Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-06
Congressional PROCEEDINGS.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. ).
House.

WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. ).
| House.
| The following bills and resolutions were
introduced;
| BY Mr.. Buckner-For the gradual retire
ment of National currency and to reduce the
interest on the public debt.
| BY Mr.. Hubbell-To equalize bounties.
| BY Mr.. Kasson-Creating National board
OF trade and prescribing its duties.
BY Mr.. Cary-To prohibit the creation of
deficiencies in the public service.
Also in relation to the reduction of the
army.
BY Mr.. Luttrell-Requiriag the Attorney
General to prosecute suits for repayment to
The government of the interest paid for Paci
fic railroad companies.
| Mr.. Coburn offered a resolution instruct
ing the committee on Military Affairs to in
qure into the expediency of diminishing the
regular army, disseminating the work of con-
struction, preservation and repair of fortifi .
cations and all other works of defence, with
leave u send for persons and papers. Adopt
ed.
| Mr.. Dawes offered resolution directing
! the Surgeon General to detail medical off
GERS to visit the towns where the cholera pre-
vailed during 1878 and confer with the health
authorities and resident physicians as to all
facts of Importance in reference to such cpl
demic, and make detailed report by the LIST
| Of JAM, 1875. Adopted
Mr. Wheeler, from the committee on ap-
preparations, reported the army appropriation
BILL appropriating sos, 449,9lG, which was
made special order for Tuesday of next
week
The House then resumed the consideration
Of the supplementary civil rights bill.
Mr.. Frye of Me. said the bill commended
itself without any speech from him.
Mr.. Harris of Va. opposed the bill and
| contended that Congress had not the right to
interfere with the internal legislation of
States. He appealed to the House if negro
was equal to a white man. Whereupon Mr..
but Mr.. Harris would not yield the floor,
saying he was addressing whites and did not
intend to have negroes interfere.
"A. II. Stephens desired an hour ir which to
make a speech against the bill.
Mr. +. X, Uoar of Mass objected, unless
Mr.. Elliot (colered) of s. c. had the same
privilege.
Mr.. Stephens proceeded to read his speech
from the democratic side He said he did
not oppose the bill on account of any spreju
dice against color. The annunciation that all
men are created equal simply meant that all
men have equal right to justice and stand
that Congress, under tho Constitution, had
not the necessary power to pass this measure,
| as no new powers had been given to members
under the l4th aud 10Th amendments. The
proper remedy was in the courts, acting un-
der the law of Congress multiplying any State
law that violates the rights OF citizens. He
claimed also that it is inexpedient to pass
this bill now and the negroes themselves do
not desire it. He closed with lofty exodi-
um of Jeffersonian principles, which never
dies, but will live while ocean GIBBS and flows,
then, and not until then, will these principles
| cease to exist.
| Mr.. Rensier (colorsd) of S. C. replied with
a written speech, contendipg tina there was
no practical freedom in the Southern States
for negroes end never will be while left to
those states.
Mr.. Mills of Texas opposed the bill as un-
constitutional.
Mr.. Elliot of S. c. obtained the floor, but
yielded to motion to adjourn.
The message from the President relative to
the Vrhnius was read and referred to the
foreign committee.
Adjourned.