Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-12-17
FOrty-secOnd COngress--Third Session.
WASHINGTON, Dee. 1G.
VVNZ~ ~ -

W ASHINGToN, Dec. 10.
SENATE
Mr.. Morton stated that the election committee
during the recess had not investigated the
charges against Mr.. Caldwell of Kansas, owing
to the difficulty of getting the committee TO-
gether.
Resolutions were adopted instructing the com
mlttea on the judiciary to inquire how far con-
gress authorized to regulate the rates of fare and
transportation on railroads between the states
under that provision which authorizes congress
TO regulate commence between the states. Also,
TO ina ire as 10 the power of congress to author
lie the construction and operation of railroads
passing into or through two or more states.
a resolution appointing a committee of seven
to consider the question of providing cheaper
transportation from the west to the Atlantic
seaboard, after some discussion, was passed.
Mr.. Cragin gave notice that he would call up
the bill for the construction of ten war steamers
To morrow.
Mr. Sherman, from the committee on finance,
reported with amendments the house bill au-
tnorlzng the exchange of registered bonds for
coupon bonds. As amended, the bill author
ICES the secretary Of the treasury to issue coupon
ponds in other respects of the same class and
description, provided the expense Of their issue be
paid by the owner thereof, and under such regu-
iationS as the secretary Ofthe treasury prescribes
Mt. Sherman also reported the house hill
revising the mint and coinage laws, with
amendments, among which was one providing
~ tottNN upiui VI tllG Weight VI 4Zu STdllS Troy,
silver half dollars weighing -! grammcs, and
quarter dollar and dime respectively 1 ? and 10
the weight of the fifty cent coin. All these
silver coins are to be legal tenders at nominal
value for any amount not exceeding 81 in any
one payment.
Mr.. Cameron called up thu French SpoliatiOn
bill and spoke in its favor.
MIR. Nckers followed in advocacy of the bill,
which was then laid aside informally
On motion of Mr. Sherman the senate reCeded
IRON its amendment to the internal revenue bin
providing for the appointment OF twenty-five adj
dltional revenue agents.
Mr.. Pratt submitted a report from the COM
mittee of conference on the bill relating to the
bed of Beaver lake Indiana.
AT four O'Clock the senate went into executive
session and soon adjourned.
HOUSE.
The bills introduced included the following:
For the distribution of the Geneva award; for a
lighthouse at New Haven harbor; and for the
repeal of the stamp duty on matches.
The committee on ways and means will to-
morrow hear Boutwell, and Jay Cooke on Syndi-
cate business.
large number of other bills were intro.
duced
Mr.. Hale of Maine offered the following con-
current resolution:
Whereas, the national unity cannot fail to be
strengthened by the remembrance of the services
of those who fought in the battles Of the Union in
the late war Of the rebellion; therefore be it
Resolved, as the exposition of the sentiment of
congress, that no measures be taken toward remoy.
ing from The army register the regimental cOors
OF the United States, the names of the battles of the
rebellion.
Adopted; yeas lis, nays SO.
No republican voted against the resolution.
and only four democrats for it, namely: N
Getz Of Pennsylvania, N. Hubbard and Parker
Of New Hampshire, and Monson Of Indiana.
Mr.. FarnsWOrth offered a resolution instruct.
fine most office committee n irn t,+ l,o
propnety of the election of postmasters;
adopted.
Mr. Buffers bill for transportation through
the mails of agricultural and Towering seeds
cuttings, bulbs roots, scions, &c. at the rate Of
two cents for every four ounces of weight, and
not 10 exceed four pound packages, passed.
The bill to remove the political disabilities of
j. e. Meiere of Maryland passed.
Mr.. Morgan of Ohio moved TO suspend the
rules and pass the bill proposing to amend the
constitution so as to make naturalzed citizens
eligible 10 the presidency and vice presidency of
the United States.
Motion rejected; yeas 49, nays II less than
twOthirds in affirmative.
Mr. Cox moved to suspend the rules and
adopt the resolution, reciting that the state
government OF Louisiana is now administered
by orders from federal courts, supported bv
federal bayonets; such condition of things
being subseryient of civil government and dan
gerouS to liberty, and requesting the president
TO inform the house why the executive of the
United States interlered with the affairs of that
state, giving all the facts; also to give all in
formation on that subject relative TO the con-
duct of E. Fl. Durell, United States Judge there:
so that the house may determine what steps, if
any, ought to be taken in consequence of such
interference in the political affairs of louisiana
amble.
Mr.. Cox consented, and inserted the words
"Il not Incompatible with public interests"
Mr.. Eldridge asked Mr., Cox not to insert those
words. There could be no such thing as iucom-
patibilty, with public interests in matter OF
that kind. Congress was entitled to know by
what authority the president interlered in the
civil government of state.
Mr.. Cox said he had inserted those words so
as to have the resolution adopted without any
partizan or acrimonious discussion. He only
wanted the facts to come out, and all the rea-
sons for the presidents action i'll that most i'm
porant matter
Mr.. Sypher denied that the president had in
terered in any way in the Louisiana ma tter,ex-
cept to order the execution of the mandates of
the United States court.
Mr.. Cox declined to take the statement of Mr..
Sypher or of the newspapers in the matter
Mr.. Sypher-I will furnish the proof of it,
Mr.. CoX-Ihe gentleman cannot speak for the
president.
Mr.. Bingham suggested 10 Mr.. Cox to strike
out the allusion 10 Judge Durell, as the inlor-
would necessarily cover the point
Mr.. Cox said he did not intend TO amend the
resolution any further.
Mr.. Scofed asked Mr.. Cox to omit the clos.
ing words of the resolution, $50 that the house
may Judge &c." which he Thought implied that
the house would do something perhaps offensive
Mr.. Cox declined.
Many republican members-Let US vote it
down.
The resolution was rejected, yeas 70, nays 90
IA party vote.
MIR. Stevenson then offered resolution. which
was adopted without division, requesting the
president to communicate information relative
TO the condition of affairs in louisiana and
what action, if any, he has taken with regard
thereto.
Bills to enforce the stipulation of the conven-
ton with Venezuela Of the 25th of April 1864
and to amend the law of the 18th of August
1856, regarding consular and diplomatic service
were reported from the committee on foreign
affairs; ordered 10 be printed and recommittcd
Mr. Smith Of New York offered a resolution
insiruct!ng the Judiciary committee to inquire
what legislation was necessary to guard against
the dangers threatening the liberties of the peo.
pie of Louisiana, Alabama and Arkansas, and
to guarantee republican form of government
ana to avoid the danger Of civil war in the
several states of the Union; adopted.
The house, at three O'clock went into com.
mittee of the whole, Mr.. Scoield in the chair
on the deficiency bill The bill appropriates ST.
699SS2 comprising the following items postal
cards for the quarter $4,000; locks for pouches
TO con ain registered letters, $4,000; survey YES
sells, $l5OOOO; continuing coast survey, $50 900;
census expenses, $4,000; for captors OF the
rebel ram Albemarle, SOP ,912 for photo.litho.
graphing copies OF patents, 10000; improving
government property in District OF Columbia,
1924 800.
Mr. Garfield explained the items in detail, re.
plying 10 questions of w. X. Roberts relative TO
the Albemarle matter, and giving full explana-
tion OF the item for improvements of govern.
ment property in the District OF Columbia.
Alter long discussion on the latter subject,
the committee rose without action, and at 40
the house adjourned.