 

bill. The last clause in it ought to be considered carefully. . Mr. WAD DELL. As I have already stated, the bill has been care- fully considered and approved by the Committees on the Post-Office 

and Post-Roads of both Houses. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Argument is not in order. The gentleman from Indiana objects. 

Mr. HOLMAN. I ask that the last clause be again reported. 

The Clerk again read the proviso of the bill. 

The SPEAKER p1·o tempore. Is there objection to the consideration 

of this bill at the present time 7 

Mr. HOLMAN. It seems to me that the language of the last clause 

is very am biguoos. 

Mr. WAD DELL. It is the most carefully guarded language that • the best lawyers could nse to cover the avoidance of responsibility on the part of the Government. 

Mr. BLAND. I must object. • ROCKY MOUNTAIN LOCUSTS, ETC. 

Mr. STRAIT, by unanimous consent, introduced a bill (H. R. No. 

4083) to authorize the appointment of a commission to investigate and 

gather informat.ion relative to the Rocky Mountain locust (or grasshopper) and other injurious insects; which was read a. first and second 

time, referred to the Committee on the Public Land!!, and orde1·ed to 

be printed. 

CAPTAIN THOMAS B. HUNT. 

Mr. STRAIT also, by unanimous consent, introduced a bill (H. R. 

No. 4084) for the relief and re-appointment of Captain Thomas B. 

Hunt, assistant quartermaster in the United States Army; which was read a first and second time, referred to the Commit-tee on Military 

Affairs, and ordered to be printed. 

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE. 

A message was received from the Senate, by 1\Ir. SYMPSON, one of 

their clerks, informing the Honse that the Senate had passed without 

amendment bills of the House of the following titles: 

The bill (H. R. No. 269'2) to relinquish the title of the United States 

to certain property in the city and county of San Francisco, California; 

The bill (H. R. No. 4060) to provide for the payment of certain indebtedness incurred in the construction of the New York court-house 

and post-office bu i.] ding ; 

The bill (H. R. No. 2094) for the relief of J. E. Pankey, of Fulton 

County, Kentucky; 

The bill (H. R. No. 2'lS2) to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury 

to chan~e tbe name of the steamboat Hiram Wood ; and 

The b1ll (H. R. No. 1823) to change the name of the pleasure-yacht 

Ella to that of .Myra. 

The message also informed the Honse t~at the Senate had ·passed with an amendment, in which the concurrence. of the House was re- quested, the bill (H. R. No. 1915) to change the name of the steamboat Robert Ross. 

The message further announced that the Senate had passed bi.lls of 

the following titles; in which the concurrence of the House was re- quested: 

A bill (S. No. 4!l3) to authorize the Vancouver Water Company to 

lay water-pipes through the Fort Vancouver military reservation; 

A bill (S. No. 788) for the relief of Robert N. Eddy; 

A bill (S. No. 840) for the relief of Norman H. Ryan; and 

A bill (S. No. 1036) to provide for the printing and distribution of 

the reports of the Commissioner of Agriculture for the years 187 4 and 

1875. 

REPAVEMENT OF PE1'o.'NSYLVANIA AVENUE. 

Mr. WILLARD. I ask unanimous consent t.o introduce a bill for 

consideration at this time. 

The SPEAKER pro tempo1'e. The bill will be read, after which 

objections will be in order. . The bill repeals all that .part of section .5 of an act entitled "An 

act authorizing the repavement of Pennsylvania avenue," approved 

July 19, 1876, which provides that said pavement shall be fully com- pleted and ready for use December 1, 18i6. 
1876. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. 5323 

There being no objection, the bill (H. R. No. 40&>) to repeal part of 

section 5 of an act entitled "An act authorizing the repavement of 

Pennsylvania avenue," approved July 19, 1876, was received and read a first and second time. 

The bill was then ordered to be engrossed and read a third time; 

and being engrossed, it w~s accordingly read the third time, and 

}lassed. 

Mr. WILLARD moved to reconsider the vote by which the biUwas 

passed ; and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on the 

table. 

The latter motion was agreed to. 

STOCKBRIDGE AND MUNSEE L.'\'DIANS. 

Mr. MORGAN, by unanimous consent, from the Committee on Indian Affairs, reporte(l a bill (H. R. No. 4086) for the relief of the Stockbridge and Munsee tribe of Indians, in the State of Wisconsin; which was read a first <md second time, referred to the Committee of the 

Whole on the Private Calendar, and, with the accompanying report, 

ordered to be printed. 

CHARLES B. VAfu'iEY. 

Mr. GOODIN, by nnanimons consent, reported back from the Committee on Public Lands tho bill (S. No. SOt!) for the relief of Charle~ 

B. Varney, of Portland, Maine, and moved that the committee be 

discharged from its furt.her consideration and that it be referred to 

the Committee of Claims. 

The motion was agreed to. 

PAY OF COMMITIEE CLERI{. 

Mr. POWELL, from the Committee of Accounts, reported the following resolution; which was read, considered, and adopted : 

Reso1ved, That the pay of the clerk of the Committee on Expenditures in the In- terior Deparbnent be, and is hereby, increased $1 per day, said increase to date from 

day of appomtment. 

ORDER OF BUSL.VESS. 

Mr. SMITH, of Pennsylv:mia. I ask unanimous consent to report a bill for reference to the Committee of the Whole on the Private Calendar. 

Mr. BL.llo."'D. I cannot yield any further. I demand the regular 

order of business. 1 

Mr. HALE. I move to reconsider all the votes taken this morning 

upon the various reports of committees and bilJs for reference; and 

also move that the motion to reconsider be laid on the table. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair will state t bat all bills introduced and referred by unanimous consent cannot under the rule 

be brou~ht back on motions to reconsider. And in this case the same order w1ll be entered in regard to each one of the reports of the committees. 

Mr. HALE. That should be done. 

Mr. CONGER. I ask the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. BLAND] 

to allow some IJiUs to be reported and referred to the Committee of 

the Whole on the Private Calendar. 

Mr. BLAND. I cannot yield any longer, and must demand the 

regular orcler. 

SILVER AND GOLD COINAGE. 

The SPEAKER pro tmnpore. The regular order being called for, the 

morning hour will now begin at twenty minutes past one o'clock. 

Report-s of a public nature are now in order from committPes. The 

unfinished business coming over from the last morning honr is the 

bill (H. R. No. 3635) to utilize the products of silver and gold mines, 

and for other purposes, reported by the gentlellk'\nfrom Missouri [Mr. 

BLAND] b·om the Committee on Mines and Mining. The pending 

question is upon the call for the previous question. 

Mr. BLAND. As the session is so near its close, I must insist upon 

the {lemand for the previous question without anv further debate 

upon this bill. • Mr. ODELL. I move that the House now adjourn. 

Mr. HALE. On that motion I call for tellers. · Tf!Mlers were not ordered; there being 16 in the affirmative, not 

one-fifth of a quorum. · Mr. PIERCE. I call for the yeas and nays on the motion to adjourn; and pending that motion I move that when the House adjourns to-day it be t.o meet ou Thursday next. · The question was taken upon the motion of Mr. PIERCE; and upon a division there were-ayes 15, noes 55. 

Before the result of the vote was announced, 

Mr. PIERCE called for the yeas and nays. 

The yeas and nays were ordered; there being npon a (livi:;ionayes 25, noes 77; more than one-fifth voting in the affirmative. 

The question was taken; and there were-yea 1, nays 1H4, not voting 100 ; as follows: 

YEA-Mr. Frye-1. · 

NAYS-Messrs. Adams, .Ainsworth, .Anderson, Ashe, At.ldns, Bagby, Goorge A. 

Bagley, John H. Baker, William H. Baker, Ballou, Banks, Beebe, Bl:ickburn, Blair, 

Blaurl, Boone, Bradford, Bright, William R. Brown, Horatio C. Burchard .. Burleigh, Cabell, John H. Caldwell, Campbell, Cannon, Caswell, Cate, Caultleld, John B. 

Clarke of Kentucky, .John B. Clark, j1·., of Missouri, Clymer, Conger, Cook, Cox, 

Crounse, Cutler, Danford, Darrall, Davis, Davy, Dibrell, Douglas, Dnrand. Durham, Eames, Eden, E.a;bert, Evans, Faulkner, Felton, Finley, Forney, Fort, Foster, 

Franklin, Freeman. Garfit>ld, Gause, Gibson, Goodin, Gunter, .Andl:ew H. Hamil- ton, Hardenber;:h. Ben,jamin W. Harris, Harrison. Harhidge, Haymond, H ender- son, Hereford, uoldsmith W. Hewitt, Hoar, Hoge, Hooker, Hopkins, House, Hubbell, llunton, Thomas L. Jones, Joyce, Kasson, Kehr, Kimball, King, Knott, Lane, 

Lapham, Lawrence, Lev.v, Lewis, Lord, Luttrell, Lynch, L.vmle, Mackey, Magoon, 

Maish, MacDougall, McCrary, McDill, McFarland, McMahon, Meade, Metcalfe, 

Miller, Mills, Monroe, Mor:.ran, Morrison, Mutchler, Nash, New, Norton, ~eill, 

Packer, Pa:.re, Pavne. William A. Phillips, Pierc-e, Piper, Plaisted, Platt. Poppleton, Potter, PoweU, Rainey. Randall, Rea, Reagan, John Reilly, Rice, Riddle, John 

Robbins, William M. Robbins, Hobert.,, Robmson, Miles Ross, Rusk, Savage, 

Scales, Schleicher, Sbeakley, Singleton, Sinnickson, Slemon11, A. Herr Smith. Will· 

iam E. Smith, Spencer. Springer, Strait, Stenger. Stevenson, Stone, Tooaa, Terry, 

Thomas, Thompson, Thornburgh. Throckmorton. Washington Townsend, Tucker, 

Tufts, Turney, Van Vm·bt>ll, John L. Vance, Robert B. Vance, Waddell, Wait, 

Charles C. B. Walker, Gilbert C. Walker, Walsh, Ward, Erastus Wells, White , Whitt.horne, Wig:;inton, Willard, James William11, James D. Williams~ J eremiah 

N. Williams, BeliJamin Wilson, James Wilson, Woodburn, Yeates, ana Yonng- 184. 

NOT VOTING-Messrs. Abbott, J.Qlm H. Bagley, ,jr., Banning, BaM, Bell, Bliss; Blount~ Bradley, John Young Brown, Buckner, Samuel D. Burchard, William P. 

Caldwell, Caniller, Cason, Chapin, Chittenden. CochranP, Collins, Gowan, Crnpo, 

Culberson, De Uolt, Denison, Dobbins. Dunnell, Ellis, Ely, Fuller, Glover, Goode, 

Hale, Robert Hamilton, Hancock, Haralson. Henry R. HarriR. John T. Harris, 

Hartzell, Hatcher, Hathorn, Hays, Hendee, Henkle, Abram S, Hewitt, Hill, Hol- man, Hoskins, Hunt.er, Hurd, Hurlbut, Hyman, Jenks, Frank Jones, Kelley, La. mar, Franklin Landers, George M. Landers, Lea;enworth, LeMoyne, Milliken, 

Money, Neal, O'Brien, Odell, Oliver, Phelps, John F. Philips, Pratt., Purman, 

James B. Reilly, Sobieski Ross, Sampson, Sayler, Schumaker, Seelye, Smalls, Sout.hard, Sparks, Stowell, Swann, Tarbox, Martin I. Townsend, Waldron, Alexander 

S. Wallace, John W. Wallace, Walling, Warren, G. Wiley Wells, Wheeler, Whitehouse, Whiting, Wike, Andrew Williams, Alphens S. Williams, Charles G. Williams, William B. Williams, Willis, Wilshire, Alan Wood, jr., Fernando Wood, and 

W oodworth-100. 

So the motion was not agreed to. 

The question then recurred on the call of Mr. PIERCE for the yeas 

and nays upon the motion of Mr. ODELL that the Honse adjourn. 

The yeas and nays were ordered. 

T_he question was taken; and there were-yeas 2, nays 167, not 

votmg 116; as follows : · 

YEAS-Messrs. Douglas and Frye-2. · NAYS-Messrs. Adams, Ainsworth, .Anderson, Ashe, George A. Bagley, Ballou, 

Banks, Beebe, Blackburn, Blair, Bland, Boone, Bradfor<l, Bright, William R. Brown, 

Horatio C. Burchard, Burleigh, Cabell, John H. Caldwell, Campbell, Cannon, Caswell, CateC Carrltield, John B. Clarke of Kentucky, John B. Clark, jr., of Missouri, 

Clymer, ochrane, Conger, Cook, Cox, Qrounse, Cutler, Danford, Davis, Dibrell, 

Durand, Durham, Eames, Eden, E~rbm·t, Evans, Faulkner, Felton, Finley, Forney, 

Fort, Foster, Franklin, Freeman, Garfield, Gause, Goodin, Gunter, Hale, .Andrew 

H. Hanrilton, Hancock, Hardenbergh, llen,jamin W. Harris, Harrison, Hartridge, 

Haymonrl, Henderson, Hereford, G()ldsmith W. Hewitt, Hoar, Hopkins, House, 

Hubbell, Hunton:" Hurd, Hurlbut, Thoma-s L. Jones. Joyce, Kasson, Kehr, Kimball, 

Knott, Lane, Lapham, Lawrence, Levy, Lewis, Lorcl. Lynch. Lynde, Mackey, Ma. 

goon, Maish, MacDougall, Mc:Crary, McDill, McFarland, McMahon, Metcalfe, Mills, 

Monroo, Morgan, Morrison, Mutchij}r, Nash, New, Norton, O'Neill, Page, Pa:vne, 

Pieroo, Piper, Platt, PoJ?pletou, Potter, Powell, Rainey, Randall, Rea, Reagan, John 

Reilly, Rice, Rid<Ue, William M. Robbins, Roberts, Robinson, Miles Ross, Savage, Scales, Schleicher, Sheakley, Singleton, Slemons, Smalls, Spencer, Springfll', Strait, 

Stenger, Stevenson. Stone, Teese, Terry, Tbemas. Thompson, Thornburgh, Washin.!!ton Townsend, Tucker, Tufts, Turney, Van Vorhcs. John L. Vanoo, Waddell, 

Wait, Charles C. B. Walker, Gilbert C. Walker, Ward, Erastus Wells, White, 

Whiting, Whitthorne, Wigginton, Willard, Alpbeus S. Williams. James Williams, 

James D. Williams, Jerem1ah N. Williams, Wilshire, Benjamin Wilson, James Wil- son, Yeat.es, ancl Young-167. 

NOT VOTING.-:.Messrs. Abbott, Atkins, Bagby, John H. Ba"'ley, jr., John H. 

Baker, William H. Baker, Banning, Bru!sz ~11, .Bliss, Blount, BriKhey, John Young 

Brown, Buckner, Samuel D. Burchard, Wilfuun P. Caldwell, Candler, Cason, Chapin, 

Chittenden, Collins, Cowan; Crapo, Culberson, Darrall, Davy, De Bolt. Denjson, Dobbins, Dunnell, Ellis, Ely, Fuller, Gibson, Glover, Goode, Robert Hamilton, Haralson, 

Henry R Harris, John T. Harri.s, llartzell, Hatcher, Hathorn, Hays, Hendee, Henkle, 

AbramS. Hewitt, Hill. Hoge, Holman, Hooker, Hoskins, Hunter, Hyman, Jenks, 

Frank Jones, Kelley, Kin~. Lamar, :F'ranklin Landers, George M. Lanaers, Leavenworth, LeMoyne, Luttrell. Meatle, Miller, Milliken, Money, Neal, O'Brien, Odell, 

Oliver. Packer, Phelps, John F. Philips, William A. Phillip~, Plaisted, Pratt, Pur- man, James B. Reilly, John Robbins, Sobieski Ross, Rnsk, Sampson, Sayler, Schumaker, Seelye, Sinmckson, A. Herr Smith, William E. Smith, Southard, Sparks, Stowell, Swann, Tarbox. Throckmorton, Martin I. Townsend, Robert l::. Vance, 

Waldron, Alexander S. Wallace, John ,V. Wallace, Walling, Walsh, Warren, G. 

Wile.Y WeUs Wheeler, Whitehouse, Wike, Andrew Williams, Charles G. Williams, 

Will1am B. Williams, Willis, Alan Wood, jr., Fernando Wood, Woodburn, and 

Woodworth-116. 

So the motion to adjourn wa.a not agreed to. 

