Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1869-02-12

Mr.. Merrill, Of Vermont, addressed the
Senate, and announced bis intention Of
msviag an amendment to the funding Sec
ton. so that any debt bearing higher rate
Of interest than 8 per cent. may slss be
funded.
Mr..Corbett followed, explaining and ad.
vecating his amendment. He regarded the
present currency Of the United States as
the worst possible. because fixed 10 amount,
and therefore liable to disastrous nanipu-
lstion by local spectators; also because
il Was not u part Of the general suIrsncy
Of the wsrld, and incapable Of circulation
abroad.
At the conclusion Of Mr.. Corbstts re-
marks the bill for the further security Of
equal rights ia the District Of Celumbis
was passed. II strikes the wsrd "Whits"
from the Laws Of the District and from the
charters Of Washington and Georgetown.
Il had already psssed twice, but each tine
10 less than ten days Of thssloss Of the sss-
sion, asd failed 70 become . Law because
retained By the Pfasident.
The bill to regulate election Of Washing
ton and Idaho territories Vas passed.
The bill for paying the widow Of Samuel
D. Hart three thousand dsllsrs compsosa.
ton for use BY the government Of gun screw
invented BY her late husband, after SEINE
debate, was passed.
Mr.. Corbett introduced bill 10 aid in
tho construction Of the Oregon branch OF
J the Pacific railroad. Referred 10 the com
+, mittee on Public Lands.
| The Senate then went into executive
session and soon after adjourned.
HousE Speaker Colfax stated that the
6rst business vas question Of privilege
pending at the time Of adjournment yes
terday, and ~ he had expressed an opinion
or the floor, be had asked Mr.. Dawes "a
occupy the chair during the discussion. lii
| asked the House to authorize the Speaker
pro TEN to appoint committee to wait upor
the President and Vics President elect and
officially notify them Of their election.
Mr.. Bntlss moved. after NJ. 8hsllabaagsI
had concluded his remarks in opposition &
Wis (Batler's) resolution protesting sgains
counting the vote Of Georgia, that the rese
luton be reieeted 70 select committee and
that on the report Of such select committed
full discussion Be had.
Mr.. Dawes teek the chair.
NJ. Wilson. Of Iowa, and Mr.. Pruys
were appsinted committee - isfesm III,
President and Vice President Of their cleo
tios.
| Mr.. Shellabsrgsr then opposed Mr. But
lsr's resolution in . speech.
I. Mr.. SbeIlabargsr said that. while accord
ing 10 the gentleman from Massachusetts,
there was - iategrity Of purpose Of III,
Important matter before the HOUSE. yet .,
far % his own opinion was concerned, b,
took the ground that the concurrent rsso
luton in refereu 10 the electoral vote o
Georgia Was not constitutional. Il va,
copied from similar resolution adopted q
ths time Of the election Of President Mon
roe. He defended President Wade sgains
the charge Of wrong doing il his actiel
yesterday.
i Mr.. Thomas also tsok the position tha
ths prssiding officer in jsiut session d,t
whst WAS his duty 10 40.
Mr.. Etdridgs dsolsssd HE belief tn. tn
concurrent resolulisu and 93d ieint rul
were both in contrsvpntion Of The consti
tutisn. He he'd reissd that. question Of or
der yesterday, Aadi il u had bssu sustainst
all the difficulty in which ths Hsuss On,
the convention we're involved, would b
removed. He said that the dsty of tn
} President Of the Senate Was simply 4
open and count the votes, and the concur
rent resolution was in his judgment an ut
ter nullity.
| Mr.. Bingham, Of Ohio, said that the res
olution OF censurs was proposition tina
the members Of tht House should declar
themselves violatofs Of the Law under thsil
oaths. and that tho concurrent resolution
was obligatory on the President Of th,
ssn..; vac s,h hi. dYty to ,, do ss.s.!'
chusetts tsked the House to say in fact tina
the people must, in their own words, hav'
recognized the sacred rights Of Virginia.
Mr.. Butler said Mr.. Bingham MAS no
using his words in the connection he use
them.
Mr.. Bingham. replied that hs vas GA
the gentleman teek back his words.
Nj. Butlsr-Itaks back nothing.
II Mr.. Bingham Then ask the House 4
compel you - take back your Ssvslstiol
resolution, which I deneuncs % unwar
rantable a any act Of secession.
NJ. Bingham continued to dcnounes th
resolution, and was followed by n.
Schsnek, who criticized and replied 10 III
legal and constitutional arguments Of hi
colleague (Mr. Shollabargsr). In tn
course OF his remarks be announced hi
opinion that the Speaker he'd no right /
order the Sergcant-at Arms to arrest IN
member Yesterday, while the joint convcn
ton was in progress.
The Speaker, frem his place on the foo,
asked Mr.. Schenck to yield the floor 4
|. him, which was granted, and he proceed
to defend his course at some length an
!, with considerable feeling.
Mr.. Schenck disclaimed any intention Q
impugning the motives Of the Speaker (; j
was only a question Of law and right Wit