The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-23
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WASHINGTON, May 81, 1872.
Mr. SARGENT, (rep.) of CAL, presented the ma
Jority report, and Mr. BLAIR, (rep.) OF Mich. tho
minority report OF the Select Committee on the
Charges against the Secretary of the Navy.
Mr.. RusK, (rep.) OF Wis.,, from the Committee on
Public Lands, reported bill In relation TO the Da-
kota Southern Railroad Company. Passed.
Mr. HOLMAN, (dem.) OF Ind, from the Committee
on Commerce, reported back the Senate amend
ments to the House bill granting to tho Davenport
ana st. Paul Railroad the right Of way over tho
Rock Island bridge. Concurred In.
THE AMNESTY BILL.
me SPEAKER presented the House Amnesty bill
OF the 18th OF May, with the endorsement OF ia
passage by the Senate by the requisite two-thirds
vote. lie directed the bill to be in full because
the question raised whether 1t required tho
approval of the President
Mr.. BINGHAM, (rep.) of Ohio, commended that IL
did, and cOlOquy ensued between tho Speaker
and members.
The SPEAKER finally stated that he was Informed
by the Clerk that oil the amnesty bills heretofore
passed were sent to the President for his signature
MIR. RANDALL (dem.) OF Pa, inquired how the
Sign the bill
The spEAKER-That is a question for Congress,
not for the Chair 1t is the duty of the Chair to fol-
low the presidents and practices OF the House. IL
purely ministerial duty his part and does not
involve any constitutional question.
Mr. RANDALL have not the least objection, If 1t
will crafty the republican party, that the President
shall sign an amnesty bill at this eleventh hour.
Mr. ENTHUSIASTICALLY alter the PreSlQentB
recommending amnesty in mis- message.
Mr. BECK, (dem) OF Ky.-I desire to submit a
resolution on that point.
The SPEAKER declined to entertain 1t.
Mr. BECKY what authority does the Speaker
send the bill to the Presidents
been sent to him. The Clerk informs the Chair that
the practice has been usual and universal.
Mr.. BECK-That may be so.
The SPEAKER-Then why should the Chair assume
to change the practice of the House2
Mr.. BEcK-Why not let the House express its opln-
The SrEAKER--lf unanimous consent be given the
Chair will submit the question.
Mr.. BINGHAM-I object.
The SPEAKER-Then the Chair cannot entertain 1t
as question or privilege.
Mr.. Cox, (dem.) of N. VI rise to a parliament
airy question. l would like, II possible, to avoid
complications on this matter suppose the Presl-
dent should retain this bill for ten days until both
Houses shall have adjourned, what effect would
The SPEAKER-That is not a 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.
Mr.. Cox-I want to avoid trouble on this matter.
The SPEAKER-There will not be any.
Mr. COx-I want amnesty adopted.
Mr., RANDALL moved that Mr.. Rogers, OF North
Carolina, member elect, whose disabilities
moved by this bill, be sworn in.
The SPEAKER stated that that brought up the
same question IN different shape, and he declined
to entertain the motion.
Mr. DAWES (rep.) of Mass, expressed regret that
oil the anxiety for amnesty seemed to be changed
THE PRESIDENT SHOULD APPROVE THE BILL.
Mr. RANDALL-Thcre IS no such issue at all.
The SPEAKER repeated that the precedents had
been to send such bills to the President, and he
would therefore walt to swear In Mr. Rogers until
the bin was signed. He would give 1t his
opinion, however, that the House would not have
to wait very long.
THE TREASURY ARCHITECT.
Mr.. GARFIELD (rep.) of Ohio, offered a resolution
quoting statements from Mr.. Farnsworth's speech
OF yesterday against MI Muett, Supervising Archi-
tect OF the Treasury, and ordering that the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury be informed of the charges
made, and requested to cause the same to be in
vestigated, and to take such action thereon the
result OF such investigation shall require.
After long discussion the resolution was
adopted with an amendment offered by Mr.. Farms
worth, directing the Secretary Of the Treasury to
report specific answers to the charges made In Mr..
FarnswOrth's remarks.
The House then, at halfpast twelve O'Clock, went
into Committee Of the Whole, Mr.. Wheeler (rep.) OF
N. T., in the chair, on the
SUNDRY CIVIL APPROPRIATION BILL.
Among the amendments adopted to the bill was
one offered by Mr.. TOWNSEND, (dem.) OF New York,
apprOpriating 81 500 for fog bells at Fort Hamilton
and Fort Columbus New York Harbor.
Having progressed as far as the fOrty-secOnd page
of the bill, which contains fity-three pages the
committee rose.
Mr.. WHEELER introduced bill granting twenty
five acres OF military reservation Mt Plattsburg
N " to the New York and Canada Railroad Com
pany Passed
The House then, at nalf-past four O'Clock, ad-
lOurned.