The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-08
CONGRESSIONAL.
Yesterdays Proceedings.

Yesterdays Proceedings.
WEDNESDAY, January Z.
jSenate.-Mr. Sumner presented memo.
rial 953 feet in length, signed by 35, lis
persons, praying against the proposed thee,
logical amendment to the constitution o.
the United States. Referred.
Mr.. Sargent presented memorial Of the
California female suffrage association, ask.
ing the adoption of constitutional amend.
nent prohibiting any distinction in the right
to vote and hold office on account of sex
also, that no state shall hereafter be adj
mitted which in its organic law makes such
distinction, and that in the District Of CO.
lumbia and the territories women have the
same rights under the law as men. Re.
ferred to committee on privileges and cleo
tons.
Mr.. Bogy, in presenting a memorial
ON THE SUBJECT OF THE BANKRUPT
LAW,
expressed the opinion that the fullest op.
portunity should be afforded to obtain the
views of all interested in the matter, so
that the present bill could be perfected.
Mr.. Conkling said that in the absence of
the chairman of the committee (NIr. Ed
inunds) he could say that such was the
purpose. 94
Mr.. Thurman said that the judiciary
committee had the matter still under con-
sideration, and would most probably re-
port further amendments.
Mr.. Morton gave notice that SO soon as
the resolution on the finances was disposed
ofhe would move to proceed with the Lou
isiana case; or, if there was no immediate
desire for action on that resolution, he would
ask the Senate to take up the Louisiana
senatorial case so soon as the salary bill
was disposed Of.
Mr.. Stevenson said that when the. I4oui-
siana resolution came up he should move
that it be recommlted, with instructions
to the committee to inquire into the valid
lily of the legislature. r.,
THE SALARY BILL v
was then taken up.
Mr.. Ferry Comm said in no constitr-
tional sense was 1T true that the peoples
will was the law and that Congress was the
servant of the people, and he was sick of
such talk. When the day came that this
was true, then we will have the September
days of the revolution in France. Congress
was the maker of the laws. Senators had
got up here and intimated that they had
been defrauding the people in drawing the
increased compensation since last March.
He disowned any such idea, and when he
believed it, that day he would resign and
go home. He intended to vote against this
bill, and all the amendments to it.
Mr.. Merriman held that there could be
no doubt that according to the law every
member Of Congress had the right to the
compensation which he had drawn since
the Nth IF lacf March TIKI 4
(Nlr. Prat}s) was plain violation of the
spirit, if not the letter, Of the constitution.
II attempts to do indirectly and by circum-
yentlon what could not be done directly
In regard to the salary of members
OF Congress, he did Iot think that
$1,000 was too much; yet he would vote
Tor reduction OF the amount because the
popular voice demanded it. He agreed en-.
tirely with the Senator from Connecticut
(Mr. Ferry that Congress was the law maxi
ing power, but he thought that something
was due to the popular sentiment, which
seemed SO unanimous on this question.
In executive session the Senate con-
iirmed the nomination Of Caleb Gushing, of
Virginia, to be envoy extraordinary and
minister plenipotentiary to Spain, vice
Daniel Il. Sickles.
Hoase.-Mr. Mellish IN. " introduced
o bill to regulate the money of the United
States and to fix the value thereof. Re-
ftrred.
Mr.. Platt (Va.) offered a resolution au-
thorizing the architect Of the Capitol to |
employ man to keep the approaches to
the House of Representatives in order.
Mr.. Hunter Qnd) offered resolution
feciting that in consequence of the state
ment made by the committee of ways and |
means, thatit would probably be necessary
TO put tax upon tea and coffee, the prices
oil these articles had been largely increased,
and declaring it to be the sense of this
House that these articles should not be
taxed, unless some circumstances not now
Known to the country should arise. Re-
ierred to the committee of ways and
means.
Mr.. Crutchfeld (Tenn.) asked leave to
oller an amendment to the civil rights bill
imposing fine Of 81 900 upon any white
man who Should make an offer of mar
rage to colored woman, or upon a col
ored woman who should accept such Offer
| LaughterI
Mr.. Butler (Mass.) objected
Mr.. linrlbart (Ill.) offered a resolution
directing the committee on education and
labor to inquire into the condition of the
agricultural colleges which have received
endowment from the United States. Re-
ierred.
Inc House then resumed consideration Of
THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL. {
Mr.. Butler fMass.l said he recognized the I
Importance ofthe billnow before he Honsa
or no grayer subject could occupy The n
attention of any legislative body, but he
I'D not desire that anything should be done
Except after the most careful consideration. s
70 that the bill shall commend itself to ali I
mankind. He would therefore, after saw t
ng what he had to say, move to recommit
he bill, in order that time might not be
wasted IN voting upon all the pending
amendments, and ia order that the amend,