The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-12-18
CONGRESS-.
SENATE.

tue rear OF tho Senate Chamber, at 1l:3(
Tomorrow morning, where the Senators
would be presented 10 him. Mr.. Gamer
on then submitted the order that the Sen.
ate meet at the usual hour, and at 1916
take q recess, that the Senate might pro.
coed In o body TO the hall Of the House
and Join In the ceremony OF receiving His
Majesty. Agreed to.
The Senate then resumed consideration
OF tho bill to revise, amend and consoli-
date tho law relating to the security oi
lie on board vessels propelled in whole OF
part by steam, and the reading thereof
was continued.
After tho bill had bGon read trough
Mr. Boutwell, moved ihatiL be laid over
till Tuesday next.
Mr. Morrill,, OF Vt, submitted resolu.
tion granting to the Women's Centennial
Executive Committee Of Washington the
Rotunda OF the capitol this afternoon and
evening, for celebration TO raise funds In
aid OF the National Centennial Exhibition
Agreed TO.
MIR. Frelinghuysen, from the Committee
on Agriculture, reported back the bill TO
enable the Commissioner Of Agriculture
to make special distribution of seeds
with an amendment that $4,000 instead
Of $4,000 be appropriated Tor that pur-
pose. The amendment was agreed to and
the bill passed.
The Senate Committee on Post Offices
and Post Roads appointed sub commit
tee 10 visit that Department Saturday
and inquire into the CGusca of the large
increase in deficiencies.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The Senate then resumed the consider
alton Of the bill 10 provide for the better
government Of the District OF Columbia.
Mr. Morton said there was feature OF
this bill to which he was entirely op-
posed. There was no doubt that the
bill had been worked up carefully by
those who had charge Of it, but it pro.
vided for disiranchising the people OF the
District, 10000 or 10000 persons. 1t
took from them the power Of selt.govern.
ment, and put the government OF the
District in the hands Of three men. In
that respect the bill was anti. Republican
and Hnti.Democratic, and he did not feel
that he could vote for it without violating
the spirit OF the Constitution. He did
not believe that the troubles of this Dis
trict grew out Of the right Of suffrage
He believed the right Of local selfgov-
ernment here was just as important as
1t was in New York or any State, and he
did not think the Constitution OF the
United States suatained the argument Of
his friend hr, Morrill,, that Congress had
entire and exclusive control over the af-
fairs Of the District, and could abolish
the right OF suffrage here. He (Morton)
knew what would be said about abolish
ing tho right, 1t would be said that 1t
was intended TO get clear Of colored sui.
lrsge. lie knew that there were people
in this District who were willing to be
disiranchised to get clear Of the Colored
vote. From the beginning this city had
a local government. Congress had the
same control over the Territories as over
the District, and it would not be argued
that Congress had the power 10 deprive
the people Of the Territories Of the right
of suffrage. Il Congress had power TO
depute the government OF this District to
three men, as this bill provides, it had the
power TO depute the government 10 the
whole Of the people Of the District. At
the proper time he proposed to offer an
amendment 10 provide for the election Of
three commissioners by the people OF the
District, instead of their appointment by
the President.
Mr.. Morrill,, Of Maine, said that this bill
violates no principal Of local govern.
ment. 1t never was intended that local
government should exist here.
Mr.. Anthony said that the power
OF Congress over the District was
Supreme. The right OF local
self government existed. II was
not expedent TO have suffrage in this Dis.
trict, and any Senator conversant with
the various classes Of authority herein for
years past, must agree with him. He had
not the slightest doubt that Congress had
exclusive control over the District, and
could confer or withhold suffrage as it
thought proper. Negro suffrage had been
very sckening business 10 the people
OF this District. He then spoke Of q
clause in reference TO the Excise Board,
and said that that section was intended
to invade the domain Of morals under the
form OF legislation. Vice and immortality
generally followed the track OF these
prohibitory laws. The power given to
this excise board was unlimited in regard
to prescribing resolutions under which
liquor licenses could be issued. Hespoke
OF the unhappy results which occurred In
the State Of Michigan from attempts to
regulate the liquor traffic. he moved to
strike ont that portion OF the bill which
required every person taking out a liquor
license to give bond for faithfully observ.
ing the conditions thereof and for the pay.
ment OF such o portion Of the license fee
as shall not DO paid IN advance, and TO In.
sert in place thereof provision requiring
the fees Tor license TO be paid into the
Treasury oil the United States in advance.
Rejected.
Mr, MortonNmovcd to strike out the
clause requiring the Board Of Commits
sioners to be appointed by tho President,
by and with the advice and consent OF
the Senate, and insert in lieu thereof a
clause requiring said Commissioners TO be
elected by the qualified voters oI the Dis
trict.
Pending the discussion, Mr., Edmunds,
from the Judiciary Committee, reported
favorably on the bill to enable the Su-
preme Court OF the District Of Columbia
10 proceed with its jury business, Passed.
MIR .Bayard opposed the amendment OF
MIR. Morton to make the Commissioners
elective, and said the evils under which
this District had suffered were caused in
the main by the exercise Of suffrage by
those totally unfit for it. he hoped TO
see the day when the question Of suffrage
would be left where the trainers OF the
Constitution intended 1t 10 be, in the
hands OF those TO be affected by the right.
he would not bring the curse Of negro
suffrage upon the people of this District
again, Their interests were lar more Sc.
cure In the hands Of three honest, upright