Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-02-24
F0RTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
This Afternoons Proceedings,
THURSDAY. February q.


names, was read, when the amendments of the
House were concurred i'm.
MIR. Drake, from Committee on Naval Affairs,
reported blll for the relief Of Mrs. T.. Gray Ste
phens. which was passed.
Mr.. Howe, from Committee on the Library,
reported in favor of indefinite postponement of
Joint resolution to provide for the purchase of a
portrait OF the late President Lincoln, by John
III. Littlefield.
Mr.. Cameron presented resolutions of the
Common Council of Philadelphia in reference
U the centennial celebration OF the Declaration
OF Independence, which were laid on the table,
MIR. Wilson introduced bill to incorporate the
Island Institute OF Washington. Referred to
Committee on District of Columbia.
Also. bill to incorporate the United Aid Asso-
citation of " ashington.
Mr.. Stewart introduced bill to provide n
school OF mines Referred to Committee ON
Nh. Pomeroy introduced bin to provide for
the disposal of the great and little Usage reser-
vations in Kansas, and TO provide for the re-
moyal of the Usage Indians TO the Indian Ter
ritOry.
Mr.. Harlan suggested that it lie on the table.
as the Committee on Indian Affairs had already
matured a bill on the subject, and il was ac-
cordingly laid on the table.
Mr.. Salisbury offered a resolution requesting
the President to communicate whether a COM
mission as Provisional Governor of Mississippi
has ever been issued TO Gen. Ames, and if not,
10y what authority the said Gen. Ames has been
acting as said Provisional Governor.
NJ. Ednn Is oh ected to its present consider
ion, and accordingly went over.
Mr.. Stewart moved TO take up bill TO secure TO
all persons the equal protection of the laws, on
which MIR. Hamilton demanded the ayes and
lays, when it was taken up by ayes 40, NAYS ..
Mr.. Stewart stated that the only object of the
bill was to extend to aliens the protection Of our
laws.
Discussion occurred on the bill and the morn
ing hour expiring, il was laid over at the sug-
g,stion of Mr.. Sherman.
Mr.. Patterson, of New Hampshire, desiring 10
make a speech on the finances before leaving
ia home he inf all
sidered to be before the Senate to afford him the
opportunity.
Mr.. p. then read from manuscript an argu-
nlent upon finances. In regard to the National
hs sss saSe ss great s sdSsm h.n
OF the gigantic stock gamblers. He formed a
system of free banking based upon bonds draw
ing the least possible rate OF interest. The
views OF the Secretary of the Treasury were en-.
titled to great consideration. but did not alto
.ether meet his approval. He counseled more
rigid system of economy in the public expendit-
uYes-that the army and navy and civil service
should be reduced. He did not believe that the
conservatism of debt was a restraint upon the
extravaganza of nation; under its pressure,
rather, people may become reckless of their
good name. He knew our people would faith
fuily pay the debt incurred to crush treason
but il should not be paid in such a manner as 20
arrest the material development of the country
Mr.. Fenton said great national resources are
the first and most obvious elements of strength
but the subtle and sensitive power of public
credit is hardly less essential. No nation can be
exempt from the necessity of borrowing and
public credit is no less essential n peace than i'm
war. Great Britain, by the faithful fulfilhnent
of her obligations, is enabled to borrow at 3 per
cent. We are paying per cent; but if our
credit was what II.
HoCSE-The House galleries were crowded
about IL O'Clock this morning. After the read
ing of the journal the regular order was de-
manded, and Mr.. Whittemore arose to make a
speech in his defence. He had not proceeded
G.
and announced to the House that he had Just
received Mr.. Whittemore's resignation as rep
resentatIve from the first district OF South Caro-
lima. He also had the acceptance Of Governor
Scott. In view OF the fac he could not recog-
nize Mr.. Whittemore as member of the House,
and it was for the House to determine whether
he should be permitted TO proceed.
MIR. Logan, who held the floor as chairman of
the Military Committee, was appealed to to
yield to Mr.. Whittemore; but he declined to do
so unless the House would first determine whe-
ther IL would vote upon the resolution reported
from the Military Committee. III the House
would consider the resignation as i'm proper
form then there was no necessity for passing
resolution OF expulsion, and no occasion for MIR.
Wlnttemore to be heard If the House would
then Yield.
Mr.. ElGridge (Wis.) made the point of order
that the resignation before the House was not
in proper FORM as there was no proof of the
Governors acceptance except by telegraph.
The Speaker overruled the point OF order.
Resignation was a voluntary act, and the House
had sufficient evidence that Mr. Whittemore had
resigned.
Mr. Butler (Nass) made the point of order
that If Mr.. Whittemore was not a member TO
speak, he was not a member TO be expelled, and
that all further proceedings and discussions on
this point were out of order.
The Speaker overru,ed the point of order, as
it was for the House to determine the nature Of
resolutions TO be voted on.
Mr.. Bingham (Ohio) called the attention of
the House to precedents. He showed that it
tn Vf axxr1aa
resolutions were pending for the expulsion OF
members. In the case of Aatteson his resgna-
ton was accepted and the resolution for expul-
sion was laid upon the table while he was al
lowed to speak and resolutions of censure were
passed. 1t was competent Tor the House TO
allow Mr.. Whittemore to speak by unanimous
ever acton it pleased with regard to the pend
ing resolution.
Mr.. Banks (Mass.) contended that a member
could not resign without the assent of the House
thereto To determine otherwise would be TO
establish very unwise and unsafe precedent.
The very constitution of this body, he con-
tended. required its assent to the resignation OF
members. The House would therefore avoid
difficulty by allowing the gentleman to speak
and determining upon the resolution afterwards.
The Speaker stated that the custom Of the
House had been different from that stated by
Mr. Banks. The consent Of the House to q
members resignation was always implied.
Mr.. Banks reiterated that the consent Of the
House was necessary; II otherwise, the wise the char,
- s>~~ - -
Mr.. Dawes (Mass.) was disposed to take view
similar TO that taken by Mr.. Banks. He thought
this was a dangerous precedent to establish.
m the member who was subject to the punish
ment of the House could always escape by this
sort of resignation, then the House would have
no control over its members. The implied as
sent Of the House to resignation was not recog-
nized by any parliamentary rule or law al
though 1t had grown to be a custom, but he
thought the custom WAS q bad one.
In order to arrive at a vote In some form Mr.
Farnsworth (nl.) appealed from the decision OF
the Chair that the acceptance of q resignation
of a member of the House was always Implied.
Mr.. Cox N. " moved to lay the appeal on
the table; which motion was agreed to.
This virtually declared Mr.. Whittemore not
member of the House, and not subject to any
further action.
The resolution for expulsion was therefore laid
upon the table.
Mr. Logan Immediately, as a question of priv
iege, offered q resolution declaring that B. II.
Whlttemore had made appointments of cadets
in violation Of Law; that he was influenced to do
so by improper considerations, and that his con-
duet is therefore condemned. and he is unwor-
thy to be member of this House.
The previous question was demanded and
seconded, and the resolution was adopted