During the roll-call the following announcements were made: 

Mr. HOU~E. My colleague, Mr. ATKINS, has been called away from 

the Honse on account of sickness. 

:Mr. HARTRIDGE. My colleague, Mr. SMITH, of Georgia, is absent on account of sickness in his family. If he were here he would vote 

"no." 

Mr. CONGER. My colleague, Mr. WALDRON, is absent by leave of 

the Honse. If present he would vote "no," I think. 

The result of the vote was announced as above stated. 

Mr. KASSON. I desire to ask the gentleman from Missouri [Mr. 

BLAND] whether he still insists on refusing to allow amendments to 

be offered f 

Mr. BLAND. There are two amendments pending; one is to strike 

out the fourth section; and the other to strike out that provision of 

the bill which proposes to make silver coin a legal tender for duties on imports. On the bill with those amendments I demand the previous 

question. • _ 

Mr. KASSON. I still ask the gentleman whether he will allow us to offer amendments f 

Mr. BLAND. I did make such an offer, but--

Mr. PIERCE. I rise to a privileged question. I move to reconsider 

the vote by which the House refused to agree that when it adjourns 

it will adjourn to meet on 'fh ursday next. 

Mr. KASSON. That is right. If we can have no opportunity for 

amendment, we cannot con sent to have this bill acted on. The question being taken on the motion of Mr. PIERCE, there 

were-ayes 33, noes 43; no quornm voting. 
'5324 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. AUGUST 8, 

Tellers were ordered; and Mr. PIERCE and Mr. BLAND were appoin1td. · · Mr. BLAND. I ask unanimous consent to make a statement. I 

will yield for any amendment which the gentleman from Iowa [Mr. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Pennsylvania moves that the House resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union, and that motion must be put to the House. 

KASSOS] desires to offer. (Cries of "Regular order."] I want it un- SU~"'DRY CIVIL APPROPRIATION BILL. 

derstood that I will yield to allow tho gentleman from Iowa to offer Mr. HALE. I rise to a privileged motion. 

amendment!;. The SPEAKER pro tempore. 1.'1le gentleman willatate it. 

Mr. KASSON. I am asking for the right of all members of the mi- :Mr. HALE. I call up the motion to reconsider the vote by which 

norit.y to offor amendment8. the President's message was referred to the Committee on ApprouriMany M.EI\IBERS. ["Regular order!"] ations and ordered to be printed, and upon that I wish to be heard. 

Mr. BLAND. I will say that I am willing to yield for amend- Before I go on, however, I give notice that before the end of the hour 

menta--. • I will, by arrangement, yield to the gent]eman from Pennsylvania, 

The SPEAKER pro tempore, (Mr. CLYMER.) The regular order is [Mr. RANDALL,] who will afterward take charge of the motion as the 

called for; and the gentleman from .Missouri [Mr. BLAjD] will take chairman of the Committee on Appropriations. 

his place as a teller. Mr. HOLMAN. Is this t.be regular order of business T 

Tile House diTided; and the tellers reported-ayes 11, noes 66; no The SPEAKER p1·o tmnpore. It is a privileged motion. 

quorum voting. Mr. YEATES. What is the motion f 

Mr. SA VAGB. I move a call of the House. The SPEAKER pro tentpore. The gentleman from Maine calls up 

Mr. BLAND. I ask unanimous consent to make a statement. the motion to reconsider the vote by which the President's message l Cries of "Regular order!''] was referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered to oe The question being taken. on the motion of Mr. SAVAGE, there were- printed, and is entitled to the floor for one hour. 

ayes 23, noes 37. Mr. HALE. Let me say to gentlemen of the Honse, wllile there was Several MEMBERS. "Further count I" anything seemingly important pending, while there was any actual 

Tellers were ordered; and Mr. SAVAGE and Mr. PIERCE were ap- business, I did not seek t-o obtrude this matter. Having charge of it point~d. all the time, I deem this tho moat suitable time to oall it up, and I 

The Honse divided; and the tellers reported--:ayes 23, noes 49. propose now to proceed with what I have to say. 

So the mot.ion for a call of the House was not agreed to. Mr. BANNING. Will the gentleman yield to meT 

Mr. KASSON. Mr. Speaker, has the morning boUl' expired T Mr. HALE. My friend from Massachusetts asked me to yiela. to 

Mr. BLAND. I wish to state that I am willing to allow such amend- him. 

ments to the bill as gentlemen may desire to offer. . Mr. BANNING. I ask tl1e gentleman to yield to me in reference to 

The SPEAKER pro le?npo1·e. Upon the point made by the gentle- m por tant business. If he will let me state it he will see that it is man from Iowa [Mr. KAsso~ ] it is the duty of the Chair to announce m portant. It is in reference to supplying scouts--

that the morning ltour has expired. :Mr. CLARK, of Missouri. I ask the gentleman to yield to me a m<1-

11r. SAVAGE. I make the point that., without regard to the lapse . ment. 

of sixty minut.es, the moming hour does not expire till some business Mr. WIDTE. I hope the gentleman from Maine will not take me of higher privilege interven&~. off the floor until I have finished my explanation. 

Tho SPEAKER pro tempore. The point taken by the gentleman Mr. HALE. I see 1 shall have to yield my whole time if I yield t-o 

fi·om Ohio [Mr. SAVAGEJ is sustained by the Chair, that tile inter- one, and therefore I rnnst go on. vention of some business of higher privilege is necessary to terminate Mr. RANDALL. I hope the gentleman from Maine will be allowed 

the mornlnJ{ hour. · to proceed without interruption. 

Mr. BLAND. As I have said, I am. willing that gentlemen shall The SPEAKER p!'o tentpore. The gentleman from Maine is entitled 

offer snch amendments as they desire to this bill. to the floor on the motion to reconsider, and will proceed. 

Mr. KASSON. I demand the regular order. - Mr. HALE. Mr. Speaker, I propose, as certain short-comings of t.bis 

The SP.EAJ{};R p1·o tcmpo·re, (Mr. SA'l'LER in the chair.) There is House bavo been referred to in t.he message of the President, to review uo regular onler, ·nnlcsesome superior motion is made. somo of the incidents and events of this session of tho House of R~pre-

·Mr. GARl'IELD. I move that the House proceed to the considera- sentatives. I am all the more inclined to this duty, sir, because upon 

tion of the bnsiness on the Speaker's table. Tuesday last tho gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. LAMAR] declared 

Mr. BLAND. I do not yield to any such motion. 1 am willing to that there is a wide and general dissatisfaction with tho republican 

yield to allow gentlemen to offer all the amendments they want to. : party throughout the conn try, and that the people demanded a change. 

Tl1c SPEAKER pro tempore. The motion of the gentleman from While Jistening to that declaration, I thought of the counter-blast of 

Ohio is that tile House proceed to the business on the Speaker's table. Carl Schurz, who says lately that whatever may be the errors of the 

:Mr. BLAND. Does the motion to go to tile business on the Speak- republican party, it is very clear that democracy affords no relief. 

er's table take me off the floor! Luckily t-he present House of Representatives gives us the chance to 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The morning hour has terminated by judge of democracy, not by its promises, but by its performances. 

the motion to ~o to business on the Speaker's table. It is a superior That party carried the country in the half revolution which swept 

motion and ism order at this time. over the country in 1874. To all appearance it had the popular 

Mr. BLAND. Have I not the right to raise -the question of consid- voice behind it. It secured almost two-thirds of the members uporation T on this floor, thus giving to it almost irresistible power to drive 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The only question before the House through any needed and justly desired reform, should it take upon 

is the motion to go to the business upon tile Spea-ker's table. its shoulders any such measure. It bad to all appearance, I say, the 

Mr. BLAND. I hope that motion will be voted down. popular voice to sustain it. Democracy was llere in such strength 

The SPEAKER pro ten1p01·e. The House can vote it down if it that whatever wise measnres it should propose for actual relief to 

wants to. any suffering interest, there never baa been a time when it could not 

The motion was disagreed to. against all objections in other quarters drive both the Senate and the 

Mr. BLAND. I insist on my motion for the previool\ question on Executive into consona11t action. For, Mr. Speaker, it has never t.he silver bjll. been, and I venture to predict will never be the case, that the popular 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The morning hour has· expired. branch of the American Congress, when it is committed to any just 

Mr. WHI1'E. I ask unanimous consent to tv.ke up the following measure of 'refori)J, any: wide-reachin~ policy that meets with• apbill for consideration and put it on its passage at this time-- proval from the people, can be stayed etther by the Senate or by the 

Mr. BLAND. Is tllat ot any higher privilege than my demand for Execumve. In that regard, whenever that question and that time 

the previous question 1 shall be reached, .American history will duplicate English history, and 

The SPEAKER pro tent71ore. Certainly not; but the Chair will state it will be found, as it should be found, that with the House arrayed 

to the gentleman from Mis-1onri that the morning hour bas expired, for the right, and the Senate or the Executive arrayed for the wrong, 

1bat it necessari1yexpired on the making of the motion to go to bqsi- the Senate or the Executive must and will yield. ness on t:lle Speaker's table. The morning llour having expired, the The dominant party in the House of Representatives had such an .gent.lemau cannot get back to the morning hour to-day in any way opportunity afforded it when it assembled on the first Monday of De-

• the Chair-knows of. cember last as no party has ever llad. The whole country was intent 

· Mr . . HOLMAN. I demand the regular order of business. upon tlle action of that party fo:t the coming session. It bad been 

The SPEA.l{f'ZR pro tempore. What is the regular order of business. sent here upon certain promises of reform in directions that affected 

Mr: HOLMAN. It is the gentleman's bill. • the living interests of the people-the question of civil service reform, _ TheSPEAKERp1·otempore. No,forthatisintberuorninghour,and the question of relief from t axation, the question of finance and 

the mornjng hour has expired. the currency, and other broad general questions-upon nono of which 

Mr. CLYMER. I move tbat the rules be suspended and tbe House that party failed to promise largely in the canvass, that resulted in its 

:resolve itself into the Committee of the ·whole on t he state of the success. In December last its promises matured, and it wa-s con- Union. fronted witll pay-day. 

:Ur. WHITE. I am sure there will be no objection to the bill I ask Now, Mr. Speaker, I have no time to speak at Jength of the spectabe put npon its passage if it is properly undel'stood. 1.'here was only cle that Washino-t-on City presented to the country at the dato of the one objection marle t-o it on tl.Je Private Calendar, and the gentleman assembling of lhi.s Congress. There were t-o be distributed by t.be 

who made that objection now withdraws it, as it was made by him dominant party in the _House in all perhaps three bumhed offices, 

ouder wis3pprellension. reckoning from the page upon the floor and the folder below np to 

! 
1876. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. 

the Speakership and Clerkship of the House. And every: gentleman 

here remembers that the city was crowded in its streets, that the 

hotels and the corridors of the House were thronged, and that for 

every place a hundred. hungry applicants presented th~~lyes here 

clamorinu and scramblmg for the good places and1 failmg m them, 

for the s~all places. The House was organized and. the work of the 

headsman began at once. Now, I appeal to any member upon this 

floor who was here in tho last Congress to look over tho places attached to this Honse, and which fell under the control of democ~y 

under the promise of a civil-service reform, and see how many famthar 

faces he {}iscovers, faces that were here in the last Congress. Two or three only arrest my attention. One gent~eman _i~ t~e Cl~rk's offi~ 

is allowed to remain there because of his familtanty With certam 

financial details and the difficulty of filling his place. The payin~­

teller in the Sergeant-at-Arms's office, is left, and here and there 1s 

spared as a monument of tho past, an old soldier attending oar doors. 

All of the rest have been ruthlessly submitted to the ax of the heads- man have been turned out and others put in their places. . M;. SPRINGER. There are more Union soldiers in the employ of 

this House than were in the employ of the last Honse. 

Mr. HALE. I have heard that statement before. I do not accept 

it as true; my figures are diff«~rent Iiow. 

.Mr. RUSK. Soldiers of which armyf 

Mr. SPRINGER. Soldiers who were in the Union service. 

Mr. HALE. This was a specimen of civil-service reform with a venO'eance. But it had one advantage, and my friends on the other 

side0were entitled to that advantage. It disembaiTassed the party in 

control. It left the Honse in the hands of its friends. And looking on and remembering how his party promised reform in political methods and moderation whenever it should be placed in power, it may 

be that Governor Tilden interpreted the n.ction of his party as the fulfillment of its promises, and therefore in his letter of acceptance en- · eourages the faithful followers of civil-service teform in these ingenious words: 

The public interest in an honest, skillful perfol"Ill3nce of officiAl trust must not be sa.ciiftced to thll usufruct of the incumbents. 

I fancy that we are likely to hear something of the "usufruct of the 

incumbents" as a political evil should the presidential election go 

democratic. 

B nt I mns +;follow the coUllle of the House. The Speaker was elected 

and appoint,ed his com!llittees, and just .here was a m_ost serious 

outcroppiuO' of what m1ght. be expected m the future If the elections of u?/4 be repeated in 1876. It had been predicted, it had 

been feared, that a democratic triumph meant the restorai ion to power 

of that e!ement in ' he democratic party which carried the country 

into civil war and mainta ned that war for four cruel, tragic, desolating years. There w~ throughout the country~ f.'TOwing suspicio.n 

that this was a threaterungdanger. T.b.e democra.t1c leaders knew this 

feeling of apprehension in the country; they have always denied it, 

and there ha.ve been hero and elsewhere many protestations of modesty from gentlemen representing t~a~ el~meut in t~e .democratic 

party, that with them there was no ex1stm~ mten t of gammg the con- tl·ol of the Government through the control of the democratic party. 

The gentleman from :Mississippi [Mr. LArtiA.R) in his speech declared-! do not use his exact words-that if any man believed that 

there was any danger of the South getting control of 1-he democratic 

party or th? country, it was a h~llucination which obseryation and a little expenence would surely dispel. I do not quote his language, 

but the spirit. of his statement. 

Now, the Speaker of this Honse sat in that chair, th~ represe•tative 

of the whole part.ythat harlmadehim Spoaker. He it was who could 

feel his party's pulse and measure its demands. As I have always believed he is a very fair man; a man who will endeavor under any circur~stances to do what he believes is right, withal an intense party 

man, and one who, instead of setting himself in the way of a pronounced demand by his party, would seek to answer that demand • . Bis first duty was to organize the committees of this Honse and to 

appoint t.heir chairmen. This is one of the most delicate duties intrusted to the Speaker of the House. The legislation of the country 

is shaped in the committee-rooms. The voice of the committee is 

uttered bv its chairman. His influence is largely potential; he rflp-

:resents the essential interests committed to his committee, and aside 

from his membership is looked upon by the country, if he be a man of 

prominence, as the indication of the policy to be pursued by the com- mittee on matters submitted to -it. These chairmanships a.re the 

highest honors that the Spea.ker can confer. They are greatly desired 

by the ablest men in the House. 

Now I have here a list of the committees of the Forty-"fonrth Congress, with the chairman of eaeh and the section and State from 

which he comes. I ha.ve taken the thirty-three old standing com- mittees of the House, who do its work, who shape legislation, who 

give tone and character to all that we do here. 

Cornnlittees of tlle Forty-jou1·th Co11greBB with soutluwn cltai1'111en. 

Elections, Mr. Harris, of Virginia. 

Pacific Railroad, .Mr. Lamar, of Mississippi. 

Cla.ims, Mr. Bright, of Tennessee. · Commerce, .Mr. Hereford, of \Vest Vh·ginia. 

Post-Office and ~oot-Roads, Mr. Clark, of Missouri. 

District of Columbia, Mr. Buckner, of Missouri. 

Judiciary, Mr. Knott, of Kentucky. 

Pnblic Expenditures,: Mr. Milliken, of Kentucky. 

Private Land Cl<tJims, Mr. Gunter, of Arkansas. 

Manufadures, Mr. Stone, of Missouri. 

Agriculture, Mr. Caldwell, of Alabama. 

Indian Affairs, Mr. Scales, of North Carolina. 

Naval Affairs, Mr. Whitthorne, of Tennessee. 

Foreign Affairs, :Mr. Swann, of .Marylaml . Revolutionary Pensions, Mr. Hunton, of Virginia. 

Railways and Ca.nals, Mr. Jones, of Kentnqky. 

Mines a.nd :Mining, Mr. Bland, of Missouri. 

Education and Labor, Mr. _Walker, of Virginia. 

Revision of the Laws, Mr. Durham, of Kentucky. . . Coina,Te, Wei~hts, and Measures, Mr. Stephens, of Georgta. 

