The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1871-02-11
House of Representatives..

Mr.. Sargent of California introduced bill in
the House looking TO the relief of presumption
settlers ia that State, which was referred to the
committee on Public Lands.
The test oath question came up and was quite
thoroughly discussed. About it are clustered
questions aud associations that have a tendency
to place parties back to the dark DAYS of the re-
bellion. The agitation of the question is bound
10 take this shape to greater or lesser degree
The abolition of this oath was warmly opposed
by many members from the Southern States
Mr.. Long of Georgia said that this bill would re-
leve the gangs of Klu Klux assassns that are
now committing midnight outrages upon loyal
men, and who have stricken down Eve hundred
loyal citizens in his State without being brought
to trial. Pending the discussion of this combus-
tible subject Mr.. Porter of Virginia and Mr.. Cox
OF New York had deal of sparing that called
the speakers gavel into requisition. After
series of amendments had been offered, some al
lowed, the majority rejected, the gauntlet of par
liamentary tactics having been run without seri-
GUS detriment to the probability of the bills sue
cess, it was passed by vote of llS to 80.
Mr.. Hambleton of Maryland introduced a reso-
luton, which requests and directs the Secretary
of War to have the Wicomico river surveyed at
Salisbury, Maryland, for the purpose of ascer-
tanning the practicability of the removal of the
bar at that locality. The resolution was passed
memorial was presented by Mr.. Swami in
behalf of Mrs. Louisa Jenkins widow of Henry
jenkins, in relation to crimped wire work, ask
ing for an extension Of the patent for the same.
1t was referred to the Committee on Patents.
Mr.. Porter asked leave TO introduce a resolu-
ton directing the Committee on Military Affairs
to inquire what legislation is necessary to protect
cadets at West Point from prosecution ON account
| Of race or color, and to have read letter upon
which his resolution was based. There being
objection to having the House entertain this reso-
luton, Mr.. Porter moved to suspend the rules,
which motion was voted down.
Mr.. Dawes of Massachusetts offered bill ap-
propriating $40 900 to defray the expenses of the
committee appointed to investigate the condition
of the Southern States. There being no quorum
present the Sergeant-at-Arms was busly en-
| Rageu III uuullHS up anu uGluSlnS III tDc ueIlu-
quents. While this was going on the House per-
sistently refused to adjourn. Two absentees
came in bringing Sergeant-at-Arms with them.
They were both excused on account of ill-heath.
Another was excused on account of having
sick child Mr.. VOORHEES, ofIndiana was brought
in and arraigned before the bar of the House and
Intercepted as TO why be was absent. He stated
that when be left, people of common sense out
| side of this House went to their dinners and in
addition to that the "yeas" and mays" were
being called on a motion TO adjourn at the time
of his exit, and he supposed the House had adj
| journed upon that motion. After considerable
talk upon the subject be said he had gone home
to his dinner and the house might do what it
| pleased with him. Mr.. Farnsworth moved that
he be fined S25 for leaving for his dinner. He
was excused. Amid confusion, pending dlatory
motions, sharp tactics, &C., members dropped in
or were escorted in, one by one, until a voting
quorum was on hand, when the bill passed by
| l2l TO 43, after which the House adjourned.
A bill was passed to prevent cases once audited
from being re-opened in the Treasury Depart
ment, and for preventing officials in said depart
ment from becoming agents for the collection of
claims The Ways and Means committee repor-
ted a bill torepealthe Income tax. The Nation
al Education bill was discussed at some length