Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-03-23
ESTABLISHED MARCH 80, 1885.

the gentleman from Massachusetts, Mr..
Dawes, is that if this resolution be
adopted we will embark in general
schemes Of legislation. / undertake to
say it does not by any means follow that
ifthe concurrent resolution for ad journ>
ment be reconsidered we will embark in
general legislation. 1t will be competent
for the two houses to determine how
soon they will adjourn, and they will
be as competent to determine it next
week or week after, as they were compe~
tent to determine last week. But l do
not have that dread the gentleman from
Massachusetts seems to have. The gen>
tlemad from New York (Mr. Brooks) as
sumes that Congress cannot be trusted
in the exercise of discretion to legiSlate
on such measures as may be brought be-
fore it. Think the time is to be here, if
not already here, when public interests
Will demand that Congress remain in ses
sion most all the time. This is vast and
complicated government, with vast inter
eSts, and corruption creeps into the de-
Iartments Of the government more
readily when Congress is not in session
than when it is in session. The presence
! of Congress is essential at all times as q
guard on all departments of the govern
ment. Mr.. Lawrence went on to say
that there was an Indian treaty before
the Senate which would take out Of the
treasury fifteen million in one year, as
he learned from the New York Herald
OF the 22d. They were indebted to that
paper and others for giving to the coun~
try information in reference to the mode
these treaties are made in secret, negotia-
ted in secret, and considered and ratified
in secret.
The Speaker reminded Mr. Lawrence
that his argument was not parliamentary |
or in order as it involved a reflection on
the Senate.
Mr.. Lawrence said he presumed the |
chair was right. lie, therefore, left that |
part Of the argument and proceeded to
show from the condition Of affairs in the |
unreconstructed States that Congress
should remain in session. lie thought a
safe rule was to do the business which |
the country demanded to be done, and |
then adjourn. he moved the previous |
question on the adoption of the resolu-
ton.
Mr.. Garfield desired him to withdraw
it, but Mr.. Lawrence declined.
The Republican Senators were in eau
Gus about two hours this morning, and
about the same length Of time this eyens
ing, on the tenure>of-Ofiice act.
Mr.. COnklings proposition to suspend
the law for four years, or during the ads
ministration of President Grant, was dis
cusSed with much animation. A nuns
Der Of Senator's declared they would not
be bound by caucus, and retired from the
room.
Mr. Edmunds subsequently offered q
resolution that the act ought not to be
repealed; this also caused lively debate.
Finally a resolution was adopted that
the bill and pending amendments in
the Senate shall be recommitted to
the Committee on judiciary, with
view to a modification of the law
now in force. II is not known what
changes will be proposed. Many Sena-
tors suppose they will be such as to
release the President from the present
embarraSsments. 1t would seem that
the majority ef Senators are opposed to
a total repeal Of the law, and desire to
retain its principles, but think some pro
visO may be added which will render it
generally satisfactory. As the House
has twice passed bill for its repeal, the
difference between the two branches Of
Congress may ultimately be adjusted |
through a committee of conference.
Charles NJ. Welder, colored, has been
recommended by the South Carolina
congressional delegation and ordered by
the Postmaster General for Postmaster
at Columbia in that State. He was
formerly United States Marshal, a mems
Der ofthe State Constitutional COnVen,
ton, and is now member of the Legis-
lature.