Patents, ·Mr. Vance, of North Carolina. 

Committees tvith northern chairmen. 

Ways and Means, Mr. Morrison, of illinois. 

Appropriations, Mr. Randall, of Pennsylvania. 

Banking and Currency, Mr. Cox, of New York. 

Public Lands, Mr. Sayler, of Ohio. 

War Claims, Mr. Eden, of Illinois . Military Aft'airs, Mr. Banning, of Ohio. 

Militia, Mr. Cowan, of Ohio. 

Territorir..s, Mr. Southard, of Ohio. 

Invalid Pensions, Mr. Jenks, of Pennsylvania. 

Public Buildings and Grounds, Mr. Holman, of Indiana. 

Accounts, Mr. WiTiiams, of Indiana. 

Library, .Mr. Clymer, of Pennsylvania. 

In this list I have not taken into account either the small and heretofore unknown committee on expenditures of the different Depart. 

ments nor the special committees. I take the old standing committees, who always have done and will do the important work of the 

Honse of Representatives. . . . Here it is seen that of these thtrty-three committees orgamzed by 

the Speaker in the first month of this ~ssion, twent:y--one are put into 

the hands of gentlemen from the sectwn lately ·hostile to the Government and which it is claimed is not seeking to arrogate power in the demo~ratic party; while upon the other side are but twelve committees given to the entire Northern States. 

And these twenty-one committees that are so in.trusted are no~ ob- scure committ.ees. I find among them the Committee of Elections., 

the first on the list, a committee that largely controls and shapes the 

meml>ership of this House. The Committee of Claims, nth all of 

the responsibility of dealing justly w!th. good cl~s and ~et of protecting the Treasury from bad. oues, 1s m the hst. The I!fiportant 

Committee on Commerce, tr~atmg some of ~he largest snb.J.ect~ that 

the American people deal w1th. The Committee for the D1stri~t of 

Columbia; the Committee on theJU(liciary, the great law comnuttee 

of the Honse; the Committee on ~rivate Land. Claim~ i, the Committee on Manufactures; .the Commtttees on Indmn Affatrs, on ~aval Affairs, on Foreign Affairs, on Railways and Can~ls, on ~es 

a.nd Mining, on Edncation and Labor, and · other committees are m- trusted to southern men. A.nd in this first act of the democratic party through its Speaker, 

indicating where in the future power mnst be lodged if ~hat party 

obtains control of the Government, I find that the seet10n of the 

country from which I come, New England, ~ltbough she felt then;-

vulsion in 1874 and elected a large delegatiOn of democrats to thiB 

Congress was not awarded a single chairmanship; while Kentucky 

Jtas fonr,'Missonri aa many, Virginia three, and other southern States 

several each. 

I have here an old Directory of Congress in th'e days before the war, 

and I have looked it over to see how committees were apportioned 

then and I do not find the South more strongly intrenched than now 'under the Speaker of this House acting at the dictation· of his 

party at the beuinning of the Forty-fourth Congress. Yet wo are to 

be lulled by thg talk which we h~ar that there is.no dange~ of ~he southern element in the democratic party controllmg and diCtatmg 

its course in the future. Bearing upon this and showing how closely 

most of these prominent gentlemen were connected with t~e "lost 

cause," I give a li~t of the members of thisCongr~ss who were Ill some way associated wtf.h the "confederacy." The hst has been made np 

from the Congressional Directory. 

.Rebel officers in Congress. 

Name&. States. 

BEN!.TORS. 

1. Goldt-hwaite ....... ............ . Alabama ....... . 2. Jones ......................... Florida ........ . 3. Gordon ....... ...... ........... Geor~a. ....... . 4. Alcorn ........................ Mississippi.~ .. . 5. Cockrell . • . . . . • . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . Missour1 ....... . 6. Ransom ..••.• -··· ............. North Carolina .. 7. Key ........................... Tennessee .... .. 8. Maxey ........................ Texas ....•••... . 

9. Wtthers ....................... Virginia ....... . 

Rank. 

Adjnt.ant-genera1. 

Bri~adier general. 

MaJor-~eneral. 

Brigadi.er-generlll. 

Major-generaL 

Maior·~reneral. 

Lieutenant-colonel. 

Major-general and Rnperintendent Ind.ian atra.ire. 

ColoneL 
5326 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. AUGUST 8, 

Rebel ojftcers in Congress-Continued. 

Names. 

REPRESENTATIVES. 

10. Willhms .................... . 11. Bradford ..................... . 12. Hayes ....................... . 13. Hewitt ...................... .. 14. Forney ............ . .......... . 15. Lewis ....................... . 16. Gause ........................ . 17. Slemons ....................... . 18. Gunter ....................... . 19. Smith ........................ .. 20. Hartrtdge .................. .. 21. Cook ........................ . 22. Hill ........................ -- 23. Black burn ................... . 24. Gibson ....................... . 25. Ellis .......................... . !lli. Levy ....................... . 27. Lamar ................ . ...... . 28. Hooker ...................... . 29. Franklin ..................... . 30. Clark ......................... . 3l. Yeates ....................... . 32. Waddell ...................... . 33. Davis ........ ~ ................ . 34. Scales ........................ .. 35. Robbins ...................... . . 36. Vance ........................ .. 37. Dibrell ........................ . 38. Whitthorne .................. . 39 • .Atkins ........................ . 40. Young ....................... . 4L. Culberson ..................... . 42. Throckmorton ................ . 

:t &~;~l~::: ::::::::::::::::::::: 

45. Tucker ........................ . 46. Hunton ....................... . 

:~: ~:~{~~~·:::::::::::.:::::::::: 

States. Rank. 

Alabama .••.... . Major. Alabama....... Uolonel. 

Alabama....... . B1·igadier-general. 

Alabama . • • . . . . . Colonel. 

Alabama. . . . . . . . Brigadier-general. 

Alabama . . . . . . . Colonel. 

Arkansas ....... Colonel. 

Arkansas....... Brigadier-general 

Arkan11&8. ... . . . Colonel. 

Georgia . . . . . . . . Captain. Georgia . . . . . . . Colonel. 

' 

Georgia . . . . . . . . Major-generaL Georgia . . . . . . . Colonel recruiting service. 

Kentucky...... Lieutenant-colonel 

Louisiana....... Brigadier-general. 

Louisiana . . . . . . . Captain. 

Louisiana....... Colonel. 

Mississippi . . . . Col. and minister to Russia. 

M!ssissippi . . . . . Colonel. ~sso~........ Uaptall:t. Missoun........ Brigadier-generaL 

North Carolina.. Major. North Carolina .. · Lieuwnant-colonel. 

North Carolina .. Captain. 

North Carolina.. B1igadier-general. North Ca1·olina .. ColoneL 

North Uarolina. . Bri~ier-general. 

Tennessee . . . . . . Brlgailier-gencrnL 

Tennessee . . . . . . A<ljut.ant-general. 

Tennessee . . . . . Colonel. 

Tennessee . . . . . . Colonel. 

Texas .. . .. .. . . . Colonel. 

Texas . . . . . . . . . Brigadier-general. Virginia ....... . Ma;or. 

v~~!Jl~a . . . . . . . . ~olon~l. 

V~r~n~a . . . . . . . . Uapta1~. 

Vugm1a . . • . . . . . llr1gadier-general. 

Virginia . . . . . .. . BI i~adier-general. 

West Virginia.. AliJntant-[eneral and minister to .Hance. ' 49. Reagan . • . • • • .. • . .. • . . .. . . . .. . Texas .. .. .. .. . . Brigadier-general and postmaster-general. 

50. Goode .......................... Vi_rgi~ ....... Colonel. 51. Hatcher...... .. .. • • . . . . . . . . . . . MiS~Wurt . . . . . . . . ColoMl. 52. Singleton .. . . .. .. • .. . . .. . . .. .. . .M.h!sissippi . .. .. Inspector-general. 53. Honse ......................... . Tennessee ...... MaJor. 

EX-MlWBEBS OF REBEL GOVERNHE..""T. 

54. Stephens ...................... . 

till~~-~-::::::::::::::::::::::: : 55. Caperton ...................... . 56. Ashe .......................... . Rouse ......................... . Goode ......................... . 57. Smith ......................... . Hatcher ...................... . 

58. ~~~~~li: ::::::::··:::::: :::::: 

59. Norwood ...................... . 60. Candler ...................... . Tucker ...................... . Culberson . .................... . '61. Harris ...................... .. Slemons ........................ . Gunter ....................... . Lame.r ........................ . Dibrell ........................ . Hunton ....................... . Faulkner ..................... . Harris ....................... . Maxey ....................... .. 

MElffiERS OF CONGRESS DEFORE RE· 

DELLION. 

~~~~~~:: ::::::::::::::::::::. ~:fa:~~.::::::::::::::::::::: . Atkins ...................... .. 

J:aJ:ei:: ::::::::::::::: :::~: : 

Georgia ........ . 'l'exas ... -...... . Georgia ....... . West Virginia .. North Carolina .. Tennessee ..... . ~irgil!ia ...... . Geor~L'\ ...... , . . Missouri . ...... . Mississippi .... . Alabama ...... . 

~~~ :::::::. Vtrgtma. ...... . Texas ......... . Georgia ........ . Arkansas . ..... . Arkansas ...... . Mis;;issippi ... . Tennessee ..... . Virginia . ...... . West, Vir~i.nia . . West Virginia .. Texas ......... . 

Georgia ........ . Mississippi .... . Mississippi . . . . North Carolina 

Tennessee ..... . Texas ........ . We~t Virginia .. 

Harris ...... -· . . .. . . • . . .. . . . . .. Virginia ....... . 

Vice-president. 

Postmaster-general. 

Senator. 

Senator. 

Senator. 

Representative. 

Representative. 

Representative. 

Representative. 

Representative. 

~o\icitor-generaL 

State Legislature. 

State Legislature. 

A. torney-~eneral. 

State Legislature. 

State Legislature. 

State Legislature. 

Stat-e Legislature. Minister to Russia. 

State Legislature. State Legislature. 

Minister to France. 

State Le~slature. 

Supt. Inaian affairs. 

Thirty-sixth Congress. Thirty-sixth Congress. Thirty-sixth Congress. T~rty-tlfth Congress. 

Tbll'ty-fifth Congress. Thirty-sixth Congress. 

Thirty-second to Thirty- sixth Congresses. 

Thirty·sixtli Congress. 

In the same direction was the course pursued in the various offices 

about the House. 

Perhaps there is nothiog that illustrates these two propositions, 

first, the promise of civil-service reiorm, and then the denial that the 

South is gradually absorbing the democratic party, than that presented by the post-office of this House, where a clean sweep was made. 

In the Forty-third Congress the Postmaster was a Union soldier, 

who hacllost a leg at Kenesaw. 

But I will give the lists for both the Forty-third and Forty-fourth 

Congresses : 

Henry Sherwood. Postmaster, entered the service in the Second Michigan Cavalry early in the war. He was in all the battles in the Wet!t, from PeiTysville to the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, in 1864, and lost a leg at the fight at Lattimer's 

"Mill, on the left of Kenesaw. 

Joseph F. Wilson, assistant postmaster, entered the service from lllinois, and in one of the battles of the war had his lower jaw entirely shot away. 

Francis A. Wardell entered the service in 1861, in a Massachusetts regiment, and was totally disabled by wounds received at the battle of Winchester, Virginia, September 19, 1864. 

J. H. Paine entered the Army from Ohio, and served honorably dnring the war. R. S. Bishop served in a Michigan regiment during the war, and had his ann shot 

away by a rebel bullet. 

R. S. McMichael, while in service in a Wisconsin regiment, nearly lost his 'eye- sight in the honorable discharge of his duty. 

D. B. Bradley enlisted in a \Viseonsin regiment in 1861, and was honorably discharged November, 1864. . 

A. M. Legg, from New York, served during the war in our Navy. 

C. M. Thomas, Iowa; J. H. Lytle and W. B. Ses ions, New York: J.D. Sernn 

and n: F. Bishop, Pennsylvania; and Cripti Palmon~ District of Columbia, were appointed from civil life. . The employ6s of the Forty-fourth Congt'ess are as follows: 

James M. Stewart, Postmaster, from Virginia, was captain in the rebel army, and 

served with J. E. B. Stuart's raiding cavalry. 

Edgar Snowden, assistant postmaster, from Virginia, was a press correspondent in the rebel army. 

G. W. Rock, Virginia, served in the rebel army. 

G. W. Kennedy, Virginia, served in the rebel ::mny. 

A. W. C. Nowlin, Vrrginia, served in the rebel army. 

W. H. Robertson, Virginia, served in the r.ebel army. 

J. R. Fisher, Virginia, served in the rebel army. 

W. B. Lowry, Virginia, served in the rebel army. 

E. C. Glass, Virginia, served in the rebel army. 

The other employ6s are Richard Allen, Virginia; Edward Estes, New York, who 

took the modified oath. · 

I must touch lightly upon this matter of the outside organization 

of the House. . Here and there individual cases attract attention and deserve men- tion, both as showing removals without cause and also showing the 

very superior order of merit introduced by the party just taking possession of the House. For instance we had an old journal clerk, a venerable and accomplished man, who had sat at that desk for thirty 

years, who had been· adopted by a republican administration sixteen 

years ago, who had sat there as a come-over from a democratic administration. He is a marvel to-day of intelligence and accuracy 

upon parliamenta-ry law, and was nevermore needed in this House in 

tho interests of correct legislation than at a time when new bands 

took the reins. I refer of course to Mr. Bocclay. Dut short shrift was given to him; and there was substituted for bim a pronounced 

democrat; and in a. little wbJ..le my friends on the other side found as one result of their "civil-service reform" in displacing this veteran 

that the new incumbent was thriftily putting himself in a position to 

make merchandise of the important pla-ce that he held here. 

Mr. HARRISON. Will the gentleman allow me a single moment f 

Mr. HALE. I find that my time is being consumed so fast that I am afraid I shall not be able to yield any time to the gentleman 

from Illinois. 

Mr. HARRISON. Mr. Barchy resigned. . l 

Mr. HALE. We all know about his resignation. 

Mr. HARRISON. Why did you not state it f 

Mr. HALE. I will st .. ·\te it. 

Mr. FRANKLIN. You said he wa'3 displaced. 

Mr. HALE. I say again that he was displaced. When Mr. Barclay found that such was the clamor and push for office upon the 

Clerk of this House for his place as well as all others, and that his 

removal was imminent, he resigned, and that will not be denied. 

Mr. HARRJ.SON. It is denied. 

Mr. HALE. He resigned in order that he might show his own selfrespect, as it waa very proper he should do. 

Mr. HARRISON. It is positively denied. 

Mr. RANDALL. I wish to correct one statement of the gentleman. 

Mr. Barclay resigned of his own voluntary accord; aud I think I a.m. authorized t.o s...1ry that the Clerk of the House never had any disposition to remove him. 

Mr. WHITE. May I ask the gentleman from PennsylvaniaYr. HALE. I cannot yield furt,her. It wa.s well understood at the 

time why Mr. Barclay resigned. I wish to do no injustice to our Clerk 

who has these subordinate officers in charge. The general system of 

removals showed that nobody would be spared. Mr. Barclay was intimately associated with certain gentlemen at the Clerk's desk whom 

he wished to remain if he remained 'l.nd so stated his desire, as I un- derstand, to Mr. Adams, the Clerk. He felt that assurances bad been 

given to him in authoritative quarters that these gentlemen should be 

retained, and when they were all removed both the desire to remain waa gone and also any confidence as to his own much further retention. The way is not important. The journal clerk went out under 

the system followed here. 

The new journal clerk who had been put in hy this "reform" 

House was not a great success. He had borne a good reputation, I 

learn, before he came into office, bnt before many weeks it was found 

that, important and delicate as were his duties, he having in charge 

the Journal of the Hoose which records our legislation, he had put 

himself in communication with claims and claim agent-s throughout 

the country and proposed to make profit of his position by getting 

control of certain claims which were before this House and which depended upon the paasage of certain legislation. So my friends on the other side were not able to keep him. 

Mr. HARRISON. And he wa.s from a State bordering upon that of 

the gentleman from Maine. 

Mr. HALE. ~e was from a Staw that had a strong and belligerr 
1876. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. 5321 

ent democracy, which claimed him as their representative and sent 

him here to fill an important office. 

