Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-03-21
FORTY-THIRD CONGRESS,
SATURDAY. March p, 1854.

IhE SENATE was not In session today.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
the reading Of the Josnsl-
Mr.. Randall lPa.) said that after the motion
TO adjourn had been put and votei upon he ha.,
raised question As TO the Speaker right 90 in
eiJect public business instead OF declaring the
n .sIt OF the vote upon the motion, which he
hsd knowledge had been carried.
Inc Speaker said he did not interiect public
business, but simply asked leave OF absence tor
memoeIs, which was and always had been con
concurrence of members II was ohyious - |,
the vote had been carried by the sound, but nv
the rules IL was not vote until 40 declared nv
tbe speaker. Ii had ALWAYS been the hahit Is.
the present occupant of the chair 10 asE lsa,ss
OF absence for members before tleclarinS me
vote on a. JouFnment, and always would bs m
.ess tne house directed otherwise. After he
had asked these leaves he then said the ave-.
appear TO have IL. The yeas and NAYS ne,
conld have been asked.
MIR. Randall said the Speaker proceeded Z,
take business from the Speakers table
The Speaker said he asked leave OF absence
FOR three members only.
Mr.. Randall said he wished TO know BY wha,
rule the Speaker could interject public bust
ness after motion to adjourn had been put.
The Speaker said the asking of leave OF alb
sence was not public business, and no other
business had been interjected.
Mr.. Randall said there Was where he wished
to coutr adict the Speaker.
The Speaker said: That makes Il a matter of
fact which can be settled by the journal.
Inc journal was referred 10, and II was found
that there was nothing done beyond the asking
o. leave OF absence for the three members
Mr.. Randall said he had understood that the
Speaker presented a number eft enrolled bills
Inc Speaker said the facts did not bear il
out, but 20 prevent any miSunders tanding here
after be would say that on a yea and nav vote
ne would consider IL his right and duty, IL the
bills were signed and laying on the desk, 10 re
port them before announcing the vote. Such
had been the custom from time immemorial
The House then proceeded TO consider the bill
providing for the construction of a bridge
across the Anacostia river, which WAS before
The House at adjournment Yesterday
Mr.. Hale N. Y said he was aware of the
feeling in the House against the District of Co
iumbia and the city of Washington, aud this
kDowledSe had led him TO protest 20 the Speaker
against the appointment 10 the position which
he now occupied as chairman of the District
Committee. He alluded to the manner in which
ne bill was defeated in Committee Of the
Whole; not on discussion OF its merits, but by
aeirect onslaught, by striking out the eaactiny
clause, thus cutting of discussion.
MesSrs. Randall Pa and Holman Ind an
tsgonized the bill, and claimed that there was
no more obligation on the part of the govern
ment TO build the bridge than to build . bridge
between two states.
Mr.. TTemain y " pointed out the fact
mat no power but the government had 4 II ght
TO build bridge there, and said that IL any
person was injured or a lie lost in crossing the
bridge the CJngr' s. OF the United Sta,es would
De IN equity responsible Tor Il. He spoke ia
glowing terms of the redemption of Washing
ton from the mud hole which il was during the
var, and ITS being made one OF the most beauti-
al cities In the world. He argued that il was
the duty OF the government TO build the bridge
and ear nestly appealed 10 the House 70 reyers
the action of the committee yesterday.
The action of the committee in striking on,
the enacting clause was concurred in by a YEA
and nay vote oY l2l TO 81.
The bill for the payment of the school teachers
IN The District of Columbia next came up. The
debate thereon will be found under head Of Dis
triet affairs in Congress.