The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1870-03-02

WASHINGTON, February.2 %. l870s
SENATE.
Mr. VICKERS presented memorial |
from the National Board Of Trade for the
passage of a marine apprentice law. Re |
fsrred TO Committee on Commerce.
Mr.. STEWART presented the creden-
tials of Aessrs Farrow and Whitley, SEN |
ators elect from Georgia, and asked their |
reference to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. DRAKE said the papers were
simply Commissions from the Governor of
Georgia. The manner of election of Sena-
tors, and of authenticating the fact, to the
Senate was prescribed by the Constitution
and nothing in that instrument or in any
act Of Congress authorized any Governor
Of any State to commission any man as
Senator of the United States. 1t did not
appear from the paper when the party was
elected, nor was his election certified to by
the President Of the State Senate as re-
quired by law. He thought the paper
ought not to be received -...s =
Mr.. POMEROY said the Constitution
required each House to judge Of the quail
ifcation and election of its members,
therefore he favored reference to com
mittee, so that the facts might be inyesti-
gated.
Mr.. DRAKE insisted on his objection
Mr.. STEWART withdrew the papers
for the present
Mr.. HOWARD, from the Committee on
the Pacific Railroad, reported joint res
olution authorizing the Northern Pacific
Railroad to issue mortgage bonds, with an
amendment providing that the company
may make good any deficiencies in its
land grants arising from a previous dispo-
sition Of lands along its line, by taking in
an equal quantity with an additional limit
of ten miles.
Mr. WILSON, from Committee on Mil
itary Affairs, reported without an amend
ment bill providing for the disposition of
various useless military reservations; also,
the House Joint resolution authorizing the
sale OF certain land a. Springfield, Massa-
| chusetts.
Mr.. SCHURZ, from the Joint Commit
| tee on Retrenchmen5, reported with an
amendment the bill introduced by him
last December to reform the civil service
1t provides for the appointment by the
| President, with the consent of the Senate,
a civil service board of commissioners who
| shall prescribe qualifications requisite for
the appointment into each of the branches
and grades of civil service, and examine
applicants for such positions, excepting
judges and clerks of United States Courts,
members of the Cabinet, ministers to for
elgn countries and officers of the Senate
and House of Representatives and here
after all other appointments of civil officers
shall be made from persons who have been
found duly qualified under regular estab
hshed rules by this Board The appoint
ments by the heads of Departments are to
be made IN the order of seniority and
merit. The Board may call to its assist
ance such officers of the government and
men Of learning as it deems fit The Off
GERS now in the civil service may be re-
CURED by the President to submit to the
test of an examination, and if not found
qualified shall be dismissed. Otherwise
the present officers shall hold their posi-
tions for five years from the date of their
commissions. Officers appointed on rec
ommendation of the board are to be ap
pointed for twelve years but of the first
nine appointed, three shall go out every
four years; their salaries are fixed at SIX
thousand dollars per annum. Women are
to be equally eligible with men for exami-
nation and appointment to all offices shey
, can fill equally well
Mr.. CONKLING, from the Committee
/. on Revision of Laws, recommended an in
definite postponement of the consideration
of the resolutions of the New York Leg,
islature, resembling the ratification of the
Fifteenth Amendment Mr. Conklinl
! then spoke at some length, showing tht
effect this amendment would have through
out the country, extending the right o
suffrage to hundreds and thousands of tn
down-trodden race, and claiming Their
, was no more fitting time for rejoicing owe
this great and accomplished reform, thai
on the birthday of Washington. 10
: Mr.. DAVIS delivered an argument t
i show that the power to reject constitu
tional amendment existed IN the State b,
implication, necessary consequence c
the power to ratify.
: Mr.. POMEROY moved that as q tribut
: of respect for the day the Senate now a
Il o'clock adjourn.
Before putting the motion the chai
: called attention to the invitation from th
e Maryland Legislature to visit Annapol
y near which city the British ship Monarc
Il Is now lying.
Adjourned