The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-02-20


| only market for arms at that time. Austria,
| Russia, Denmark Sweden, England, Spain,
| Egypt, Turkey and South America were all
arming at the same time, and Remington him
| self sold to at least eight different Governments.
But it was charged that Americans made
| large profits out of these arms that went to
France What of that? 1t wished it had been
more because the French people would have
been no poorer for it. Recurring to the ques
ton of motives, it is said, one object of intro
ducing this resolution was, he felt authorized to
say, to furnish the French governments or its
agents with materials to be used against Ameri-
can merchants in the city of New York, and he
| did not believe the Senate ought to allow itself
to be used for that purpose. But the investiga-
ton must go on. This, said Mr. Conkling is
case of collapse. Let us investigate and let us
be quick lest the investigation change to post
norton examination. Uauguter.)
Mr.. Conkling next referred to his amendment
| offered Friday, inquiring if any Senator had
| been in collision with any French agents or spy
in relation to this matter, and read the statute
| OF the United States relative to the same. He
wanted to know if such was the case. IT, at this
critical moment. when the Alabama case is
| pending, when the San Juan dispute is referred
| to the German Emperor is the arbitrator, Sena-
| tors have become spy against the honor and
dignity of the government, the country wants
| to know it. Let the investigation go on. Let
it reach all these parties.
Mr.. COnkling continued to considerable
length both arraigning the motives and purpose
OF the Senators starting this cry and closed with
a demand for justice to all though the heavens
fall. At 41O the Senate adjourned without
vote.
HOUSE.
After the introduction of several bills which
were referred, the Speaker called on the States
for bills and resolutions for action. Maine be-
ing the first State called, Mr.. Frye, at the in
stance of MIR. Hooper of Massachusetts,, intro
duced bill supplementary to the civil right act
of April 1866 and moved the previous question
on it's passage.
Mr.. Brooks of New York, inquired whether
notice of the Bill had been given. The Speak
er after referring to the House Journal of
Thursday, said that notice had been given.
The bill prohibits any distinction between the
United States on account of race, color or pre-
vious condition of servitude, by inn-keepers,
common carriers, in theatres or other places of
amusement, in common schools or other public
institutions of learning supported by money
levied by taxation, cemeteries and benevolent
associations whether incorporated by national
or State authority
The second section provides forfeiture of
5000 for each offence, to be recovered by the
person aggreved en- an action on the case and
the penalty not less than $500 nor more than
$4,000 with imprisonment of not less than 80
days nor more than one year on conviction of
misdemeanor. The third section confers power
and imposes duties to execute the law on the
officers and courts of the United States, the
same as conferred by the Civil Rights Bill of
the 8th of April 1866. Any officer failing to in
stitute or prosecute proceedings when required
is to forfeit $500 to the person aggrieved, to be
recovered by an action on the case and on con-
viction be deemed guilty of misdemeanor and
| fined not less than 81, 900 nor more than $4,000.
| The fourth section forbds the exclusion of
any person from the jury of any national or
State Court on account of race, color or previous
condition of servitude The fifth section an
nuls discrimination in the national or State
laws by the use of the word "whte''
Mr. Dawes OF Massachusetts, suggested that
the bill be modified by using the word ''per-
sons instead of the word ''citizens'' of the
United States so as to include the Chinese Mr.
Sargent of California, objected. Mr.. Frye of
Maine, said he was not authorized to make the
modification Mr.. Eldridge of Wisconsin,
moved the bill be rejected-negatived. Yeas 50
nays 116.
The morning hour having expired the bill
went over till the morning hour Monday when
it comes up after the call of States for bills
for reference. As that rall can be prolonged so
as to consume the whole hour, by requiring the
reading of the bills introduced, this bill cannot
! possibly be reached if the opponents are incin-
| ed to prevent it. The only other way of getting
at it is a suspension of the rules, for which the
| Republicans have not the requisite two-thirds
majority. The resolution offered last Monday
| by Mr.. Shanks of Ind, authorizing the Presi-
dent to open negotiations will all civilized ma
tons in relation to captives in war, was taken
| up and passed.
