The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-03-29

trict of Columbia are hereby instructed to
inquire into the facts in this case. and to
consider what remedy can be applied to
prevent q repetition of such treatment on
account of color.
The Vice President said the resolution
could not be received without unanimous
consent.
Mr.. Bsyard objected and the resolution
was not received.
Mr.. Anthony called up his resolution
amending the order of business, under
which the Senate is now acting, so as to
admit the consideration of any bl'l in ref
erenee to the South received from the
House, and discussion arose between
Messrs. Anthony and Thurman, lasting
until the expiration OF the morning hour.
when the Senate resumed consideration of
unfinished business, Mr.. Summers San Do
m!ngo resolution, and
Mr.. Howe continued his reply to Mr..
Summers speech of yesterday, and in
defense OF the Presidents course IN the San
Domingo matter. In conclnsin he said the
mission of the republican party was not
ended, and he would beseeoh q man who
would engage 10 its destruction, to take his
position with the common enemy and not,
Judsslike, stab in the back the party to
which he protessed TO belong.
Mr.. Frelinghuysen optained the floor, and
spoke in eulogy Of President Grant, and
criticized the action of Mr.. Sumner in pre-
cipitation this discussion In advance of the
report of the Commissioners, from which
alone Congress ard the public could form
an opinion.
Mr.. Sumner briefly defended his course,
saying he had doae simply what he believed
TO be right.
Mr.. Schurz next addressed the Senate.
He did not think the report of the Commis-
sion, which had just returned from plea
SAINT iaunt to San Domingo would prove
very influential, either In the Senate or be
fore the country, for he thought the treaty
already effectually disposed of He then
proceeded to review the sarcastic manuer of
the speech of Mr.. Howe, and said if it was
proven that orders had been issued TO our
naval commanders in gross violation of the
Constitution, then something more than
mere rhetorical honrishes about General
Grants services or about Secretaries
of State and the Navy would be
required to answer the proof. He then
proceeded to argue that, under the consti-
tutional clause vesting in Congress the war
making power, the Executive could
not commit an act of war unless in case of
actual invasion of the territory of the Unit
ed States or by express congressional author
ity. The instructions of the President to
our naval forces, directing them in certain
contingencies to FIRE upon the vessels of
Hayti, power with which we are at peace,
was most clearly usurpation of the war
making. In reyly to questions By Messrs
Howe and Stewart, Mr. Schurz denied that
discretionary power vested in the President
and cited them 80 the declaration of the
Senate in 1859, when Buchanan asked dis
cretionsry power to protect our citizens in
transit of the 1sthmus of Panama, and the
Senate indignantly refused. The fact s wa
| President Grant had fallen into mistake,
supposing that he was U. S. America. He
defended the course of Mr.. Sumner, declAr
ing that in his opinion, he deserved the
gratitude OF the whole country. He said
| the defenders of the administration had ap
psrently acknowledged themselves defeated
on constitutional grounds, and as a last
resort have fallen back upon the weak and
dangerous support of precedents. The only
one referred to in our history was that o.
the acquisition of Texas during the admin
istration of John Tyler, and when John G.
Calhoun Was Secretary of State, and this
Mr.. Sehurz contended, was no precedent as
Tyler took no such course Is that pursued
in the San Domingo matter.
A lively colloquial discussion occurred
between Messrs. Sohurz and Morton upor
the proper Interpretation of the dispatch
FROM our government to the diplomatic
agent in Mexico, saying that the United
States would regard with dIsfsvor any at
tempt on the part of Mexico to in ;erfer'
with Texas during the pending annexation
negotiations, Mr.. Morton contending that i
was a direct threat Of of war, and Mr.. Schur1
that it was nothing but an ordinary diplo
matte correspondence.
Before Mr. Schurz concluded, the Senate
adjourned.
HoUsE.-Mr. Poland presented 9 memo
rial of Archibald Fisk's, claiming election
to Congress in the Fifth District of Masss
chusetts, and protesting against the right o
all sitting members from that state. Re
ferred.
Mr.. Shellabarger, from the selSc: com
miEtee on the Presidents message, reportet
bill to enforce the provisions OF the l5d
Amendment to the constitution of th'
United States and for other purposes. Th'
bill, which is very long. was read at length
The main features have been already pub
hshed. The bill was then read seconC
time, and the question then being on order
ing it to be engrossed and read a thir
time, q mutual agreement was made tbs
the vote be taken on Monday next, and rhs
the time be equally divided between bot
sides of the House.
Mr.. McNelly inserted that while debatin
this bill end the appropriation bill, the con
mittee of this House should be instructed
bring in bill apportiouipg the represents
ton in Congress.
The passage of such bill this session.
due to the West, and especially Illinoi
whose legislature is now in session an
ready to act under such bill If passed,
not passed this session, it will compel tb'
i legislature TO meet again next winter at
vast expense to the State.
= Mr. Shellsbarger then opened the debst
explaining in details the provisions Of Il
r bill, and was followed BY Mr.. Kerr in o
8 position, and Mr.. Stoughton in support
: the bill.
At the conclusion Of the lstters remsr
D the House adjourned.
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