Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-04-19
Forty-Second Congress-First Session.
WASHINGTON, d. c., April Is.
GENArI

Senator Fenton make personal explanation
in the senate this morning, branding as false the
lntimation that he influenced Mr.. Winans, of
the New York senate, in his desertiOn from the
republicans and enlistment in the democratic
ranks.
The report of the conference committee on the
kukluX bill was presented.
Mr. Thurman moved to print and postpone
it till tomorrow.
Mr. Trumbull favored a recommittal of the
bill to the conference committee, so that it
might be amended to obviate various defects to
which he called attention. In modification of
the amendment levying damages upon property
in the vicinity where political outrageS were
committed however it had been in other coun-
tries, no such principle had ever been laid down
in the United States He knew of no authority
in congress to go into county or town to levy
taxes for such purpose.
Mr.. Edmunds remarked that the political
stomach of his friend, Mr.. Trumbull had be-
come very sensitive of late.
Debate upon the conference report was con-
tinued, mainly as to Mr.. Sherman's amend
ment which had been inserted when the bill was
previously before the senate without discussion
Mr.. Sherman cited, at length, a number of
precedents, in support of his amendment, which,
he said, would be more effective in suppressing
violence in the south than all of the other pro-
visions of the BILL
Mr. Stevenson, q member of the conference
committee, stated the reasons for his dissent
from the report The suspension of the habeas
corpus by the president, until the next session
of congress, was designed to carry it over TO the
next presidential election. He then argued to
show the unconstitutionality of the Sherman
amendment, in a levy ofdirect taxes upon towns
and counties.
Mr. Thurman argued that the Jurors test oath
clause contained an extraordinary provision,
allowing judge to strike off the names OF
those who could not take the iron-clad oath,
these embracing nine-tenths of the intelligence
of the south; and he held that the amendment
of his colleague was neither justified by the
law of England nor American precedents, from
both of which he quoted in support Of his argu-
ment.
Mr.. Cole submitted the conference committees
report on the deficiency appropriation bill, and
the senate took a recess.
EVENING SESSION.
Debate on the conference report uTon the ku-
klux bill was resumed. The report of the COM
mittee recommends, in regard to the jurors test
oath provision repeal, that the part OF the pres
ent law which makes giving encouragement or
aid to the rebellion either directly or indirectly
q ground of challenge or disqualification OF a
juror, leaving it discretionary with the district
attorney to move, and, with the court, to i'm
pose the OATH suspension of the habeaS corpus
is continued until the end of the next regular
session of congress, as fixed by the senate; the
provision assessing damages upon localities
where outrages are committed, was amended,
among other particulars, to require suit to be
brought against individual perpetrators of out
RACES, and, where judgment remains unsatis-
fed for two months, the loss or damage may be
assessed upon the county or parish
MIR. Morton asserted that congress had ample
power to pass the bill, and the condition of the
south made the passage Of the bill an impera-
tive necessity.
After speeches against concurring in the re-
port by Meesrs. Bayard and Davis of Kentucky,
the report was adopted-32 to 16,
The republicans voting in the negative were
Messrs. Schurz and Sprague.
Consideration of the conference report on the
deficiency appropriation bill was then continued.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Vermont member of the con-
ference committee, urged the Importance of
maintaining the provision for the new park,
which the report proposed to strike out.
Mr.. Conklng and Mr.. Carpenter objected to
the provision for the assignment OF an attorney
on the part of the government before the south
ern claims commission, as having the effect to
commit congress to recognition of claims
approved of by a tribunal of its own creation.
During further discussion Mr.. Howe opposed
the report. and Mr.. Edmunds called attention
to the evil of loading down a deficiency bill with
irrelevant matters, and the necessity of apply
ing speedy remedy.
The conference report was then rejected by a
tie yote-26 to 26-and new conference on the
bill ordered.
Mr. Conkling introduced concurrent resolu-
ton fOr auJOurnHent to-norroW, NeuueSday-
laid over.
At II 80 the senate went into executive ses-
sion, and soon after adjourned.
HOUSE.
Immediately after the reading Of the journal
Gen. Butler asked leave to make personal eX-
PLANTATION.
Mr.. Beck of Kentucky objected, remarking
that so long as the indictment Of the gentleman
against his state Stood that Gen. Butler should
make no explanation with his consent.
The speaker announced the appointment OF
committees as follows:
Joint Select Committee on Outrages in Southern
States-Messrs Poland, Maynard, Sconeld. Cook
V V, stevenson, Buckley. Lansing, Cox, Beck,
'SSoI,ns s van Trump, Waddell and Robinson.
oelect committee on Mississippi Levees-Messrs
Aorey' ketcham, Mckee, Lett and Duke.
Inc mouse then proceeded to the business on
tne speakers table, taking up and passing, after
and other bills from the senate.
This completed the business on the speakers
table, and the house, after recess Of twenty