The following memorandum has been given to me as to the assistant journal clerk whom our reforming friends put into Mr. Clayton's 

place: 

Flanagan, assistant journal clerk, legislated out Jtine 30, was tried by court- martial, of which Governor Hayes was president, in 64, for resisting dritft and 

encouraging desertion, as edit~r of an Ohio paper, found guilty, sent to Fort Del- aware; which decision waR affirmed by General Hooker; and when the war closed 

be was serving out his sentence. 

Here are some of the other officers who in a few weeks were proven 

unfit. I notice them because of the claim tliat bad men are to be 

put out of office and good men put in: 

The clerk of 1he Committee on Military Affairs. 

The clerk of the Committee of Ways and Means. 

The Doorkeeper of the Honse. 

There were other lesser offices, but I give no time to them. 

The clerk of the Committee of Ways and Means was the now rather 

notorious James P. Hambleton. The place is very important. The 

clerk possesses all the secretsof this most important committee; se- crets sometimes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to desperate men interested upon the subjects COJlsidered in the committee, which reverses and re-arranges our tariff laws and all revenue laws at its 

pleasure. Mr. Hambleton was, I think, forced upon the chairman of 

the committee by other influence. He bad been a lobbyist here for some years, and, it was charged, had been a blackmailer on northern 

merchants before the war. But a well-proved act of his showing 

pronounced sympathy with the most lamentable and tragic act in our history, the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, aroused the news- paper press and particularly the New York Tribune, and my friend 

from lllinois, [Mr. MORRISON,] the chairman of the committee, re- moved him, and removed him, I have no doubt, willingly on learning 

all the facts. 'fo show something of the cbaract.er of the parties I 

will have read the following from the New York Tribune: 

TURN BACK THE HANDB.-MR. HAMBLETON DEMANDS PROOFS.-A LETTER FROM THE 

DEMOCRATIC CLERK OF THE W AYB AND MEANS COMMITTEE. 

To th~ editor of the Trilnl.ne: 

Sm: Judging from your article of this date, you seem determined not to receive 

a.ny statement or explanation as satisfactorr. It sometimes happens that "a. man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still." In reply to your :first on- slan~ht I a.uthorize<l your chief correspondent in this city to say that I never bad a chilu or anything else name<:l "John Wilkes Booth." That dlspatch appeared in 

the Tribune as my authorized statement, and t.he Tribune also, in the same issue, made editorially (in minion type) a quasi retraction. Since that date the Tribune r~>iterates the charge, but presents no proofs. I now say tor the last time that the 

allegation is false and malicious, and if the Tribune baa or can get any proof that I, or any member of my: family, e¥er named a child John Wilkes Booth, we say give it to the public without delay. Who are your witnesses and what are they T It is an easy matter for an editor-especially one who fought four years to save the Unionin his retiracy-~lowing with patriotic ardor, to mdite gushing philippics over the 

grave of a. dead mfant. But it is another thing to produce facts that sustain such a course. This crusade of the anti-democratic pre.<~s against i,be clerk of the Committee of Ways and Means is not only unfounded in truth, hut it is partisan and 

malicious, and is the smallest and most contempt !ble episode in the history of 

American politics. The Tribune has been imposed upon by the envious and the 

malignant ; its patriotic indignation bas been lashed into a rage at the sight of a Quaker gun-nothing more, nothing less. 

Tho Tribune may also be gratified to know that the clerkship of the Committee 

of Ways and Means is a matter of small considera.tioq to its present incumbent. 

The clerk was appointed on the sole recommendation of prominent democrats who 

bad served long and faithfully on this committee, and while the chairman is not responsible for my appointment yet my resignaLion has always been subject to his 

will and pleasure. Will the Tribune suggest to the chairman of the Committee of 

Ways and Means some suitable gentleman for his clerk, after learning that he bas a familv and what he has named his children¥ No mistakes should be made. In 

conclu8lon, we ask the Tribune if there is anything in either of the new amend- ments of the Constitution, the reconstruction acts, acts of Congress, proclamations, or military o'rders that prohibits a man from naming a child anything be chooses ~ 

"We are in our father's house," and will never knowingly violate any law or anything done in pursuance thereof. We shall never invade, under any pretext, the 

domestic circle or the graves of innocents. 

JAMES P. HAMBLETO:N, 

Clerk of Committee of Ways and Means. W ABIIDIGTON, D. C., February 8, 1876. 

P. S.-If there is any additional statem.ent you desire to make, please prepare it, 

and inclose it to your regular Washingt~n oorre8p(>ndent, that I may comply, if 

possible, with your patriotic demands. 

MR. HAMBLETON ACCOllMODATED. 

{From the Washington Patriot, Monday, July E, 1872.] 

DIED. 

J.P. H. 

HAMBLETO!'l.-At the Exchange Hotel, Washington, D. C., on the morning of 

July 3, 1872, at 10 minutes past seven, of inflammation of the brain, John W. B. 

Hambleton, aged 6 yearn, 3 months, and 17 (lays, youngest son of James P. and 

Martha L. Hambleton, of Atlant.a, Ga. 

The case of Doorkeeper Fitzhugh is so well known that I need 

not give it much time. He was the" bigger man" than Grant. He 

had been brought here before the democratic caucus because he had 

been either doorkeeper or sergeant-at-arms of the confederate house 

of representatives dming the war, and that was not a claim to be 

disregarded. · That was a claim with my friends on the other side so overtowering that it was not asked, "Is be honest T" it waa Iiot 

asked, ''Can he spell!" it was not asked, "Can he write T" it was not 

a-sked, "Is he fitted by attainments and experience for this important placeT" But because of his "war record," I suppose, he distanced 

all competitors in the caucus. , 

Mr. HARRISON. As soon as we found he was unfitted for the 

place, we dismissed him. 

Mr. HALE. Yes; he was turned out. My friend should not be un- easy. 

Mr. FRYE. Cannot the gentleman from lllipois be kept quiet t 

?tir. HALE. But I must come to weightier matters. The House was confronted with the condition of tho country. The majority bad 

the country before it, in whatever condition it was, in whatever 

condition of depression were all the industries of the country, with 

all needed reforms to be set on foot. The South claimed that the whole 

republican policy there was wrong, that grievous errors and sins aml 

crimes were the accompaniments of that policy, and that a drastic 

change was demanded. Here was an opening for some broad plan 

of legislation that the House at least might send to the country. But on the day that the House assembled we witnessed the faculty and 

the power of the democracy to grapple with a great subject; for it was deliberately proposed here upon the question of swearing in a member of this House to open what is one of the wisest things in the 

record of the republican party, the adjustment of the Louisiana difficulty-the Wheeler comNomise-which bad given to New Orleans 

and the State of Louisiana a peace which she had not known for years. 

I am glad to say that my almost always wise friend from Indiana 

[Mr. HOLMAN] was not in accord with the movement and opposed ~t. 

But it was urged by almost all the leaders of his party that this beneficent measure of settlement should be thrown open, and it was voted down only by the solid strength of this side of the Honse, with the 

careful and moderate men, few in number, on the other side under the 

lead of Mr. HoLMAN. So disastrous was that experiment, so pronounced was the defeat, that from that day to this there has been no pl~n nor suggestion as to southern measures reported from any com- mittee that I have ever heard of. 

Ot-her questions confrontecl us. The question of finance was upon 

every man's mind, and almost upon every man's tongue. . American commerce, Mr. Speaker, it was claimed upon that side, 

languished, as it undoubtedly does languish, largely from causes that are world-wide, and not influenced by legislation in this Hall. But 

it waa ')]aimed there that it languished because it suffocated in the 

grasp of au incompetent party; and the country looked to see what measure would be attempted by the dominant party in this House 

upon that great interest. The questions, too, of currency-its uses, 

its medium, its kind, its limitation-were all before the House when 

it assembled. 

The House left all of these questions. It trod them under foot. It 

ignored them as of little account or confessed its ·incompetency by 

refusing to deal with them, and embarked in a wild crusade of investigation. Now here with a party in power during four presidential terms there was an opportunity undoubtedly for some good to be 

done. It was by no means new ground. No· republican Congress 

had for the last ten .years failed to investigate when real evils appeared and to censure and punish both friend ancl foe alike. Bnt 

there was yet some opportunity for improvement, and when the cru- sade was started the country looked for some goocl out of the· effort. 

But, Mr. Speaker, while the House sent thirty-three committees into 

investigating duties, which monopolized their time and drove out all 

other subjects, yet the method and manner was such that from the 

beginning the whole movement was paralyzed. Then first was adopted as the almost unvarying policy-! believe the Committee on Ways and Means was the only exception at first-what bad only been 

in rare cases ever attempted before, the sitting of these committees 

in secret; investigations conducted with closed doors. Parties who were investigated found, months after secret investigation had been 

set afoot, for the first time that they were under accusation. The 

minority members of the different committees had the padlock of 

secrecy put upon them, because of a false notion of the honor due to 

the committee by them as membe~. 

Secret meetings of the members of the majorit.y upon the committees were frequently held, and one result of all this was that when any 

facm were brought out that affected any prominent member of the 

party of themajorityin the House the investigation was suppressed. No 

committee oared to follow up the claim of the Kentucky Railroad w bich 

had been forced through one of the Departments when it was learned 

that a leading democratic aspirant for the Presidency was implicated. 

When it found that John Roach bad contributed money to the election 

of a democratic member upon this floor no attention was called to it. 

When Contractor Swift tolrl the committee that his largest·contribution had been in aiel of democratic elections the committee felt that 

they had beard enough. And :Mr. Commissioner Davenport opened 

up the condition of the elections in New York City under democratic 

rule so effectually that another committee, like the California hunter, 

drew off from the trail because "it was getting altogether too fresh." 

But whenever any slur could be put upon the hitherto fair reputation 

of a prominent republican the committees were eager and anxious to 

bring it forth. 

Let me give au instance or two of these investigations and of the manner in which the democratic party conducted them. It has been 

the party that heretoforo has set np loud claims of devotion to the 

individual and private rights of the citizen. One of the first things that one of the committees of this House did under the general authority given it to investigate everything was to send to the paper-mills 

where a mass of telegrams from the telegraph offices had been sent 
I 

5328 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. AUGUST 8~ 

and to secure them for the tiBe of the committee. Why, ?t!r. Speaker, one cause of the success of the electric telegraph bas been the fidelity 

of its employes to the citizen who commits hi~ most secret commum- cations to the companies. This confidence is a thing that ramifies all 

business and social life. But the investigating committees of this 

House broke through all that, se4zed the dispatches, and spent their 

time searching for private messages that bad been brought from the 

vats of the paper-makers. 

Why, Mr. Speaker, the secrets, captured the information there 

gained, these committees had no more right to, as a matter of property, than they have to a gentleman's purse. They gained them in no bett-er way than if they had stolen into a gentleman's house and 

had hidden behind his door or under his bed, and had listened to all 

the con:ft.dences and secrecies of his household. Let me give an instance of the craze that followed this hunting up of private records. 

A Cabinet minister, whose wife was at the seaside, received a dispatch something like this: "Arrived safely; baby well. You must 

decide about the cook." To the committee this was a vastly mysterious dispatch, and the Cabinet minister received from the chairman 

of the investigating committee a curt note,. copying the dispatch and 

calling npon him to furnish the cipher for its interpret.ation. Think 

of the gross .maladministration [laughter] concealed under this dispatch, and how the chairman of the committ-ee must have racked his 

brain to gather its true and bidden meaning. 

Can any craze go further than this 7 Why, sir, the famous absurdity 

of Sergeant Buzz-Fuzz-" Mutton Chops and Tomato Sauce"-is common sense compared with this committee inveetigating &Department of the Government. ' 

But we have gone on far enough to ascert.ain that one result followed from all tbis. It was a thing that my friends on the other side 

hated to look in the fare at first, hated to provide for in appropriation 

bills. Bot it soon became evident that the bills for ail t.his had to be 

paid. The city of Washington. was full of men who had been sum- moned here aa witnesses from every comer in the land, some of whom 

wanted to t~stify and return to their homes, while others preferred to 

wait while their fee-bills rolled up. The Sergeant-at-Arms had sent 

his messengers out in all directions. The Government Printing Office 

had from the be~inning a surfeit of matter thrust upon it for printing. The committees had to be given clerks and their salaries had to 

be raised. This very day, on a report from the Committee on Accounts, the salary of the clerk of one of these committes was raised. 

Now, I wonder if gentlemen know, with all their claim of economy, 

how they have illustrated it in this House, where they have had full 

swing. I had the figures made up for me four days ago, and I found 

that there were then thirty-three clerks of committees of this House 

under pay, while never in the time of republican administ.ration were there ever more than twenty-nine. .And sil!.ce that list waa made up 

for me two more have been added. 

The democratic party has been, and is now, running the most expensive session of Congress that the Americ~n Republic has ever seen. I have here a list of a few of the items of expeiJse in some of the 

committees, only including fees, mileage, and per diem pay of wit- nesses. It is only a small part of the investigating bills: 

"fr!r;o a:!u:!d~: :::::::::::::: :·:::: :::::::::::::::::::::: :~:::::: ::::: 'i~~ ~ Commerce ..•.............•• ·-············-··········-····· .. -·······-.. 259 16 Post-Office and Poet-Row ...................................... -....... 2, 3!31 21 

District. of Cohunbia . ....................... ··················-· ..••.. .. 1, 472 90 

f!gf;~arlif~i;.s: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ~ ~f : ~~.Lr~~~ :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 5, ~ l~ 

i:;~~~ p!:~~~ ~:::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::.:::: ~~ ~~ Publio Buildings and Grounds.·-········-······························ 286 10 

Printing ..•... ···············-··················· .. ···-.. •·••··•••··•••• 928 74 

Expenditures: 

Sta.te Department .... ·- ..•••. ···-·· ..................... ·-·'"···-·-··-·· 

Treasury Departmeut .•.•• - .••••• ·······--··-·· .••.•••••.•..•••••••••••• War Department ...........•...•••.••. .•..••.... ·-···· .•. ·····--· ...... 

~::Zo~~~a~:~~~~i:::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 

~g~;~~;i: ~ ~:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ~::::::::: Ru1ea ... ······-·· .................. ····-· ········-.. -·-··. ·-·-·· ·--· .••• 

Select committees: 

Texas Frontier .....•.. .•...•••.••..••..••• ···-·············-·-···· .. ••• Freedman's Bank ..•...•......•.••• ·-···· ........ ·-·········-········-·· R-eal-Estate Pool. •......•• _ . ....... _ ••...•••••• _ ••.•.••••••••.••.•••.••• 

~~~sr~l J'ffi::~t: L~~i~i~~.::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Char~es a~ainst Jud~e Wylie .. ...•.....•... ·········-······ .•.. ······-· 

~~~'b~~~~\ c~n!~~~::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 

325 -47 

2, 081 07 

8, 203 74 535 98 936 GO 

-4,509 5H 

45 ~6 

1, 788 74 

2, 650 05 10 00 

1, 410 72 

1, 027 29 

1,377 39 

3, 261 15 

9,000 00 218 95 

16 00 

316 90 

Total .••• ·-····-··········-········-··-····-···-··-········-· ···· 60,104 66 

It does not include any of tl.to largest items of these expenditures; 

it does not include anything for printing the testimony. It includes 

nothing for stenographers, clerks, stationery. It undoubtedly does 

not cover one-tenth pa.rt of the additional expenditures imposed on t~e conntry by the action of this House. 

Why, sir, ordinarily we employ but two stenographers to report 

for our committees We have paid this ses~iou (I counted them up 

the other day) seventeen. The appropriation bill for the sundry civil 

expenses of the Government has several pages decorated with items 

to pay for services upon these committees. I venture to ~ay, and I measure my words, that the additional expenses of this House over and above the ordinary expenses of years immediately preceding, 

when they are Rll in for the ent.ire session, will ag~egate in the 

neighborhood of $1,000,000. A very large item of this lS of course the printin~, the cost of which cannot now be told. 

Had great results been reached all this money mi~ht be well affortlcd. 

Butsett.ing asirletheresultof the War Departmentmvestigatiou where 

republicans contributed to the end as freely as democrats, the outcome 

of the investigations is a. mass of partisan reports to be used for cam- paign purposes,.and while no money of the Government is shown to 

have been stolen by officials, it is proved that the defalcations and 

losses are smaller than at any period in our history. 

The democratic party claims, and that is about all that is left to it 

ont of thl8 session, that it has reduced the general expenditures of 

the Government. Now that is, if true, a claim that should be admitted, and our friends on the other side should be given due credit. 

