Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-24
FORTY-SEcoaD CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, March y.

SENATE.
Mr.. Sherman's resolution instructing the
Judiciary Committee to report a bill to sup
press ku-klux Outrages, in which Mr.. Scott
was entitled to the floor was taken up.
Mr.. Scott then addressed the Senate for
several hours upon the testimony reported on
the North Carolina ku-klux investigation, to
show that the organization in that State,
dated from August, 1868, and that their pur-
pose was to overthrow the reconstruction act
and disfranchsed negroes.
HOUSE.
A message was received from the Presi-
dent, and after it was read, Mr.. Shellabarger
moved that it be referred to a select commit
tee of nine, to be appointed by the Speaker,
and demanded the previous question.
Mr.. Cox moved to lay the message on the
table.
Mr.. Eldridge of Wisconsin move to ad-
journ.
Nr. Dawes of Mass, asked Mr. Shella-
barger to withdraw his demand for the previ-
Gus question and hold the floor
Mr.. Shellabarger withdrew his demand for
the previous question, and said he now moved
that by unanimous vote, day be fixed for
debate on the subject of the message. He
desired that the time be divided between the
two parties equitably
Mr.. Brooks of N. Y, would not consent
to any arrangement which would limit the
debate to legislation exclusively to one Sec
ton of the countryside South alone. There
were matters of more importance to the
north and west, than anything in the message
about the South. He spoke at some length
on the subject.
A long discussion ensued on the disposition
of the message, the democratic members all
protesting against any restriction of discus
sion, and asserting they were not opposed to
thorough and impartial investigation of the
actual state of affairs in the South.
Mr.. Butler said that some days ago he pre-
scented bill to remedy the state of things in
the South. He tried to get it before the
House. He asked his friends on the other
side of the House to consider it, and fix their
own time for debate, SO they could all con-
slider whether there was any necessity for leg
islation, but they insisted not to have hear
ing on the bill. 1t would not do to say the
bill was faulty, and there was no reason why
it should not be amended. The measures
could have been discussed two months ago.
Mr.. Morgan of Ohio, said he understood
the gentleman to remark that the bill met
with the approval of a majority of the repub
licans on the floor that perfect bill was not
to be expected. Everything is imperfect and
nothing needed more improvement than his
friend on the other side
MIR. Niblack of Ind, reminded the gentle
man that he should not call those ON the dem
ocratc side his friends.
Mr.. Butler replied that there was a time
when they not only recognized him as their
friend, but their leader. They had been
made over since he left them.
Mr.. Morgan said the gentleman in the
Charleston convention voted Sc times for
jeff Davis, as his party candidate for the
Presidency.
Mr.. Butler replied that he voted for repre-
sentation of the man the democracy APP
proved Afterwards the difference was-the
gentleman from Ohio would vote for Mr..
Davis and he would not.
Mr.. Morgan said that between Davis and
Butler, the country would justify him in max
ing the choice of the former.
MIR. Butler, amid the confusion, asked the
gentleman to repeat the remark.
No response being made, Mr.. Butler said
he would grant the gentleman the mercy of
silence as he did not hear him.
Mr.. Farnsworth of ILL.,. stated that he did
not attach any special importance to the
message of the President, and said the longer
the House stayed here the more harm would
be done.
Mr.. Hoar of Mass, said it was not true
that there had not been any change since the
4th of March. They had information by
every mail and pulsation of telegraph that
outrages were on the increase. 1t was idle
for the gentleman from ILL.,, to assert that no
new facts had occurred within the last three
weeks.
Mr.. Peters of Maine, said he had voted for
an adjournment, and had not given in his adj
herence to the so-ealled Butler bill, but they
know they had message from the Presidant
and had to give it respectful consideration,
courtesay usage and justice demanded it.