Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-20
FORTYTHIRD CONGRESS,
TUESDAY, January 20.

SENAIE.-Mr. Snerlna presented the Gre
dentials of \. &. Thurman, Senstor-elect from
Ohio. Laid on the table.
The Chair laid before the Senate a commuui-
cation from the President enclosing "A report
from the Secretary of the Interior relative to
the unauthorized occupation OF Indian lands hy
bodies of white men, in violation OF treaty stip-
ulations. Laid on the table.
number of petitions and memorials were
presented and referred to the several commit
tees. Among tfem where the following:
By Mr.. Sumner-Petitions from citizens at
several towns in Massachusetts for a commission
OF inquiry into the alcoholic iquor traffic.
By MIR. Chapdler-M Memorial from the Nation
al Board of Trade Tor a revision of the laws
governing the internal revenue system. r.
terred to Committee on Finance.
By Mr.. Fenton-Memorial OF the National
Board of Trade in relation to distinct routes
across the ocean, to prevent collisions at sea.
by Mr.. Sherman = Memorial OF the same body
in relation 10 an increase Of the currency ant
reduction of the fractional currency. Also.
petition OF citizens of Colorado and New Mex
leo relative to the Maxwell land grants and
asking the passage of law limiting the amount
Of land granted TO one party.
BY Mr.. 0glesby-The petition of $50 farmers
and workingmen In Illinois for the repeal OF
the national banking act, and the substitution
OF legal tender notes and convertible bonds for
national bank notes.
the National Board of Trade in relation TO the
deepening and improving the inland waters OF
the United States. He then addressed the Senate
upon the Importance of the government taking
hold of this subject as one demanded by ths
people, especially the producers OF the west, and
one that INST be met; competition between
railroads had been relied upon until relief from
that source had become helples, and reason
able rates OF transportation could not be ex-
pected without some other action. The redress
afforded by common law was impractcable,
for the expense of a suit TO secure ten cents
overcharge for fare, or three or hve dollars,
was SO appalling as not to be resorted to. lie
considered the people of the west no more than
reasonable in their demand; that the national
government shOuld look into this matter. He
believed that authority could be found in the
Constitution of the United States to meet any
measure of national Importance.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
McCrary tIOwa), from the Committee on Rail
ways and Canals, reported a bill TO regulate
commerce by railroads between the several
states. Ordered printed and recommitted.
Mr.. D0nnan (lOwa), from the Committee on
Printing, reported the Senate bill to print extra
copies OF the blue book now in course OF publ
cation. Passed.
Mr.. Wells (NIo.) introduced bill to extend the
provisions and limitations OF the act to limit
the liability of shIp-owners. Referred to tue
Committee on Commerce.
Mr.. Rush wis, from the Committee on
Pensions, reported back bill to equaiIze pea
| sions in certain cases. RecommItted
A NEW RULE.
Mr.. Maynard Tenn }, from the Committee on
| Rules, renorted the following as an addition al
rule, viZ:-'All motions to suspend the rules,
except to go into committee OF the whole, shall !,
before being submitted to the House, be second
| ed by majority, as in the case of the previous
question"
Mr.. Maynard SAID the resolution had been
| debated the other day, and he did not suppose
| any more discussion was necessary, and he
| would therefore test the sense of the HOu at
once.
Mr.. Ford, MIR. Holman and others objected to
this course, and threatened to resort TO dilatory
motiens if discussion was not allowed; where
upon Mr. Maynard yielded his point.
Mr.. Holman protested against the passage of
| the rule, as it would destroy the rights of the
minority. The custom which this rule would
| repeal had stood for fifty years, and il was
good one, preventing an invasion OF the rights
of the minority.
Mr. Butler Mass comtended that the rule
was good one, as it would prevent any mem
Der from springing upon the House questions
upon which they would be compelled to vote
without due consideration. lie instanced a
case which had occurred yesterday wherein he
was compelled to vote against the bill OF Mr..
Young, of Georgia, to partially restore the
Thanking privile &c because the bill did not 90 far
enough The rule would De check upon faulty
legislation.
Mr.. Potter contended that the rule was IN
constitutional, As it deprived the minority OF
some OF their rights.
Mr.. Eldridge wis., objected to the new rule.
because it gave the majority the power 10 pu
themselves on the record on ali questions, and
deprived the minority Of that. In other words
the majority conld PROFOUND as many conun-
drums as they pleased to the minority.
Mr.. Dawes protested against the passage Ofthe
bill, because it was devised, as he thought, to
prevent the minority putting themselves on the
record. He judged this was the pur pose from
the remarks of his col league, Mr.. Butler.
Mr. Maynard demanded the previous ques
ton, but the House refused to second it by yeas
so to Days 90.
Mr.. Dawes said he regretted to be compelled
to differ from the committee on the question,
brt it was proposed to change a rule which had
had an existence since the foundation of the
government, and that too when the republican
party had majority of more than two-thirds.
He understood, from Mr.. Buffers remarks, that
he wanted the rule to prevent the majority
from being compelled to vote upon uncomfort
able or impolitic questions. Ii was shameful
that the great majority here should devise
means TO prevent the minority from putting
Themselves on record. 1t would give the ma
jority all power and deprive the minority of it.
he did not believe that this rule would prevent
mischlevous legislation, but would only pre-
record.
MT. Butler asked Mr. Dawes whether he did
not yesterday vote to adjourn at half past three
O'Clock, for The purpose of getting rid of flood
Of motions to suspend the rules.
Mr.. Dawes said he had done so, and he had
recorded his name to the country. Without i'm
tending TO be offensive to his colleague, he de-
sired to say he had not got rid of voting by
Mr.. Scofeld (Pa) said he believed that the
rule was devised for the advantage of the mi.
nority; but If the minority did not want it, he
would not insist upon forcing il upon them.
Voices from the democrats.-"We don't want
1t; we don't want ito
Mr.. Scofeld said he believed they would be
sorry for not accepting the rule before the ses-
sion was over, for the majority in the absence
OF this rule could compel them to vote without
debate. If the rule should be adopted the mi.
nority might defeat an obnoxious measure by
preventing the second for the previous ques-
ton.
Mr.. G. F. Hoar argued that it was the clear
right OF the majority of the House to prevent
the time from being taken up by q mere matter
Of one member TO suspend the rules, and tn US TO
bring the whole House to vote on mere alb
stract question.
Mr.. Hale (Maine) opposed the rule as perni-
cous.
POSTAL IsTRREsrs IN CoNGRRss.-The
House Committee on Post Ofices and Post