I wish that I had more time to giYe than I have now; but I cannot 

pass it by without noticin~ it, although my hour is" waning. 

Now, what does that cla1m amount to in truth f Reckoning from 

the last year's appropriations, tho reductions made in the appropriation bills of this session, when it shall have drawn its loug length 

to an end, will perhaps amount to not far from $25,000,000. To do 

this the consnlar system has been put in peril, the Navy and the 

Army have been put upon short rations, laborers upon Go.vernment! 

works have been cut off, and small salaries have been reduced. In a few days almost a thousand helpleas men and women in Washington 

will be turned upon the streets. 

Now the Committee on Appropriation.s and my friend the chair- man of that committee [Mr. RANDALL 1 will claim that I have admitted that the democratic party in this itouse has reduced the people's 

bnrdeus by the amount of 25,000,000. Si~, I do no such thing. I 

start with this n.s my cardinal proposition; no man can tell what 

credit shotllcl be given to this Honse of Represent::.tives until the 

closing day of it.a term on the 4th da.y of March, 1877. It is no new thing that the good which has been done io. the first session of a Con- · gres.'i has been undone in its second se~ion. 

The American people will wait before this House is given credit for a reduction of $25,000,000 in expenditures until it sees the waning, 

dying days of this Congress; so first, as ent,erin~ into this discussion 

of _th~ actual amount of appropriations, are all the subjects of appropnatiOn that have been postponed. There have been some reductions, some advisable, desirable reductions, which I am glad that I have 

helped to make. But when it is found how much of this $25,000,000 

is simply a postponement of needed and necessa,ry expenditures, then some correct rule can be adopted in awarding credit to this House. 

But there is another matter that wi 11 have to bo considered ; not in 

this session, but in tho nex.t., in order to determine . the question of 

what this House shall have credit for. I refer to the immen e mMs 

of south(\rn claims, private and public, that are lodged in the com- mittee-rooms of this Honse, as my friend from Ohio [Mr. GARFIELD] 

said the other da.y, to be launched upon thiB House after the elections.· My friend from 11-fi~sissippi, [.Mr. SINGLETON,] a membor, along 

with myself, of the Committee· on Appropriations, brought out in the 

early part of the session, in a colloquy upon this floor, what, wa.s intended upon that side of the Honse. It covered the Southam Pacific 

Railroad and the levees of the Mississippi; and he only fought shy, on monition from wiser members of his party, when I t.axed him with 

complicity in the scheme for having the cotton tax refunded out of 

the Treasury. 

Mr. SINGLETON. Will the gentleman allow me a single word f 

Mr. HALE. I cannot yieldnow, because I have so little time. The 

gentleman will have ample opportunity for reply. 

Mr. SINGLETON. I only want t-o sayMr. HALE. I cannot yield. I will put into my speech tho colloquy with the g"6ntleman from Mississippi as it appears in the REcORD, so that the gentleman shall not be misquoted: 

[From the Con.~ession:ll Record, February 4, 1876.} 

Mr. Sr~mLETO)I. * * * Now, sir. let ua be dono with this. I came here ns your brother; I came here as your frientl; [ oame here with the purpose of promoting tho interests of my own people' j\:lll yonrs. I Rhall strive in all my acts to build up the ruined South. I want :ron before Uti~ Uougr<'ss a~journs to nasist rue in two or throe echerue.'l directed f{) tba.t end, wludtl l·~llove you will clo, because 

your own interests imperativoly demand such a. '~ourse. I want to builn up tho 

Mississippi levees and reclaim jti,j alluvial soil, which will prove a more fruitful source of wea.lth to the United Sht&! than tho Black Jiill~> of tho Tcrrito1·ius or tho 

mines of California.. because it is from thiR inexhanstiblo soil of tho delt.a of the 

.Mise AAippi Rivet· that we can raillo 7,000.000 bale~ of cotton o. _v0:1or if properly pro- tected from ovo11low. We expect to ask a smn\1 s<Im. tot· this work that will develop thi.~ alluvial basin and enable us to purnbase from you the _goods w~furmcrly 

purchased ancl contribute largely to the oxr,tmso::~ of the Government. 

Mr. HAL&. Will the gentleman st.D..t~ wha~ the other schemes are th11ot people de- sire1 Mr. S~GLETOX. I will. I am not afraid to toll it anywhere. Another one is a Pacific railroad. 

'.Mr. IlALE. The S:mthern Pacific Railroad 1 

Mr. Sr.sGLKTOY. Yes; and then a.gain I want the jetty system caniod ont at N w Orleans which promises to admit vessels of the largest touna~e up to tho 

wharves in that city. And if we can get these things accompliRhod you will find 

the South blossoming like the rose. You will find sources of ';Vealth to you and 

the whole country that you nevardreamed of. 
1876. CONGRESSIONAL .RECORD-HOUSE. 5329 

Mr. HALE. Is not the refunding of the cotton tax another object which the gentleman desires i . Mr. SINGLETON. Well, I do not propose to discuss that now. When the proposition comes before the House I will give my views upon it. 

Mr. WILLIS. I would like to su~gest to the gentleman from Maine that the 

democratic party do not propose .to help the S?uth by building a Pacific railroad. 

The republican party may do so 1f tht~y feel d1sposed; but, so far. as we are con- cerned, we do not intend to indulge in any subsidies, the republican example to the 

cont.rary notwithstanding. ·Mr. HALE. I wanted the gentleman to-state as a. representative of the south- ern democracy what the democratic party, of which it constitutes a large portion, 

expect to carry before Congress ad,joorns. I thank him for f.be candor with which 

he hM answered my question and the monition he has l'iven the country. 

Mr. SINGLKTON. 't stated that I had three schemes in view. 

Mr. DouGJ •. AS. I would inquire of the gentleman from Maine by what authority 

be says that the gentleman from Miasiss1ppi is the representative of the southern 

democracy here 1 

Mr. HALl!:. I did it because it was not an assumption on the :part of the gentle- man from Mississippi, for he is not an assuming man, but be cla1ms to state for the 

southern people as their representative, speaking distinctly for them, complaining of the republican party, that they required certam ''schemes," and! use his words, 

that the Sooth mshed to accomplish before Congress adjourns. I wished to know 

what they were, and I thank the gentleman again for the monition he bas given to the country, and especially does the gentleman from Mississippi represent the 

southern people, because he has been selected as one of their representatives on th.e Money Committee of the House. 

Mr. Speaker, I have here a carefully compiled list of southern claims now suspended in the committees of this House. They cover every 

imaginable variety of subjects from a claim f9r the price of a single 

mule up to the destruction of iron manufactories that were engaged 

in furnishing materials of war for the rebel armies. They come from 

every southern State and almost every county of every southern 

State. There is no member from the South, so far as I know, who 

bas not introduced such claims heoo; and the importani point is that 

all these bills are introduced because the member introducing them, 

whether he believes them right or wrong, is pushed and driven by 

his constituents. 

Mr. EDEN. I would like to ask the gentleman a question on this 

subject. Mr. H.A.LE. I must decline to yield. Mr. Speaker, when the day comes that it will be safe to vote for these bills, the same infl.uence tha~ has driven these members will drive them to vote for their passage. It is an inevitable law which will dominate that side of the 

House, and after a little while, when the public mind shall have be- come gradually familiarized with the concession, as in the old times 

it did with certain exactions of the South, the northern democracy 

will become acquiescent and, provided the party gains power, will 

consent to the passage of these bills. They aggregate about $160,-

000,000 of those that are already here. Does anybody believe that 

the South has not an interest in these claims being paid f Does anybody believe that if it bas control of the Government through the 

democratic party it will allow its members t-o rest day ur night on this 

floor until these bills are passed f . 

Mr. L.A. WRENCE. .A.nd many of these are simply test claims, 

which if allowed will be followed by others to a vast amount. 

Mr. H.A.LE. Of course, as my friend from Ohio suggests, many of. these are simply representative claims, and if one passes, it involves 

the payment of twenty or fifty times as mnch more, which will be 

covered by the same principle. These are only the courier, the advance-guard, the feeler, the skirmisher that is sent out to feel the line, 

and find whether it can be broken. Five hundred millions of dollars, 

Mr. Speaker, will not meet all these claims when we begin to pay 

them. 

Mr. L.A. WRENCE. Five hundred million dollars wouM. not cover the total amount of these claims, without reference to the claims for 

emancipated ,slaves. 

Mr. HALE. Mr. Speaker, he who lives long enough-provided 

always that the democratic party gets control of all the branches of 

t!Je Government-will see what I here predict come to paBS. If anybody doubts, let him wait and see for himself. 

I cannot give a full list of their claims, because it would occupy 

whole pages of the RECORD. Here are some of them: 

One of them, introduced in the Senate by Mr. JOHNSTON, of Virginia, appropri- ates $199,228.24 to pay certain "loyal" citizens of Loudoun County, Virgima, two hundred and six in number, "in consideration of their property destroye(l by fire 

by the military authority of the United States in conformity w1th an order of Ma-

_ior-General Sheridan, dated November 27, 1864." '£his is the famous orcler in which 

::iheridan. after directing General Merritt to opei'8.te with 1m! division of cavalry against the guerrillas in a cer·tain district of country, says: . . "This section bas been the hot-bed of mwless bands who have from time tg time 

depredated upon small parties on the line of army communication, on safeguards left at houses, and on troops. Their real object is plunder and highway rolibery. To clear the country of these parties that are brin~ng destruction upon the innocent as well as their guiltysopport~rs by their cowa;raly act-s, you will consume and destroy all forage and subsistence, burn all barns and mills and their contents, and 

drive off all stock. This orcler must be lit-erally executed, bearina in mind, how- ever, that no dwellings are to be burned and th~t no personal viofence be offered 

the citizens. The ultimate result of the guerrilla system o,f warfare is the total destruction of all private rights in the country occupied by such parties. This destruction may as well commence at once, and the responsibility of it must rest upon the authorities at Richmond,who have acknowledged the legitimacy of guer- rilla bands." 

By Mr. FAULKNRR. of We!~t Virginia: A bill to pay Abram' H. Herr $'21,067.51 

for the use of land and buildings on the island of Virginius., in the Shenandoah 

Ri'\'er at Harper's Ferry, by the Quartermaster's Depat-tment, from February 26, 

186<!, to February 1. 1866. By the same member: A bill to pay Wildey Lodcre, I. 0. 0. F ., of Charlestown, 

West Virginia, $3,547.50 for the dealirnction of buildfugs, furniture, and regalia by fire. 

Dy the same member: A bill to pay the German Evangelical church of MartinsIV-334 

burgh, West Virginia, $2,500 for the destruction of the building and furniture by 

fire "through the careless11ess of the military forces of the U nite£1 States." 

By the same membE-r: A bill to pay Abi,jah Daily, of Grant County, West Virginia., $2,453.87, for losses in property sustained bv him during the war. By Mr. REAGAN, of Texas: A bill to pay J. A. 'warren, of Tyler County, Texas, 

$3.150 for.eight mules and three horses taken from him by order of General Laila. 

By Mr. PHILIPS, of Missouri : A bill to pay Thomas Plant, of Booneville, Missouri, $902 for boots, shoes, leather, and tools taken from his shop by United States 

troops. 

By·Mr. WIDTTBOIL'''IE, of Tennessee: A bill to pay John E. Tulloss $12,982.04 for 

the burning of his buildings and destruction of property n~ar Franklin, Tennessee, La battle·field] by United States troops. 

By Senator J OH"XSTON, of Virginia: A bill to pay Peters & Reed fl5, 170.89, bal- ances due them for labor and material furnished by them as contractors at the 

Norfolk navy-yard in 1860. (This bill was passed by the Hoose last session, bot was not reached in season for consideration by the Senate.) 

By Mr. Hm.~N, of Virginia: A bill to pay James Green, of Alexandria., $:17,750. 

(No consideration mentioned.) 

By the same member: A bill directing the auditing and payment of the cmim of 

R. B. Hackey for ca~~r mails in 1861. (Amount not state(\.) 

By Mr. WHITrHORNE,' of Tl'nnessee: A bill to P.3Y the officers and men of the 

First Regiment and of the Ninth Battalion of Tennessee Cavalry, Confederare 

States army, for their horses which, by the terms of surrender to General Sherman 

in North Carolina, they were allowed to retain, but were taken from them on their 

way home, at Strawberry Plains, Tennessee, by General Stoneman. · By the same member: A bill to pay $42,271.34 to cert.ain mail contractors in Ten• nessee for services up to June 8, 1861. [A claim long pending.) The second sec- tion of this bill contams thefollowingsweepingprovision: "1'batalllawsconflicting with the payment of these claims, and which payment is hereby directed to be 

made, be, and the same are hereby, repealed." 

By Mr. HousE, of Tennessee: A bill topa:yJamesM. Hinton, of Davidson County, Tennessee, $2,508 for" board, and so forth,. of certain colored men wl10 were taken 

from .his custody when sheriff and employ<d on the fortifications of the Federal 

Army near Nashville, in 1862. 

By Mr. ATKINs, of Tennessee: A bill to pay •13,000 to Bet bel College, Tennessee, 

for occupation of and injury done to the college buildings and property by Federal 

troops. · It is noticeable that in only two out of the twenty-five cases is it even claimed 

that the parties interested were loyal citizens durin~ the war. Next comes o.n exceedingly important class of bills-those relating to cotton claims-of which five have been introduced. Fil'l!t is the old bill to refund the taxes on raw cotton, involving an appropriation of .68,072,388.79. .Four bills have been introduced-one by Senator MEr.RIMON, of North Carolina, two by Mr .. VANCE, of North Caroli.ua, and one by Mr .. HA~COCK, of Texaa-rest.oring to the pensiOn-rolls all persons whose names were stncken therefrom for disloyalty, 

under the act of February 4, 1862. One of Mr. VANCE's bills g008 much further, 

and repeals not only the act of February 4, 1862, but the statute prohibiting the 

payment of claims of disloyal persons [section 34t!O, Revised Statutes] "and l 

other laws of similar character and pttrport." In the same bills occurs f,he remarkable phrase, "the war between the Stat-es, generally called the rebellion." If it was simply a war "betweeP. t.he Sta.t.es," by what rule of law or logic can the 

United s~ates be held liable to pay such clainlS as vANCE'S bill proposes to admit j 

to repeal the statute prohibiting certain payments to dislo,ral persons ; to restore to the 1812fenston roll the names of persons stricken off for disloyalty; and for 

the relief o owners and purchasers of lands sold for direct taxes in insurrectionary States 9 The most important &lllong t.he more recent measure.s proposed is a bill 

introduced by JOHN RANDOLPH TUCKER to repeal the section of the P.evisedStatutes 

which prohibits the appointment to any position in the Army of fersons who have 

served in any capacity in the military, naval, or civil 86rvlce o the confederate 

government or of any of the States in msurrection. . 

I select these as my eye runs hurriedly down the long list. It is a fearful account that these gentlemen mean that we shall settle some 

d~ . In looking over the record of thi8 session, I discover many things 

in which the party in power here has departed from its old traditions 

and principles. It stood for years as the advocate of the rights of 

the .;itizen, as the defender of the powers of the courts, ·the sanctity 

of the writ of habeas corpus. But this winter, with power unbridled 

and uncontrolled, the writ of habeas C(Jrpus has been cast into con- tempt and the adjudication of a high court has been disputed and 

sought to be nullified. 

Mr. Hallet Kilbourn, of w~om I know nothing except that he is an .A.merjcan citizen, came into conflict with one of the inveRtiiY'ating 

committees 'Kpon somo qnestion as to disclosing names and pr;Jucing 

private books and papers. He was committed for contempt by the 

order of thiB House, and resorted, as any citizen may do, to the intervention of the courts. The House disputed every sLep and employed coun- sel to represent it. llot.h upon the returu and upon the final questiou M 

<1ischarge under the writ of habea.s corp~ts which bad been invoked 

the petitioner was sustained and released. It had been a fair trial 

and the House had been beaten. But Mr. Kilbourn, having estab- lishe~ the strength of the proc~ss and having no desire to withhold 

proper testimony, then communicated to the House his willingness to 

testify, and the gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. WELLS] sought to 

brjng him before the proper committee with tbe result shown lJy this 

extract 'from the report of proceedings in the House of Representatives, May 2, 1876: HALLET KILBOURN. 

