Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-02-04
House PrOceedings-The Presi-
dent to Communicate with
Foreign Governments on
Various Matters.
Three Commissioners Appointed
to Look into All Railroads
that Have Received Gov
ernment Aid.
The Goat Island Bill SettIed---A
Lobbyist Detected Plying His
Vocation on the Floor.

A large number of bills were intro
duced and referred, including the follow
ing:
A bill for day of National Thanks
giving.
By Mr.. Banks: A bill recommending
the President to communicate with for
eign governments with a view to pro-
tecting non-eombatants; to secure COM
pliance with civilized warfare; to en-
courage emancipation; to promote peace
between Cuba and Spain, and asking
for bill to relieve the people from op-
pressive railroad freight charges, and al
so to favor liberal appropriations for the
Improvement of the navigation of the
Mississippi, Wisconsin and Fox rivers.
By Mr.. Willard: A resolution author
izing the President to invite the Inter
national Statistical Congress to hold its
next session in this country.
ByMr. Twitchell: A resolution grant
ing the right of way through public
lands to the Kansas and Colorado Kali
road Company, also to the AtchisOn,
Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Com
,pany.
By Mr.. Merrick: A resolution direct
ing that negotiations be opened with
the Government of Chill for an ADJUST
mentof the claims of American citizens.
By Mr.. Porter, by request: Aresolutlon
to refund the special income tax OF t1Ve
per cent. paid by the officers and soldiers
of the United States army and navy.
BY MIR. Rogers: To abolish the tax on
spirits distilled from fruit.
By Mr.. Young: For the removal OF
disabilities from all citizens OF the
United States.
The call of the States being concluded
Mr.. w. r. Roberts offered a resolution
declaring it to be the opinion OF the
House that it is not wise, nor expedi-
ent, nor for the public interest, that any
part of Goat Island, San Francesca
shall be ceded for railroad purposes.
Mr.. Sargent moved to lay the resolu'
ton on the table, which was negatived-
yeas a, nays, 102.
While the question on the adoption OF
the resolution was pending, MIR. Sar-
gent rose to a question of order, which
was, that lobbyists were on the floor
abusing the privileges of the House.
| The Speaker said the point of order
was well taken if the gentleman would
name the persons he referred to.
Mr.. Sargent named d. Q. MeRuer, o.
California.
The Speaker remarked that the gen.
tleman named was an ex-Member O
Congress, and had a right to the floor
Mr.. Certainly, but under 9
pledge that he will not abuse the privi-
! feoes of the floor in lobbying for Ol
against any pending measure OF leglsIa-
ton.
The Speaker said he could not assume
that an ex-member of Congress was act
ing illegitimately.
Mr.. Banks suggested that the question
would have to be examined, before an
ex-Member of Congress was condemned
and deprived Of the rights extended tC
him under the rule.
Mr.. Sargent-That is simply my prop
osition.
Mr.. Banks objected to it as question
of order.
The Speaker, referring to the rule anC
the proposed notifications of it, said the
decision of the House at the last session
was that the rule applied only to mem.
bers interested in private claims, and die
not extend to matters of general legisla-
ton. The rule did not therefore atfecl
this case.
Mr.. Sargent then made a point thai
| Mr.. McRuer had not registered hi:
nsne in accordance with the rule.
The Speaker ruled that that objection
was not point of order.
| Mr.. Sargent remarked that member
were embarrassed by persons coming OF
the floor to lobby for schemes.
The resolution was then adopted With
out division.
Mr.. Stevenson introduced bill for
| board of three commissioners to inquire
| into and report at the next regular ses
sion of Congress the condition of all rail
roads that have received aid from tn,
Government in land and bonds, Will
power to send for persons and papers.
Referred to the select Committee OF
| the Union Pacific Railway and Credl
| MobiIier.
Mr.. Dawes, Chairman of the Commit
tee of Ways and Means, reported bacl
adversely on sundry bills for refundine
the cotton tax, and asked to have SOM
time fixed Cor their consideration.
Mr.. Hale objected.
Mr.. Dawes moved to suspend tn
rules, and to make an order assigning
| Friday next for the consideration of the
subject. 1t was negatived; yeas III
nays 6S-less than two-thirds in the at
firmative.