Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-07
FORTYTHIRD CONGRESS,
WEDNESDAY, January

ment TO the constitution of the United States
Referred to Committee on Judiciary.
Mr.. Sargent presented a memorial of the
Callfornia Female Suffrage Association, asking
the adoption OF a constitutional amendment
prohibiting any distinction in the right 20 vote
and hold ONCE on account OF sex: also that no
state shall hereafter he admitted which in it,
organic law makes such dist notion, and that in
the District of Columbia and the Territories We
men have the same righ's under the law a.
Elections.
Mr.. Bogy, in presenting a memorial
ON THE SUBJECT OF THE BANKRUPT LAW
expressed the opinion that the fullest opportu.
nltv should be afforded 10 obtain the views OF
all interested in the matter, 80 that the present
Mr.. COnkling said that in the absence of the
chairman of the committee MT. Edmunds) he
could say that such was the purpose.
Mr.. Thurman said the Judiciary Committee
had the matter still under consideration, aud
would most probably report further amend
ments.
Mr.. Morton gave notice that so soon as the
resolution on the finances was disposed OF he
would move 10 proceed with the Louisiana case
or, If there was no immediate desire for action
on that resolution, he would ask the Senate 20
take up the Louisiana Senatorial case so soon
as the salary bill was disposed of.
Mr.. Stevenson said that when the Louisiana
resolution came up he should move that be
recommitted, with instructions TO the commit
tee TO inquire into the validity OF the legisla-
ture.
Mr.. Merriman introduced several pension
bills, which we're referred to the Committee on
Pensions.
THE SALARY BILL
was then taken up.
Mr.. Ferry Comm said in no constitutional
sense was il true that the peoples will was the
law and that Congress was the servant OF the
people, and he was sick ofsuch talk. When the
day came that this was true, then we Will have
the September days of the revolution in France
Congress was tho maker of the laws. Senators
had got up here and IBtimated that they had
been defrauding the people in drawing the in
creased compensation since last March. He
cd a,tN ,.N,o- a.ors1
IT, that day he would resign and 90 home. He
intended to vote against this bill, and al tue
amendments TO il.
Mr.. Merriman held that there could be no
doubt that according to law every member OF
Congress had the right 20 the compensation
which he had drawn since the 18th of last March
This amendment Mr.. Pratt'sJ was a plain yio-
lation Of the spirit, If not the letter. of the con
stltutiOn. IL attempts to DO indirectly and by
clrcumventicn what could not be done directly
In regard 10 the salary of members OF Congress
he did not think that - 800 was too much; yer
he would vote for reduction Of the amount be-
cause the popular voice demanded IL. H
agreed entirely with the Senator from Connec-
ucut Mr.. Ferry that Congress was the law
making power, but he thought that something
was due to the popular sentiment, which seemed
so unanimous on this question,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
motion of Mr.. Swami, the memorial OF Thomas
and William Winans, praying for an extension
OF their patent Tor their " cigar steamship and
the papers accompanying the same were taken
from the files OF the House and re- referred 10
the Committee on Patents.
Mr.. Mellsh N. Y introduced a bill TO regu-
late the money Of the United States and TO IN
the value thereof Referred TO Committee on
Banking and Currency.
Mr.. kass0n (IOwa) introduced bill TO estah
lish certain regulations as to Away cOmmuni-
cation between the United 81 ties and foreign
governments. Referred to Committee on Rail
WAYS and Canals.
On motion Of MIR. Loughridge Iowa. the Sec
rotary of the Interior was directed to furnish
the House with an account of the amount OF
moneys expended and expenses incurred for
Indian affairs for the fiscal years 1872 and 1873
Mr.. Plat (Val offered a resolu ton authori-
zing the architect of the Capitol to employ a
man to keep the approaches to the House o.
Representatives in order.
Mr.. Willard (Nt.l objected.
Mr.. Parker (Mo.l reported from the Commit
tee on Appropriations bill aPpropriating
$50 600 for the legislative expenses Of Colorado
territory. Passed.
Mr.. Page (Cal) introduced bill for the bepesr
of widows of deceased presumption claimants
Referred.
on motion of MI. Beck (Ky.) the President of
the United States was requested to report "A
statement of expenditures and contracts under
the Indian service since July 1871, and whether
contracts were made without consultation with
the Indian Commissioners.
Mr.. Hunter (Ind.) offered a resolution rec-
ting that in consequence OF the statement
made by the committee of Ways and Means
that it would probably be necessary TO put
a tax upon tea and coffee, the prices of these
articles had been largely increased, and declar-
ing il to be the sense of this House that these
articles should not be taxed, unless some cir
cumstances not now known to the country
should arise. Referred to Committee of Ways
and Means.
President was requested TO send to the House
all correspondence between the departments
and the Modoc Indians, and all orders and cor
respondeDce in relation to the removal Of the
Modocs from Oregon aud California.
On motion of Mr.. Wheeler, IN. VI the Sec
ond Auditor OF the Treasury was directed to
W1soof IN ha -k,ae
regular or additional paymasters remain unset.
tied, together with the amounts due, aud what
has been done toward their colsction.
Mr.. Crutchfeld TENN asked leave to offer
an amendment to the civil rights bill imposing
a fine of 81 900 upon any white man who should
make an offer Of marriage to a colored woman,
or upon any colored woman who should accept
such offer. Laughter
Mr.. Butler Mass. objected.
Mr.. Hurlburt Il) offered resolution direct
ing the Committee on Education and Labor to
inquire into the condition of the agricultural
colleges which have received endowment from
the United States. Referred to Committee on
The House then resumed consideration of
THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL.
Mr.. Butler (Mass.l said he recognized the
Importance OF the bill now before the House for
no graver subject could occupy the attention OF
any legislative body, but he did not desire that
anything should be done except after the most
careful consideration, so that the bill shall COM
mend itself to all mankind. He would there
fore, after saying what he had TO say, move 10
recOulmlI the Dill, IN Oruer tldt time might not
be wasted in voting upon all the pending
amendments, and in order that the amend
ments may have good and due consideration in
the committee.
Mr.. Wood IN. " said to recommit the bill IN
tho same form in which il was originally report
ed seemed to him to be trlfing with the House
and the country, after allowing a two days
fruitless debate on the question. He thought
Mr.. Butler owed an apology to the House, il,
after this fruitless debate, he had the bill re-
committed.
Mr.. Butler said he might owe an apology to
the House and the country for his motion TO re-
commit, but he certainly should not apologize
to the gentleman from New York. Ii the debate
was fruitless IL was due to Mr.. Woods political
associates, who occupied most of the time, and
the gentleman did not pay a very high COM
pliment to his associates. He and Mr.
Stephens of Georgia must settle the
question of fruitlessness between them.
His apology to the House was, that by recon-
hitting he would save numerous roll-calls on
amendments, for when the bill was again re-
ported he would call for q vote without allowing
further debate He would MT 60 now into the
legal question, for that was exhausted yester-
day by Mr.. Elliott, with q grasp of mind
which showed that he was the peer OF
any man upon this floor. As to the matter
of social equality, IL gentlemen did NOT