Mr. WELLS, of Mississippi. I ask unanimous COilSent to offer t.he following 

resolution: " Resolved, That the Committee on the Rea.I.Estate Pool be directed to accept the . offer of Hallet Kilbourn to apfear before that committee to a.nswer any iuquil'ies relatin~ h> such real-est.ate poo and to furnish snell information to said committee as the nooks in his possession may contain, and the said committee are direct~d to examine said Hallet Kilbou' n and his books." 

Mr. RANDALL. I move that that resolution be laid on the table; that is the · ri"'ht wa.v to treat it. . · lli. WELLS, of Mississippi. I call for the yeas and nays on that motion. 

Mr. HOLMAN. I rise to a question of order. I did not yield the floor for the :purpose.of the introduction of anything for action. The gentleman from Mississippi 

(Mr. WELLS] did not certainly understand that I yielded the floor wlten a.bout to make a motion to go into Committee of the Whole on the state of the U .oion on the 

appropriation bili, to allow Wm to have the yeas and nays on a proposition like 

this. 

:Mr. WELLB, of lfi.ssissip '.rhe point ~f ord,er comes cer-Wnly too law: 

.. 
5:330 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. AUGUST 8, 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Tho gentleman from Indiana did not make his objection in time. 

Mr. HoLMAN. The gentleman from Mississippi certainly understood that I 

yielded the floor simply for th~ introduction of measures for reference, and not for 

action. 

Mr. WELLS, of Mississippi. I understood that I had the floor to offer tho resolution. I did offer it; and a motion has been made to lay it on the tahle, anc.l on that 

question the yeas and nays are demanded. 

The veaa and nays were ordered. 

Mr. RANDALL. The right way to treat it is to treat it with contempt. 

[Cries of "Regular order!'') . 'l'he SPE.ADR pro tempore. The regular order is the call of the roll. 

Mr. LANDERS, of Indiana. I want to ma)re an inquiry of the Chair. C.an this res. olution come before this body without unanimous consent1 

The SPRAKER pro temto/e. The Chair nndel'stoo<l that tmanimous consent was given, because no one objected when he put the question, and the Chair put the 

question distinctly to the House. 

Mr. BLOUNT. The gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Houu.N] objected. I beard .him. 

Mr. Hm:..M:AN. I tried to object. 

The SPF.AKER pro tempore. The Chair did not bear the gentleman, although be was waiting for objections. · [Cries of • ·Regular order I "J . 'l'he question was taken on Mr. RANDALL's motion; and there were-yeas 138, 

nays ~· not votin,r 68; as foll2ws: . • * • • 

Mr. Speaker, I might cite instance after instance where the dominant party here has sought to override rights heretofore re8pected 

and unquestioned. It has conducted its investigations in secret, and 

has ordered the head of a Department to communicate an facts known 

to him, without regard to the importance of secre<>y in detective operations against knaves and thieves. It has demanded the custody of 

department-al papers, sometimes if given up to be put in charge of 

flischarged incompetent employ~s who had been adopted by the com- mittees as clerks or messengers. In its demands upon Cabinet ministAN and their subordinates it has been exacting, imperious, and not 

infreCJnently rude and insolent. I commend to its consideration the 

letter of President Jackson to HenryS. Foote, formerly chairman of 

the comn;llttee to investigate general charges of abuse against the 

executjve department as applicable to the present methods of democratic inquiries. The following sentences will indicate its character: 

The heads of DepHtments may an.<Jwer such reque11ts as they please, provided 

they do not wilbhold their own time and that of the ofti.cers under their i:lirection 

from puohc business to the injUl'y thereof to that bu iness. I shall direct them to devote themselves to their duties in preference to any illegal and unconstitutional 

call for infmmation, no matter from what source it may come, and however anx- • ious they may be to meet it. For myself, 1 shall repel all such attmnpt.s as an inv~ 

sion of the princip es of justice as well as of the Constitution, and I shall esteem it my sacred duty to the people of the United States to resist them as I would the 

establi!ihmtmt o\ a Spantsh inquisition. If, aft~r all the severe :lccusations con- tained in various speeches of yorn"Relf and your aasociates, you are unwilling of vour own accotd to bl'ing f!pecific charges, then I t"equest your committee to c-all yoar~elf and your associates and every olber member of CongreRs wb.o made gen- eral ch;ll'ge of corruption to testify be lore God and tile country whether you or they 

knew of any epecHic COITUption or aiJw'le of trust in t.he Executive Departments, and, if so, wl'la.t it was. lf you are able to point to any case where there is the 

slighteet reason to suspect corruption and abuse of trnl!t, no obstacle which I can remove shall be interposed to prevent the fullest scrutiny by all legal meaniJ. Tb.e 

offices of an the Departmeats will be opened to you, and evory facility furnished 

for this pm·pose. I shall, on the one hand, cause every posllible facility consuwmt with law and justice to be g1\'en to the investigation of specific. tangible chargos; 

and, on the other, shall repudiate all attempt~J to invac.le the just riglits of tb~ Executive Department.s and of the individual!! composing the same. If, after all your 

clamor, you will make no specific charges, or bling no proof of such as are made, 

you and your associates must be reg:.~.t·de<l by the goOll people of the United :;itates as the authol's of unfounded calumoies, and the public servants you have asSailed 

will, in the estimation of all honorabl~ men, st.an<l fully acq•litted. 

If I had mote time, Mr. Speaker, I should be glad to go jnto the 

account of the repeated assa.ults made upon the national credit in 

the seven different attempts, under the lead of prominent democrats 

upon this floor, to repeal or nullify the policy of au early resumption 

of specie payments, to which this Administrat ion is committed. They 

culminated on Saturday last in a bill which repeals tho date fixed for 

resumption by the act of January, 1875; and so much time had already 

been consumed in doing nothing for eight long months that to this 

important measure but two hours of debate was allowed, and it was then pushed through nnder the lash of the .previous question .. 1n the mean time all the material interests o.f the country are left 

neglected. A tariff bill reducing taxation has been reported, but the 

chairman of the Committee of Ways_ and Means lets it. sleep in the 

Committee· of the Whole.· Mr. Bristow's recommendation for refunding the nation::J debt, by which at least 17,000,000 yearly in interest 

paid can be saved, is passed by unheeded. An Indi.an war of such 

magnitude as 'ha-s not been seen for a generation breaJm out at the 

time when the House of Rl'presentatives is reducing the Army and crippling the whole Indian service. TI.J.e amendment to the Constitution 

offered by my former c..olleague, [Mr. Blaine,] relatiug to sectarian 

schools, remained until in the last week it was brou~ht up and passed 

without debate, no interchange of views being allowed, because it 

had been determined that no expression of hostility should be permitted from the democratic side of the Honse. 

The last days of this session, Mr. Speaker, are upon us. Your party 

has had its day in court. For noorly nine months t.ht; American people have looked upon this body as it has drifted and hopelessly strug- gled on with elements in it which, while useless for any present good, 

have sounded a constant alarm of future dangers. · 

CANADIAN RECIPROCITY TREATY. 

Mr. COX obtained the floor and said: I yield for a moment to my 

colleague, [Mr. WARD.] 

Mr. WARD. The joint resolution (H. R. No. 14) authorizing the 

appointment of commissioners to ascertain on what terLDs a mutually 

beneficial treaty of commerce with Great Britian on behalf of the 

Dominion of Canada can be arranged was made a special order for 

the third Tuesday in May last after the morning hour and from day 

to day thereafter until disposed of, not to interfere with regulax appropriation bills. 

Mr. CO~GER. Before any privilege is gained in re~erence to this 

matter, I re erve the right to object. 

Mr. WARD. The debate on the consideration of the resolution 

began ou the 18th of May last1 and since that time has been suspended 

by appropriation bills and ot.her important measures. The nt>u~ approach of the end of the session, tbe absence of many members who 

desire to part_icipate in the discussion, and the -indisposition to take 

up at this stage of the session a question of such great importance, I am induced to ask that the further consideration of the joint resolntion be postponed nntil the second Tuesday in Decemper next, and 

made a !:!pecial orderfor that day, and from day to dayuntil disposed 

of. 

Mr. WILSON, of Iowa. I object. 

Mr. CONGER. I object to it as a continuing special order from day 

to day. I have no objection to it being as !~ned for one particular day. 

Mr. WARD. I hope the gentleman will not object. It is now a. 

Rpecial Ol'der, and I wish merely to fix a definite time when it is to be 

taken up for consideration. 

Mr. CONGER. I have n9 objection to fixing a definite time~ bnt I 

do object to making it a continuing special order from day to day 

unt.il disposed of. 

Mr. ·wARD. But it is now a. Eq>ecial order from day to day until 

dispo ed of. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. No new rights would be acquired by 

the gentleman frotn New York under thi~ motion; for, as he has al· 

r.ea{ly stated, it is now a continuing special order from day to day 

until dispo ·ed of. 

Mr. CO~GER. Being desirous of defeatin~ every possible measure looking t.o this end, I wish to give it no new life and 110 new place. 

Mr. W A.RD. It gets no new life, but I propose merely to designate a certain day next session, so that al~ may be advised when it is to come up. 

The RPEA.KER pro t.em.pore: It merely fixes the day when the prop- . osi t.ion is to be called up. 

:Mr. CONGER. I do not ehject to a certain day being fixed for tak· 

ing it up, but I do object to making it a continuing order from tha.t 

day. 

Mr. WARD. Do I understand the gentleman from Michigan to · insist on his objection f 

Mr. CONGER. I do. The time is past for renewing the special 

order, and the gentleman has no remedy except by consent. 

Mr. WARD. I can let it stand as it is and it will come up as the 

special order, to continue from day to day until disposed of. My only 

object is that gentlemen who wish to participate in the debate may 

know exactly when the bill is to be called up for acti<?n. As objection ie insisted upon, I will Jet it staud as it is. I have only desired 

to oblige those gentlemen who wished to be heard on the question. 

Mr. COX. I do not yield to any discussion. 

Mr. WARD. Does the gentleman still insist on his objection f 

Mr. CONGER: I do. 

Mr. W \RD. Then I will let the order stand as it is. It is now a. 

special order from day t.o day until disposed of; and I give notice • I shall call it up at the proper time. 

SUNDRY CIVIL BILL. 

The House resumed the consideration of the motion of Mr. HALE 

to reconsider the vote by which t.he me sage of the President on the 

sundry civil bill was referred and ordered to be printed. 

Mr. COX. .Mr. S.Peaker, I could nut in five minutes, as I hoped, re· ply to such a magnificent ann hefty speech as that just mad~ by the 

gentleman from Maine, [Mr. HALE.] [Lan?hter.] In the lnstory of our Government, from it.s berrinniug down, nave we ever seen snch a collection of particular and ~innte things which make up so little in 

the a(J'gregatof [Laughter.] The gen tlema,n did not refer to the whal~, bn.t to the minnows. [Lau(J'hter.] Why did be not refer to 

the unloadio(J' of General Grant and his administration aud to the. various fraud~ connect.ed with Lhe Executive Departments f That was not in his line; but he charged upon this House that it had actually, 

in some snra.ll instances, reformed it-self. Did he not charge that one committee with the aid of its chairman, my distinguished friend from 

Illinois, [Mr . .MoRRISO~,] bad dismissed i:s clerk, and ~hat the Committee on Rules had dismissed two men, one a journal clerk and 

the other a doorkeeper, for certain improprietiesf No thievery was charged on these .men, and no thievery proved, and no one believed 

that they were thieves. 

ORG.ANIZATION OF COMlfiTI'EES. 

·If the wol'St that can be said of this House a11d its organization is 

that the committees were made badly and sectionally against tho 

North by our absent, lamented, and distinguished Speaker, t,hen the 

opposition is most unhappy. I cannot compare our incomparable 

Speaker and t~e committees made by him with Mr. Ex-Speaker Blaine, of .Maine, and his committees. But I will say that in the last Congress, out of thirty-seven chairmanships, only seven were given to the South 
"1876. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. 5331 

and those very inconsequential; st> that now if the South has a fair 

share of chairmen, it is but a compensation for the past. 

:Mr. DURHA.l\f. Just one moment. Out of forty-four only seven were given to the South. 

Mr. COX. I am corrected. Out of forty-four only seven were given 

to the South by the Speaker from Maine, [Mr. Blaine.l Of course my 

friend from Maine [Mr. HALE] would not or did not look that up. But mere chairmanships of committees are not important, for I have been a chairman myself. [Laughter.] The point is, bow are committees 

made as to majorities and business. That is the point. l!rom it is ·seen the patriotic or partisan animus. 

The fact is that my friend's theory about the making up of com- mittees i1t this Congress by Mr. Speaker KERR is not borne out by the 

facts. You must look not to the chairman, but to the\ID.ajority of a committee,. to find the essential elements and voice of a committee 

which direct both t,he action of the committee and to a great extent 

that of the House. 

But I arose, sir, principally for the purpose of calling attention to 

the unsectional and fair constitution of the committees of this Congress1 so as to repel the aspersions of ihe gentleman from Maine. 

And now are they J 

The Committee of Elections have a majority from the North; the 

Committee of Ways and Means have also a majority of one from the 

North; the Committee on AppropriatiOJ1s have seven from the North 

to four from the South·. I wish t.he House woultl notice that by the 

North I mean above Mason and Dixon's line, and how badly the gentleman fi·om Maine bas interpreted the unsect.ional action of Mr. 

Speaker KERR. The Committee on Banking and Currency have nine 

from the North to two from the South i the Committee on the Pa~fic 

Railroads, which was mentioned by tne gentleman [Mr. HALE] m a peculiar way, have seven from the North to four from the South; 

the· Committee of Claims have seven from the North to four from 

the South; and~ by the way, most of these war claims, of which they 

have jurisdiction and to which sinister reference was made, are .owned 

by nm·thern men ; four-fifths of them. 

A MEMBER. All of them loyal men. Mr. COX. Yes, speculators who bought them up; and, gentlemen on the other side, you know it. [Laughter.] I do not know a man from New England who bas not a li~tle speculative turn. [Laughter.] The Committee on Commerce have seven from the North to 

four from the South. My friend from Maine is interested in com- merce aud shipping, and the committee on that subject have seven from the North and four from the South. He cannot complain of this 

arrangement. We have not revived shipping yet, because we have not 

pastied our reform tariff bill to take the taxofi'of certQin articles which 

enter into a ship. But some day or other, when Governor Tilden is 

Pre ident, we will revive shipping in Maine and elsewhere, in spite 

of the exacting and destructive policies of the republican party. 

I am going over the committees in their order. Upon the Committee on the Public Lands there are nine North to two South. On 

the Committee on the Post-Office and Post-Roads they are six North 

to five South. On the Committee for the District of Columbia they are eight to three. On the important Committee on the Judiciary 

they are eight to three. On the Committee on War Claims, let it be 

remembered that there are seven North to four South. On the Committee on Public Expenditures they are six to five. On the Committee on Private Land Claims they are five to four. 

Here let me pause on the next. It is the Committee on Manufa-ct- ures. Well, what do they do f Have they ever met or reported Y 

What are they constituted for r The Speaker of our Honse has actually given a majority of one to the South on tltat committee! No, 

I beg pardon; be has made them even, five to five. That is the only 

lead I have struck as yet where there is not a -majority of northern men. Why should not the North, which bas predominance in population and interests, have a predominant voice on the committees f 

Upon the Committee on Agriculture there are six North to 1ive 

South ; and yet the fruits of the soil, cotton, grain, &c., are not all 

North. Upon the Committee on Indian Affairs they are as seven to 

five. Upon the Committee on Military Affairs there are seven to four. 

Upon the Committee on the Militia, six to five; upon the Committee on}~· a val Affairs~ seven to four; upon the Co~mittee on Foreign 

Affatrs they are mght to three; upon the Committee on the Territories· ~hey are nine to three; upon the Committee on Revolutionary 

Peniwns they are seven to four; upon the Committe~ on Invalid lensions there are six North to five South; upon the Committee on Railways and Canals they are six to five; upon the Committ-ee on Mines 

and Mining they are eight to three. • 

The next is the Committee on Education and Labor. Now, if I had 

been the Speaker of this House I think I would have given a majority 

to the South on that committee; and would not my friend from Maine 

have done so' Why f Because we are trying to educate the "wards 

of the nation," by the help of the Peabody fund and public lands. We 

have bills to donate Federal property for a noble, educational, and 

humanitarian purpose. My friend from Virginia [Mr. WALKER] bas 

reported such a bill. Well, sir, that committee is the first I ba ve met, 

upon which there is a majority of southern men. They are five North 

to six South! Is this any wonderful goodness in our Speaker! The 

disti.pguisbed ex-g~vernorof Virginia, born in the North, is the chair- rna~ of the committee. Who can complain of his designation as chaiTman f . He has reported from that committee a measure designed 

to promote the education of the colored cbildren of the nation. He 

ha.s placed it on the basis of illiteracy, and iu spit-e of northern prejudices. I think you cannot complain of t.he constitution of that com- mittee, on tbe ground that it is sectionally southern and African. It 

ought to be southern; and so it is made. 

