Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-20
BY TELEGRAPH
TO THE
Daily Kennebec Journal.
Forty.second Congress Second Session
WASHINGTON, 10.

SENATE.
The resolution to inquire into the sale Of
arms to agents of France was taken up and
Mr.. Conkling addressed the Senate.
Mr.. Morrill, of VT, from the committee on
public buildings, reported without amend
ment his bills providing for the construction
Of public buildings at Albany, Hartford and
Indianapolis, and for the purchase Of site
for public buildings at Cincinnati.
- Mr.. Anthony, from the committee on naval
affairs, reported without amendment the bill
introduced by Mr.. Morrill, of Me-, for the re-
lief of the officers and crew Of the United
States steamer kearsarge.
Mr.. Scott, from the joint select committee
on alleged outrages in the Southern States,
reported bill continuing in force the pro-
visions of the 4th section Of the enforcement
act Of April 90, 1871, until the end of the
next regular session of Congress.
Bills introduced and REFEREED Directing
the Postmaster General to provide immedi-
ately by contract or otherwise for the trans
portation of the California mails around the
blockaded portion Of the Pacific Railroad !;
for the protection of the seal fisheries of
Alaska; to charter the Puget Sound, Leaven-
worth and Norfolk Trans Continental Air
Line Railroad and Telegraph Co.
The Senate resumed the consideration OF
the resolution of inquiry as to the alleged
sale of arms to French agents.
Mr.. Conkling spoke of the waste of time in
political debate of which he charged Mr.
Sumner whom he accused of slandeting his
government and country, and placing them
in a false position before the nation. The
statement in Mr.. Summers preamble that the
report of the Secretary of the Treasury for
1870 and 1871 acknowledged the receipt Of
o,1,, &1~a IL g.
stores was false, as the Senator might have
easily ascertained by inquiry. An associat-
ed press despatch has been cited as authority
for contradicting the report of the Secretary
of War on the subject. The report did not
contradict the report 1t did not state that
sales were not included in the Secretary s
subsequent report, but merely stated that bids
were opened.
Mr.. Conkling continued. The Senator
from Missouri (Schurz) had alluded to q
military ring which e.erts a far-reaching
corrupt and dangerous influence upon the ad.
ministration and the people. He (Conklng)
must regard that talk as part of the slang and
scandal that defles and brutalises our poll.
tics; but the impression that does prevail is
that senatorial ring or cabal does exist,
whose business is to furnish ammunition, not
to the French, but to the democratic party,
and that men flying the republican flag were
trying to strand the republican ship. 1t is
believed that the business Of this cabalis
malign the President of the United States, to
disparage and beittle him, to assail his add
ministration, and to watch for opportunities,
or in the language Of the good book, to link
privily 70. an opportunity to place him in
injurious and unjust position. 1t Is believed
that the business of this cabal is to assail and
to disparage the minority in this body and in
Congress, and to injure those charged with
administration of public affairs. 1t is be-
lieved that this cabal aids to inspire tina.
snow storm of libels and Misrepresentation
which travel on wires from the capital and
are published nv countless newspapers. 1t is
believed that persons connected with this
cabal are intlicting wounds upon the republi-
can party which no democrat has power to
inflict. This impression wakes pace. 1t is
strong, very strong just now in the State Of
New Hampshire. There is reason for it in
New Hampshire. An election depends there
and the politicians tell US that whether the
administration shall stand or fall is of no i'm
portance, as it shall cast light or shadow up.
on the coming Presidents nomination or
election. In the midst of this canvass in New
Hampshire the speeches of this senatorial
cabal command their attention which could
not be gained by all the utterances OF the
democratic sages from Jefferson to my hon.
orable friend from Missouri (Blair).
Mr.. Conkling then discussed the sale of
arms at length, when the Senate went into
executive session and adjourned.
House.
After introducing several bills which were
referred, the Speaker called on the States
for bills and resolutions for action.
Maine being the first State called Mr.. Frye
at the instance of Mr.. Cooper of Mass, in
troduced bill supplementary to the civil
rights act of April 1866, and moved the previ-
Gus question on its passage.
Mr.. Brooks of New York inquired whether
notice of the bill had been given.
The Speaker after referring to the house
journal of Thursday last said that notice had
been given. The bill was then read
1t prohibits any distinction between the
United States on account of race, color or
previous condition Of servitude by inn keep
ers, common carriers, in theatres or other
places of amusement. in common schools or
other public institutions of learning. sup
ported by money derived from cemeteries
and benevolent associations, whether incor-
porated by national or State authority. Sec
ton two provides q forfeiture of $500 for
each offence to be recovered by the person
aggrieved in the action on case, and the pen
atty 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 sections Sd, 4th,
9TH, 7th and 10th of the civil rights bill of the
9th of April, 1866, which sections are made
part of this act Any officer failing to insti-
tute or prosecute proceedings when required
is to forfeit $500 to the person aggrieved, tc
be recovered by an action on the case, ant
on conviction be deemed guilty of misdemea
nor and fined not less than $1,000 nor more
than $4,000. The fourth section forbids The
exclusion of any person from the jury of any
national or State court on account of race
color or previous condition of servtude. The
fifth section annuls the discrimination in th'
national or State laws by the use of the wor,
"white.'
Mr.. Dawes suggested that the bill be mod
fled by using the wore ''persons" instead o
the words ''citizens of the United States" S,
as to include the Chinese.
Mr.. Sargent objected.
Mr.. Frye of Me-, said he was not author
lied to make the modification.
Mr.. Eldridge move that the bill be reject
ed