Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-06-14
CONGRESSIONAL.
FOrty-First Congresses Second Session.


SENATE.
| WASHINGTON, June I3.-Mr. Cole in
| troduced a bill regulating the manufac-
| ture of brandy from grapes, apples,
| peaches and other fruits.
Mr.. Pomeroy offered a resolution di-
recting the Attorney General to examine
the charges made by the international
Ocean Telegraph Company upon mes
/ sages passing over their line, and report
to The Senate, if they are in excess of the
rates allowed by the act of Congress, ap-
proved May 5th, 1866. Adopted.
Mr.. Howard called up the land grant
| bill for a railroad through Dakota Terri
tory. 1t was amended so as to prohibit
the company taking any land in Indian
reservation or running through without
the consent of the tribe occupying it an6
of the President of the United States, and
passed.
The apportionment bill was taken up in
Committee of the Whole, and the Senate
Committees amendment agreed to. The
bill was then reported to the Senate,
the question being on cOncurring in the
first amendment, increasing the number
of representatives in the House from 275,
as provided by House bill, to 3O0
Morton opposed the proposed increase
of sixty members, the present number
being 240, as making the House too un-
wieldly and impairing its efficiency. Re-
ferring 70 the disadvantages of making
population the basis of representation, he
said the result of the large increase of
members which would follow would be
the same as in the British House of Com
mons, where the deliberations we're
mainly confined to the Chairmen of COM
mittees, and the members were, as a
class, generally Indifferent to business,
sometimes not more than fifty out of the
whole six hundred being present.
Mr.. Thayer was in favor of the largest
increase as lessening the onerous duties
of the members and in justice to the new
States.
Mr.. MorreIl, of Vermont, in reply to
Mr.. Thayer, said that with the figures
at three hundred, Rhode Island, Vermont
and probably New Hampshire would each
lose member.
Mr.. TrumbuI thought that it was
only a matter of opipion, and re-
ferred to the estimate Of the census re-
turns for 1870, from the New York Tn
bUHs, according 70 which, on the basis of
three hundred members, no State would
lose representative except Vermont,
and it was uncertain whether she would
or not. The estimate, after allowing for
persons deprived of the right to vote,
placed the total population at forty mil
lions.
Mr.. Drake took similar ground too.
Mr.. Morton was unwilling TO recognize
the principle that no State should have its
representation diminished.
Mr.. Trumbull read a statement of the
estimated increase Of representation of
each State upon the basis of three hun,
dred members by which Massaehu-
setts, Connecticut, North Carolina,
Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky and
Kansas gained one member, and
d - jersey South Carolina, Georgia,
N
Ohio, California, Indiana, two; New York,
Missouri, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota,
three, and Pennsylvania and Illinois,
Eve. Virginia and West Virginia would
have an increase which is not determined.
The other States would remain as at pre-
sent, except possibly Vermont, which
might lose one.
Mr.. Yates argued that small districts
would make representatives more direct
ly responsible to their constituents.
HOUSE.
The Speaker laid before the House a
message from the President eondemna-
tory of the atrociOns manner in which
the conflict in Cuba is carried on on both
sides, representing that the object of the
Cubans is to urge their recognizance of
belligerent rights by the United States in
. var with Spain, and declaring his in
ability to see in the present condition of
the contest there those elements that are
required to constitute war in the sense
of the laws, and inviting the attention of
Congress to all bearing on the question,
and the message having been read,
Mr.. Banks, chairman of the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, moved 1t be laid on
the table and printed.
Mr.. Judd, member of the committee,
suggested its reference TO the Committee
on Foreign Affairs.
Mr.. Banks said the question had been
fully considered by that committee, and
they made a report, which will come up
tomorrow.
Mr.. Banks modified his motion, and
moved 10 refer the message to the Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs.
Mr.. Cox moved to lay the message on
the table, which was negatived.
The message was then referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the
House adjourned.