Mr.. Hale of Maine moved to suspend the
rules and adopt resolution instructing the
| Ways and Means Committee whenever they
should report bill changing the import duties
to provide also for putting salt and coal on the
| free list.
Mr.. Dawes asked that the resolution should
simply be referred to the Ways and Means Com
mittee. He regarded it as an unusual mode of
interfering with the business of that Commit
tee.
Mr.. Hale disclaimed any intention of casting
discourtesy on the Ways and Means Commit
tee.
Mr.. Eldridge of Wisconsin, objected to de-
| bate.
Mr.. Dawes appealed to the House to- let mat
tiers which belong to the the ways and Means
go to that Committee
MIR. Killinger of pennsylvania moved that the
| House adjourn.
Mr.. Dawes hoped the House would settle, by
square vote the question whether the bust
ness of the Ways and Means Committee should
be done by that Committee or transacted by
the House.
The motion to adjourn was rejected. A mo-
ton to suspend rules and adopt the resolution
was rejected, 1O3 to S6-less than two-thirds.
| The House proceeded to the consideration of
the bill repeating the duties on tea and coffee
and pass the same.
Mr.. Dawes of Massachusetts moved the mod
lhcation OF the motion so as 10 let the bill come
before the House for discussion.
Messrs. Bingham and Scofield objected.
The rules were suspended and the bill passed,
153 to 3S.
tition for the payment of the French spoiliation
claim, saying that it was signed by one-third of
the original owners their legal representa-
tives. Referred to Foreign Committee.
Mr. Poland of Vermont presented the report
OF the joint committee on Southern outrages
| and would move the printing of &C, 900 copies of
the report and 5000 of the testimony. -
Mr. Beck of Kentucky submitted the report
OF the minority and asked that it be printed
with that of majority
| Mr. Poland objected to the sentence in the
minority report rejecting ON the majority and
stated that the minority had not had an oppor-
tunity OF seeing the majority report. That the
statement was substantially untrue.
Mr. Beck disclaimed any intention to reflect
on majority. The sentence was intended as an
apology for not having met the arguments in
| that report.
Mr.. Scofield of Ohio, memberof the major
1ty, called attention to the statement that the
majority report was the grossest outrage and
foulest calumny.
Mr.. Beck called him to order and said that
the language had been struck out and the
member knew it.
Mr. Scofeld said if the report had been alter
| ed it was more than he knew.
Mr. Beck said it had and what Mr. Scofield
was reading was not in the report
Mr. Schoield then desired to know whether
the minority had amended the next clause
stating that he feared no facts having any eff
| feet on the partizan mojority in Congress who
have already shown, by the passage of the Ku-
hluX Dill against the VIII and Judgment of the
people, that they have not disoheyed the orders
OF their imperious, not to say, imperial Presi-
dent.
Mr. Bingham of Ohio, made the point of Or
der that it was not competent to make q report
rejecting on the legislation of Congress and the
action of the executive. 'H
The Speaker decided that the minority report
could only come in by unanimous consent or
suspension of rules. The language quoted was
highly disrespectful to the House. and such if
used by member on the floor he would call
him to order.
Mr.. Bingham objected to accepting the re-
port.
The Speaker quoted the words alluded to by
MIR. Scotield, that the Ku Klux bill and pro-
ceedlngs there under, were the grossest outrage
and toulest columny, and said he would have
| called the gentleman from Kentucky to order
for such language ON the floor.
tdessrs. Beck and Fox defended the minority
report as it intended to refer only to matters
outside the action of the House.
A confused discussion ensued, ending in Mr.
Bingham insisting on his objection.
Messrs. Poland and Stevenson appealed to
| him to withdraw it.
Mr.. Cox of New York moved to suspend the
rules and receive the minority report
Mr.. Banks of Massachusetts suggested it be
on the condition of having all the matter ex-
cluded that was in violation of parliamentary
rules.
The Speaker declined the task of examining
the report with that object
Mr.. Cox of New York did not accent Mr..
Banks suggestion, but urged his motion to sus-