Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-05-23

Mr.. Sargent presented the majority
report, and Mr.. Blair [Michigan1 the
minority report, of the select committee
ON charges against the Secretary of the
Navy.
Mr.. Holman, from the Committee on
Commerce, reported back the Senate
amendments to the House bill, granting
to the Davenport and st. Paul railroad
the right of way over the Rock Island
bridge, which was cOncurred in.
The Speaker presented the House am
nesty bill of the thirteenth of May,
with the Endorsement of its passage by
the requisite two-thiFd vote. He edireeted
the bin to be read in full, because the
question was raised whether it required
the approval of the President.
Mr.. Bingham cOntended that it did
and a colloquy ensued between the
Speaker and the members.
The Speaker finally stated that he
was informed by the Clerk that all am
nesty bills heretofore passed were sent
to the President for his signature.
Randall inquired how the matter
would stand if the President should moi
sign the bill,
Speaker-That Is question for Con-
gress and not for the Chair. 1t is the
duty of the Chair follow the precedents
and practices of the House. 1t is a
purely ministerial duty on his part, and
does not involve any constitutional
question,
Randall have not the least obiee-
ton, if it viii crafty the Republican
party, that the President shall sign the
amnesty bill at this the eleventh hour.
Bingham-Especially after the Presi.
dent recommending amnesty in his
message.
Beck-I desire to submit a resolution
on that point.
The Speaker declined TO entertain it.
Beek-By what authority does the
Speaker send the bill to the President?
Speaker-Because all other like bills
have been sent to him. The Clerk informs
the Chair that the practice has been
usual and universal.
Beck-That may be so.
Speaker-Then why should the chair
assume to change the practice of the
House?
Mr., Beck-Why not let the House eX-
press its opinion on that point?
Speaker-If unanimous consent be
given, the Chair will submit the ques-
ton.
Mr.. Bingham-I object,
Speaker-Then the Cbalr cannot en-
teTtain it as a question of privilege.
Mr.. CoX-I rise to a parliamentary
question. / would like. If possible, tC
avoid complications on this matter,
Suppose the President should retain this
bill for ten days, until both Houses shall
have adjourned, what effect will it have
on the law?
Speaker-That is not parliamentary
point. 1t Is not for the Speaker of the
House to answer questions as to the
probable course of the President Of the
United States, Foq '.' ~ N-+
Mr.. Cox-I want to avoid trouble on
this matter. ii-'li q
The SpeakerlThere viii not be any
trouble. iail s9
Mr.. Cox-I want amnesty adopted.
Mr.. Randall moved that Mr.. Rogers
of North Carolina, a member-eleet
whose disabilities are removed by this
bill, be sworn in, q
The Speaker stated that that brought
up the same question in Q different
shape, and he declined to entertain the
motion. = l q
MIR. Dawes expressed regret tnaJ al
the anxiety for amnesty seemed to bt
changed into solieitude lest the Presi
dent should approve the bill. p
Mr.. Randal1lThere is no such issue Al
all. q
The Speaker repeated that the prece'
dents had been to send such bills to the
President, and he would therefore wal
to swear in Mr.. Rogers until the bill wa'
signed. He would give it as his opin
ion, however, that the House would moi
have to wait very long.