Upon the Committee on the Revision of the Laws of the United State.~ there are nine North to two South. The Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures are seven to three. The Committee on Patents are six to fiv_e. The Commi!tee on Publie Buildings and 

Grounds, aeven to four. The Nort-h still predominates. 

COST AND ·UTll..ITY OF INVESTIGATIONS. • Upon the Committee of Accounts they are four North to one South. 

And what a splendid Committee of Accounts we have in this House! 

[Laughter.] How the chairman of that committee will carry out econ- omies when he becomes governor of t,he State of Indiana! [Laughter.] 

I challenge m:v frienu from Maine when he goes to Indiana to stump. for Governor Hayes to take up and scrutinize the accounts of thh~ Congress under the auspices and vigilance of our chairman of accounts. 

He says that they will amount to a million doUars. He will find that 

under the management of our blue-jean governor they have been well 

expended, just and fair. When the gentleman complains that we have 

been expensive this session he must remember the great expense that 

has been incuiTed in investigations. He says $1,000,000. He must 

remember who caused the investigations. It is a mere guess as to 

the amount, however. ""Why, sir, suppose the amount true; it would 

pay us if wespent five milJions. We need it as an example to future 

Hollses and future officers in the conduct of the public business. We 

need to spend much as a preventive of fraud. Shall we not examine 

into and develop fraud because it costs money' Why, my fi·iend 

from Tennessee, the chairman of the Naval Committee, [Mr. WHITTHOR ~E,] while making an examination about naval affairs, struck an account of 23,000 with Donald .McKa:v, in Boston, which has been re- funded to the Treasury because of this very committee of investigation finding out.the mistake. The investigation paid for itself and more. Altogether, I believe, there have been thus far only $116,000 

charged against investigations. If the truth were known, sir, that 

amount has already been paid up in full by results, and ten times over. Besides, I am informed that tho Printing · Committee discovered one item of over a thousand dollars due from one firm and caused its collection, and thus more than paying all e:x:pens~s of that peculiar in ves- tigation. So that directly, not to say indirectly, the discovery of 

wrongs is useful even in a pecnniary·sense. - Mr. Speaker, I was simply going over the list of committees to 

show the proportion of northern to southern men upon them. I desire 

thus to repel the atta.ck upon Mr. Speaker KERR, who formed them. 

The next is the Committee on .Mileage, on which there are three 

northern men to one from the South; Joint Committee on Printing, 

two to one; Joint Committee on Enrolled Bills, four to one; Joint 

Committee on the Library, two to one; Committee on Expeodit.ures in the State Department, four to one; Committee on ~xpenditures in 

t.he Treasury Department, seven to two; Committee on Expenditures 

in the War Department, three to two; Committee on Expenditures 

in the Navy Department, four to one; Committee on E:x.penditnres in 

the Post-Office Department, two to three. I harilly see how that happened. Perhaps the Speaker thought he bad been leaning too much 

in favor of the North and wildly changed the proportion here! The 

criticism t.he gentleman from Maine intended has on this little committee missed its mark. The Committee on ExpenditUI·es in the Int-erior D~partment has four to one; Committee on Expenditures on Public Bui~dings, six to one; Committee on Expenditures in the Department 

of Justice, six to three. Yet ho~ useful have we made all these heretofore useless committees on expenditures. They became active instruments of honesty. There was a reason for it. But does it detract 

from the utility because northern members predominate f The truth 

is, our honored Speaker only thought of honest men, and not of sec- tions,· in forming his committees. 

The next is the Committee on Reform in the Civil Service. Here 

thereareeightNorth tothree South. God knows there is agt·eatnecessit.yfor such a committee, as well for a reform in the civil service-not 

in this House and its constitution so much as all through the country, 

from Alaska to Georgia, from Galveston to Penobscot, or what ever part 

of the world the gentleman from Mainemaylivein. [Laughter.] Now 

the Committee on Mississi-ppi Levees are four North to seven South. 

This, Mr. Speaker, is the third committee where there is a majority 

ofeouthern men. If the gentleman from Maine hims61fwere Speaker 

would he not give a. majority of that committee to the Sonth! No f 

Then I take him t.o l>e less fair than I always thought him to be. Wh.v 

should not southern men have the Mississippi levees in their own charge for report and legislation f They were so given in the .appointment of t~e committee by Mr. Speaker KERR; four north- ern men to seven southern men. Is it not their peculiar interest f 

They were appointed to take care of their interests just as the westtern men are placed on certain committees to care for territ{)ries and 

lands. The Committee on Rules are three to theNorth-fourincluding Mr. Speaker KERR, ex ojjicio a member. There is nobody.on that 

committee except northern men. The Committee on the Centennial 

Celebration are eight to three ; Committee on the Texas Frontier 

Troubles, three t.o two. There is a majority from the North even-on a committee about Te,xas affa.irs anq ~ts t,ro.ublous o~;~~r, 
• 

5332 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. AUGUST 8', 

FREEDMEN AND THEIR ROBBERS. 

Do yon desrre further rehearsal f The next is the Committee on .J the Freedman's Bank. Now I favor giving to the Freedman's Bank 

and its rascals a committee with a majority from the South. That is 

the fourth committee where the South have a prevailing majority; 

the members being two northern to five southern men. Why should 

it not be so f Who robbed the freedmen f Was it northern men f 

Was it New England men f Tltey might ha-ye had their hand in it, 

[Laughter] but those robbed are the labormg people South whose 

representatives, white and black, are here. It was right that the 

affairs of the Freedman's Bank should be looked into by southern men. So th~Pchairman is Mr. DouGLAS, of Virginia; and there ar.e associated 

with him Mr. BRADFORD of Alabama, Mr. RIDDLE of Tennessee, Mr. 

HOOKER of Mississippi Mr. BLISS of New York, and Mr. RAINEY of 

South Carolina. The latter is a good, noble, kindly colored gentle- man. How could this committee hcJ.ve l]een made better f and especially may I not say so in view of the fact that there was an entire 

unanimity in the committee upon the subject of their report and upon 

the necessity of punishing the despoilers of the simplo freeclmen f 

Then there is the Committee on Real-Estate Pool aud·Jay Cooke 

Indebtedness; the members of that committee stand two North to 

three South. Mr. GLOVER, of Missouri, is chairman. Is it so terrible 

to have him as chairman f I believe he was connected with some similar committee in a previous Congress. This is the fourth among 

forty-odd committees where the South pre<1ominates. Besides Mr. 

GWVER, there are, Mr. LEWIS of Alabama, Mr. PRA'IT of Iowa, Mr. 

SMITH of Pennsylvania, and Mr. CULBERSON, of Texas. Now no one cn.n object to the personnel of a committee of investigation like this; nor because they are composed of three southern and twa northern 

members. So it seems, sir, that out of some forty committees four or five have a majority of members from the South! Is not this horribly sectional ' WHISKY AND ITS CROOKEDNESS. 

Then there is the Committee on Whisky Trials in Saint Louis. Bas 

my b.iend from Maine ever read the history of these whisky trials f 

What a trial it is to go through such crookedness! Have you read 

Bluford Wilson's testimony f Do you know where it strikes f It is worse than Jersev lightning when it strikes. rLaugbter.] Would 

you have that committee made up entirely of northern men f Well, 

here you have it! Here are the names: Mr. KNOTI of Kentucky, Mr. 

PHELPS of Connecticut; Mr. GLOVER of Missouri, Mr. COCHRANE of 

Penns:vlvania, Mr. MACMAHON of Ohio, Mr. McCRARY of Iowa, and 

Mr. PLAISTED of Maine. On the minority of the committee is perhaps the best lawyer on your side of the House, :Mr. McCRARY. How can you complain of that as sectional f Yonr complaint, if any, ought 

to be in another <1irection. · Then we come to the Committee on Federal Offices in Louisiana. I 

think I helped to appoint that committee as Speaker pro tempore. It 

might be thought that on that committee there should be a majority 

of southern members. But no, the proportion of northern to south- ern members on that committee is six to three, and lll)On it is the distinguished, pertinacions,'.and irascible person from Michigan, Mr. 

CONGER. (Laughter.] 

Mr. CONGER. I ask that the words of the gentleman be taken 

down. [Laughter. J 

Mr. COX. I will ask that the gentleman himself may be taken down. 

[Laughter.] I said nothing but what was honorable to him. 

Mr. CONGER. I think it would take the whole force of the democratic party to do it. 

Mr. COX. The democratic party will not exert itself in that direction very much. [Laughter.] Then there is the committee on charges 

against J D(lge Wylie which I appointed. It has five northern members 

and two southern members. Last, there is the committee on charges 

against the Clerk of the House, with four northern members and one southern member. So that of all these several committees, except 

four or five, the majority of their members have been chosen from 

the North. 

Mr. HALE. Will the gentleman yield to me for a moment f 

Mr. COX. With the greatest delight. 

Mr. HALE. In making up this majority the gentleman of course includes the republican members, who are almost entirely from the 

North. 

Mr. COX. Did not the gentleman know that when I was going over the committees f 

Mr. HALE. How is it with the gentleman's political friends f Do 

not the members from the South constitute the majority of the democratic members on most of the committeeij! 

Mr. COX. I think perhaps the majority of the members on the 

democratic side of the House are from the South, and perhaps happily for the coantry, in its sectional emergency. 

Mr. HALE. Happily for the conn try f 

A MEMBER. The demecratic majority has the greater number from 

the North. 

Mr. COX. That may be so. But is it anything against a man that 

he comes from the ~outh, if he is a good and honest committee-man 

and investigator f 

Mr. HALE. My point was that the high places in this Honse were given to these gentlemen from the South. 

IS THE SOUTH IN THE UNIONI 

1\Ir. COX. I have an idea that the South is inside of the Union now. I have an idea that they intend to stay. I have an idea that 

they should be treated fairly. If there is to be any criticism at all 

made upon this list of committees, ;t is that otir Speaker bas leaned 

rather a~ainst t.be South in making up the body of the committees, 

and in tavor of the North. Yes, it is so; do not shake your head; 

there is nothing in it, unless I make a mistake. [Laughter.] 

Now, the gentleman from Maine [1\fr. HALE] made an elaborate and, as I have already eaid, a" hefty" speech on this subject, and there 

is no other way to answer it except by giving these simple facts. 

NOW LET US CARRY THE WAR INTO AFRICA. 

The Cincinnati platform says: 

The national administration merits commendation for its honorable work in the 

management of our domestic and foreign affairs, and President Grant deserves the 

continued and hearty gratitude of the American people for his patriotism and im- mense services in war and in peace. 

If that is the case, why did the distinguished ex-colleague of my 

friend b.·om Maine, Mr. Blaine, speak in the way he did about such a good man as General Grant and his associates as rogues f Why did 

your party at Cincinnati unload him f 'Why are you all the time 

unloading! You unloaded a candidate for ~overnor in Indiana the 

other day. What fort What had he done T Does no one answer T 

Why did you unload Ex-Secretary Bristow f 

Mr. HALE. I suppose the republican party in Indiana followed the 

precedent of the democratic party, which bad unloaded their judicial 

ticket. 

Mr. ROBINSON. We unJoaded one, and you unloaded four. Your me stole G7,000; and your party admitted it, and unloaded them. 

We unloaded one, and are now 10,000 votes ahead. 

Mr. COX. Yon see we never defend our rascals; you defend yours 

when they are prosecuted. 

Mr. ROBINSON. You do not lrnow how to defend them. 

Mr. COX. Do not interrupt me again. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore, (Mr. CLYMER in the chair.) The gentleman from New York [l\lr. Coxl has the floor. 

Mr. COX. Certainly I have. I do not want to get np any feeling on the part of the gentleman 1rom Indiana and the ~entleman from 

Maine. The speech of the latter. was not worth answermg. It was too 

small, too microscopic in its fault-finding with this House. Yet I felt 

bound to do so in defense of our Speaker, who is ill and ab3ent. I would 

not do so if he were here, and in health to defend himself on the floor 

from this attack. I feel bound to justify him in this House for the 

nnsectional course he pursued in making up the committees of the 

Honse and in the general justice of his life and chara~ter. 

Mr. HALE. I made no personal reflection on the Speaker. I only 

claimed that he was impelled by his party. 

Mr. COX. Well, now, sit down and you will feel better after that 

remark. [Laughter.] · :.Mr. HALE. Does the gentleman feel any better for drawing it out Y 

Mr. COX. Now, you know you would nut allow any interruption 

yourself; but I allowed yon to come in whenever you pleased, be- cause it does not hurt any one. [Laughter.] 

In conclusion, and in answer to the remarkable speech which we have heard, and which may be called an incarnate ineptitude, [laughter,] I say that this House cannot be reproached this session with 

any culpability. It is not 'amenable to attack for anything except the 

indiscretion and impropriety of some two or three of its appointees. 

These we promptly removed. 

PUBLIC PRINTER DEFENDED. 

Do yon not remember that upon a resolution introduced by myself 

the Committee on Printing made an inquiry into the conduct of the 

Government Printing Office T That committee convicted your Congressional Printer; and be was discharged. Who re-appointed him Y 

President Grant, whom you indorse. in your platform. Do you indorse :Mr. Clapp's administration as Printer f You were very prompt 

to get up n. while ago. Do you indorse the appointment of Mr. Clapp as Printer to the Hoose and Senate 7 

1\fr. HALE. Does the gentleman want an answer 7 Be seems to 

invite one. Mr. COX. Yes, sir. 

Mr. HALE. According to the information I have received from 

members of the minority who took part in that investigation, I un- derstand that it was conducted entirely in an unfair, partisan man ner, and that there was r~ally nothing in the facts which warranted 

the removal of Mr. Clapp. 

Mr. COX. Did not the enat.e and the House, by a legislative act, 

agree that he ought to go out f • Mr. HALE. The House did. 

Mr. COX. And the Senate concurred bjy'its conferees. You cannot 

deny it. 

Mr. HALE. Does the gentleman mean to say that the Senate ac- ceded to the position taken by the HouijC upon that report of the com- mittee that conducted the printing investigation f 

Mr. COX. I did not say that. I say that on the sundry civil bill 

both Houses agreed that Mr. Clapp should go out. 

1\fr. HALE. The Senate agreed that this office should be fille.d by 

presidential appointment; and I believe it should. I voted for that 
1876. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE. 5333 

principle in the committee of conference, as I would again ; and the 

President has re-appointed the same man. Mr. COX. You approve of that appointment, do you f Do you indorse the appointment of M.r. Clapp f 

Mr. !tALE. Certainly I do. . Mr. COX. Yon do f 

Mr. HALE. Certainly. 

Mr. COX. Well, that is the last feather on the camel's back.. You are not the man to have made the speech you did. I mi~ht read upon 

you the report of the Committee on Printing and convmce JOU that 

yon indorse that which is very, very wrong. You ought to know better, if yon have read the reports. 

Mr. HALE. What does the minority report hold f 

Mr. COX. 0, well, we have had all that thoroughly discussed. 

Th() Senate and the House acted on it. The President has re-appointed your man; and now you indorse the Executive in putting 

this printing business again in his charge after the exposures made in 

this House. 

Mr. BALLOU. The gentleman from New York has asked why Mr. 

Clapp was re-appointed. 

Mr. COX. I cannot yield further. 

Mr. BALLOU. I say that there is not a particle of evidence from 

the beginning of that examination to the end to show that the Public Printer was not an honest, faithful officer. 

Mr. COX. How often must I try to speak without being interrupted f I have not interrupted any gentleman on the other side. 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York will 

proceed. 

Mr. VANCE, of Ohio. I would like to say one word, if the gentle- man from New York will allow me. Mr. COX. With the greatest pleasure. 

Mr. VANCE, of Ohio. If the evidence ofeir. Clapp, the Congressional Printer, and that of one man from New York, Mr. Garner, be 

taken side by side they will be fonnd to substantiate the very material charge made in the report of the majority of the Committee on Printing. To establish the majority of those charges nothing 

n1ore is necessary than t.he testimony of Mr. Clapp himself, and that 

of the man in New York, from whom be made his purchases. I need 

not refer to the recent editorial comments of the New York Times 

and other leading newspapers of the country, East as well as West, 

and the Chronicle, of this city. 

Mr. BALLOU. I wish to say there is no foundation for the statement just made by the gentleman from Ohio; there is no evidence to 

sustain it .. 

Mr. COX. I have been in this House sixteen years and have never bad a chance to close a. debate tmtil this ses.~ion. I have never had a chance to speak without interruption, though [ scarcely ever interrupt anybody. 

DISMISSAL OF COMMlSSIOr-'Ea PRATT AND HIS 8UCCE880R. 

What I want next to say is this: Mr. Pratt was dismissed as Commissioner of Internal Revenue, was he not J At least indirect1yf 

Am I rightf 

A MEMBER. He resi~ed. 

A MEMBER: Do not mterrupt him. 

Mr. COX. Why don't you come forward, if you want to f [.Laughter.] Who was put in his place f A General Bourn. [Laughter.] 

A MEMBER. No, Raum, of U1inois. 

MI·. COX. Well, Mr. Raum, of Illinois, waspntin his place. What 

is he known for f For sending a. dispatch about the whieky trials. 

That is all I can recollect about him, except that be was in one of our Congresses, which was not very creditable. [Laughter.] 

Mr. CONGER. The gentleman has been here sixteen years and 

ought to remt~mber his colleagues. 

Mr. COX. Can I not have my chance on the floor without interruption f 

Mr. CONGER. He has been with the gentleman on this floor and 

he ought to remember him. · 1.Ir. COX. I was not in that Congress and do not know anything 

about him . . All I know of him is the fact that he did congratulate 

the men who were engaged in crooked matters in Saint Louis. Do 

you approve of potting him in and turning such a man as Judge Pratt 

out f Do you suppose the people of Indiana who know Judge Pratt 

approve of thatf Everybody in Indiana who knows Judge Pratt, 

respects him as an honest man. I have known him myself to act in . relations of private trust. He is known as the honest man. Almost 

singular in that State, and in that respect, is ho thus known. But you 

could not stand him in that very remarkable Department. [Laugh- ter.] .Whyf , - GENERAL RAUM AND THE CROOKED DISPATCH. 

:Mr. CONGER. Will the gentleman permit me to ask him if he 

knows anything in the world in the character or reputation of Mr. 

Rau.m that is not that of a high· minded, honorable, and honest man f 

Mr. COX. I have· said that all I know of him in the world is a printed dispatch in relation to these whisky trials which he sent as a congratulation. 

:Mr. BURCHARD, of illinois.. The gentleman must remember that 

he was a gallant officer in the Union Army. 

Mr. GARFIELD. The gentleman from New York ought to remem- ber that he served in Congress with us. Mr. COX. He may have been a good member of Congress, though 

I think I never served with him. But I have known good members 

of Congress turn out afterward to be very bad men. [Laughter.) 

I do not say he was not a good member of Congress, but I do say that 

all I know about him is the congratulations to the crooked people at 

Saint Louis. [Laughter.) 

Mr. BURCHARD, of illinois. He was in the Union Army. 

1.Ir •. COX. He may have been a good soldier. I do not say anything against the soldier. What I say is that ~ ud~e Pratt was some- how turned out and another gentleman put m h1s place, and all I 

know of the man put in his place is that ~e ~nt this congratulatory 

telegraphic dispatch. [Laughter.) • Mr. CANNON, of illinois. Will the gentleman from New York 

yield to me in that connection and for this reason-- Mr. COX. To vindicate anything personal, I will. 

Mr. CANNON, of Illinois. Not at all; but General Raum is from 

my State. 

Mr. COX. Yes, sir; I know that. 

Mr. CANNON, of Illinois. I merely wish to say this: He is well 

known in my State, and there is not a man in Illinois who has a better reputation as an honest man and an able .. n than General Raum. 

Mr. COX. But is it not so of Judge Pratt,• Indiana f · Mr. CANNON, of Illinois. I understand so. Mr. COX. Then why is one put out and the other put in f [Laughter.] . Mr. CANNON, of Illinois. I am n()t speaking of that matter. I am only spe.,king as a citizen of Illinois and as a Regresentative of Illinois, and defending General Raom against the imputation the gentle- man makes against his character. 

Mr. COX. I did not make any imputation, sir; I know nothing of 

him, except so far as that dispatch is concerned. 

Mr. CANNON, of 111inois. Then I have nothing to say. 

Mr. COX. Of course you have nothing to say. [Laughter.] 

Mr. CANNON, of Illinois. I have only.defended him. 

A..~ UNC'SUAL ABRANGEMENI' FOR INTERPELL~TION8. 

Mr. COX. Don't you shake your finger at me that way. [Laughter.] I wi11 get scared if you do. [Laughter.] 

Mr. CANNON,of Illinois. With the permissiOn of the gentleman--

The SPEAKER pto tempore. The gentleman from New York has 

the floor and will proceed without interruption. 

Mr. COX. If the gentleman will agree to put his hands in his 

pockets, he can go on. [Great laughter.) 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman has the floor, and will 

proceed. 

Mr. CANNON, of ll~inois, rose. Mr. COX. My friend must speak, if at all, by following my re- quest and condition, and putting his hands in his pocket. LLaughter.] 

Mr. CANNON, of Illinois. I have both my hands in my pockets now. LLanght.er.] And I only want to sayThe SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York has 

the floor. 

Mr. COX. I will yield for one remark only._ Mr. CANNON, of Illinois. I wish to say this: I did not seek to interrupt the gentleman to mnke any point or to attempt to make any 

point, if I were capable of doing so. I do not 8ften interrupt gentle- men on the floor of this Hon86; but when the gentleman makes a remark by innuendoTHE ARRANGEMENT BROKEN. 

Mr. COX. The gentleman has his, hand out of his pocket and is 

shaking his finger at me again. [Great laughter.) 

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York has the 

floor and most not be interrupted. The Chair will not pennit it any 

longer. 

Mr. CANNON, of illinois. Now, if the gentleman thinks that is very 

courteous or smartMr. COX. I claim the floor after that remark. [Laughter.) 

Mr. CANNON, of illinois. The gentleman ought not to cut me off 

that way, although he has the right to do it. 

Mr. COX. When you abuse my courtesy I want you to be quietly' 

seated while I proceed with my remarks. 

Mr. CANNON, of lliinois. Very well, if you decline to yield further--

Mr. COX. I have yielded to you more than I ever did to any man for the same amount of frivolous idea. 

Mr. CAN~ON, of Illinois. Thank you. 

WHY GOVERNOR JEWELL WE..~ OUT. 

Mr. COX. Now, again, I want to know why Governor Jewell of 

Connecticut was compel led to resign. What was tha~ for f Because 

he said t.he country would not stand these strange removals and this 

curious conduct; nothing else. And yet the gentleman :from illinois 

and others defend the administration of General Grant. Not one of . them dare to go back upon the resolution of indorsement of General 

Grant at Cincinnati. Not one of the whole of that side of the House 

has yet been heard to take back one word of that platfonn eulogy 

touching General GrantMr. WELLS, of Mississippi, rose. Mr. COX. And his services in peace as well as in war. A gentle- man over there shakes his head. He does not believe in the Administration f 

Mr. WELLS, of Mississippi. I do. I do not tak·) back one wor~ 

•· . 
5334 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. AUGUST 9, 

THB ADHINISTRATION INDORSED. 

Mr. COX. Then you come within my category. Not. a man on that side has failed to defend the Apninistration. Not one. That was my remark. Yon all sta.nd by it. And thereby you stand by 

the removal of Pratt; you stand by the removal of the collector at 

Philadelpbia who bore the same l'elation as Bristow and Wilson, and 

tlte appointment of another in his place who bore a different relation. 

You stand by the accepted resignation and acquitt:tl of Belknap. 

You stand by the enforced resignation of Bristow. You stand by the 

removal of JewelL Yon stand by the removal of Bluford Wilson; of • Yaryan, [laughter;] of all t.bat class of men who were trying to punish the guilty and npholrl the laws. 11'1 there any one to challenge 

this remarkf You have favored to-day the retention of General Babcock in office, as well as in your platform, by the indorsement of the 

Administration. You have to-day on the :floor showed yourselves in 

favor of the retention of the Public Prlr!.ter, Mr. Clapp, who has been 

recommended for indictment. All through this b~autifnl civil-service business, from one end of it to tbe.otber, you have manfully stood 

np for the Cincinnati pl<~ tform indorsing the Administration. I honor 

you for it. Wbysbou"d.vou nott General Grant is your representative man. Babcock a~elkuap are your representative men. Bristow is not your representative man, or be would· not have been discarded here and at Ciooinnati. 

When you say it has cost a million dollars for investigation this 

session you thereby give that amount of credit. to the democratic 

party and to this side of the Honse for undertaking with all the en- ort:ry of Hercules to clean out the Augean stables. 

Now, sir, why is it when we are closing up the session you filibuster, as on yesterday, again and a):{ain, to prevent a full and prompt re- port of these investiaat.ionsf Wby is it that, failing to stop these re- port , you try to make up to-day for your gross delinquencies ai 

public servants by trivial exciJBes and small assaults on the constitution and conduct of this borly J Why does the gentleman from Maine 

make that sort of a speech w!Jicb Mirabean once designated when he 

described hasty will-making-" Ab ir4to, ab imbecilli, a tef-rito, a delinu,te." 

.Mr. HOLMAN. Give us the translation. 

Mr. COX. A speech angry, imbecile, fearful, and crazy. With 

that classic remark I conclude. 

Mr. RANDALL. I move that the House adjoun. 

1\ir. HOAR. Mr. SpeakerMany mem,bers called for the regular order. 

The SPEAKER pro temp01·e. The regular ordir be4tg demanded,· the question is on the motion to adjourn. 

The motion was agreed to; and accordingly (at four o'clock and 

five minutes p. m.) the House adjourned. 

PETITION. 

The following petition was presented at the Clerk's desk under the 

rule, and referred as stated: 

By Mr. WIGGINTON: The petition of the several clerks of the 

committees of the House of Representatives, for an equalization of 

the pay of committee clerks, to the Committee of Accounts. 

IN SENATE. 

·WEDNESDAY, AU{}ust 9, 1876. 

Prayer by the Chaplain, Rev. BYRON SUNDERLAND, D. D . . 

The Journal of yesterday's proceedings was read and approved. 

PETITIONS AND ME.MORIALS. 

The PRESIDENT pro tempore presented the petition of Alexander 

Moffit., Theodore F. Wilson, Jame.~ M. Thompson, and 22 other citi- zens of the District of Columbia, prayin~ for the appointment of a joint committee of. three, one from the t'\enate and two fro~ the 

House, to continue and finish the investigation of the charges made 

against the management of the Governme.nt Hospital for the Insano, 

the same having been ·partially considered and some proofs taken; 

which was referred to the Committee on tbe District of Columbia. 

'WILLIM! H. FRENCH, JR. 

Mr. OGLESBY. The Committeo on Indian Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. No. 3856) for the reliof of William H. French, 

jr., United States Army, late Indian agent at Crow Creok, Dakota, 

have had the same under consideration and instruct me to report it 

without amendment. There are several papers from the Department 

upon the subject. The bill is not one appropriating any money, but 

simply is to settle the accounts of this man; His accounts have been 

waiting at the Treasury for a long time to be settled, and it would be 

very agreeable to me to have the Senate take up the bill and pass it now. It is a matter taking no money out uf the Treasury, but simply 

settles an account. 

By unanimous consent the Senate, as in Committee of the Whole., 

proceeded to consider the bill. It is an authority to the proper ac- counting officer of the Treasury to adjust and settle the property ac- counts of William H. French, jr., late Indian agent at Crow Creek, 

• 

Dakota Territory; andif it shall be made clearlytoappearthat John 

A. Morrow, who was a contractor for furnishing supplies of beef-cattle to the Indian agencies, bas delivered to Henry F. Livingston, agent 

at Crow Creek, beef-cattle in lieu of 422,100 pounds, whicb.. be delivered to William H. French, agent, on 9th November,1870;ft Crow 

Creek, and for which Morrow afterward got receipts from Livingston, and collected from the Government on both, then the accounting officer shall be authorized to give French credit in his settleme:1t 

accordingly. 

Mr. SARGENT. Is there a report inAihis case f 

The PRESIDENT pro tentp01·e. There is no report accompanying 

the bill. . 

Mr. OGLESBY. T}le facts are these: Fre~ch, the agent, was about 

going out of his departm~nt. The man :Morrow delivered four hundred and twenty-one cattle, and French gave him a memorandum of 

the fact merely. :Morrow collected from the Department tbe valne of 

the cattle on that memorandum. LivingRton came in immediately 

after French, and the cattle were deliTered to Livingston. Livingston gave Morrow another receipt. Morrow collected on both receipts. 

Afterward Morrow agreed with the Department to deliver a second 

lot of 421,000 poun·ds of beef-cattle on the foot. The Department ac- cepted the offer; the cattle were delivered awl, as the papers show, 

received by Livingston and reported to the Burean. The second lot was delivered as the first lot, but French in the mean time had been 

charged on his memorandum and is still charged in the Treasury Department. All his other accounts have been settled, as the eecond lot 

had been delivered in fulfillment of the receipts, and the account 

completed. This bill simply authorizes the Treasury Department to 

give French credit for the charge against him on the first receipt or memorandum. 

.Mr. SARGENT. It involves no expenditure, I understand 1 

1\fr. ·OGLESBY. Not a dollar. 

The bill was reportE:'cl to the Senate without amendment, ordered to a third rea-ding, read the third time, and passed. 

WITHDRAWAL OF PAPERS. 

On motion of Mr. CAMERON, of 'Visconsin, it WM 

Ordered, That John H. Russell have leave to withdraw thtt papers in the matter of his claim against the United States for tho destruction of the steamboat J. H. 

Russell while, a.9 alleged, in the military service of the United States. 

THE CALENDAR. 

Mr. CONKLING. I move that the _Senate proceed now under the 

Anthony rule to consider the unobjeoted cases on the Calendar. · The motion was agreed ·to. 

The PRESIDENT pro ternpore. The Calendar 'viU be resumed at 

the point. where its consideration was last snspende<i. 

The CHIEF CLERK. The first business on the Calendar is the reso- lution instructing the Committee ou Commerce to inquire what legislation is 'necessary to regulate the immigration into the United 

States of persons from foreign conntrieM and to prevent t.be introduction of pauperism and immorality into the ports of the United 

States. 

.Mr. INGALLS. As the Senator from Vermont [.Mr. EDMUNDS] 1a 

not in his seat, I suggest that that go over. . The.PRESIDEN1' pro tempore. The re!olution will go over. 

MOSES MARSHALL. 

The next bill on the Calendar was the bill (S. No. 795) to enable 

Moses 1\farsball to make application to the Commissioner of Patents 

for the extension of letters-patent for improvement in knitting-machines; which vrasread the second time antl considered as in Committee of the Whole. It gives leave to Moses Marshall, of Lowell, Massachusetts, to make application to the Commissioner of Patents for an extension of the letters-patent granted to him for an improvement 

in knitting-machines, dated the 15th day of March, 185:~, for the term 

of seven years from and after the date of the extension by the Cgmmissiouer of Patents; the application to be made in the same manner and to have the same offect as if tho same had been filed not less than 

ninety days before the expiration of the original term of tbe patent; 

and upon such application so filed the Commissioner of Pat-ents is to 

consider and determine the same in the same manner and with the same effect aH if the application ·had been duly filed within the time 

prescribed by law and a.~ if the original term of the patent had not 

expired; but no person is to be held liable for the infringement of 

the lettters-pat-ent, if extended, for making use of the invention since 

the expiration of the odginal term of the letters-patent and prior to 

the dat-e of the extension. 

The bill was reported to the Sena:te without amendment, ordered 

to be engro sed for a third reading', and was read the third time. • The PRESIDENT p1·o tempore put the question upon the passage of 

the bill, and declared that the noes appeared to prevail. 

1\fr. WADLEIGH. I ask that the vote be taken again. This is a very meritorious case, one that was agrMd upon unanimously by the 

committee. It has been reported by two committees of the Senate 

unanimonsly. 

The bill was passed. 

SHELDON S. HARTSHORN. 

The next bill on the Calendar was the bill (S. No. 796) for therelief of the heirs of Sheldon S. Hartshorn; which was read the second 

time and consiuered as in Committee of the Whole. It authorizes the