Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-12-14
FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
TUESDAY, December Ia.

on the Judiciary.
Mr.. Patterson presented memorial of
Charles ton Chamber OF Commerce asking an
appropriation for the improvement OF
Charleston harbor. Referred 10 Committee
on Commerce.
Mr.. COnkling presented a communication
from Thomas j. Durant, who was attached
to The commission for the cOdifcation OF the
laws, pointing out certain defects in the re-
vised statutes. Referred 10 Committee on
the Judiciary.
Messrs Conkling. Morrill,, CVt), Hamlin.
and others, presented petitions for the APP
pointment OF a commission TO inquire into
the alcoholic liquor traffic. Referred TO
Committee on Finance.
Mr.. EdmundS, from Committee on the
Judiciary, reported bill extending the time
for the duration of the Alabama claims com
mission. He explained that the dill merely
extended the time and touched no other
questions. The bill was passed.
Mr.. Allison introduced bill amending sec
ton 10 of the last Indian appropriation bill.
He sent to the desk to be read q letter from
the Secretary of the Interior department on
the subject. The bill was referred to the
Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mr.. Allison introduced bill to transfer the
Indian trust funds TO the Treasury of the
United States. Indian Affairs.
Mr. Davis introd uced bill making an ap
preparation for continuing the improve
meat OF the Great kanawha river, in West
Virginia. Referred To Committee on Com
merce.
Mr.. Anthony introduced bill for compile
ton of the naval monument. Referred To
Committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr.. MeTTimOn introduced bill granting
pensions to certain soldiers and sailors of the
Mexican war, and widows of deceased SOL
diers. Referred 10 Committee on Pensions.
Mr.. Cameron, from Committee on Foreign
Relations, reported bill 10 authorize George
Z. Marsh TO accept certain presents from the
governments of Italy and Switzerland.
Placed on the calendar.
On motion of Mr. Clayton, the Attorney
General was requested TO communicate 10
the Senate any information i'm his posses
sion relative to the treatment of United
States prisoners in state prisons.
The Chair laid before the Senate commu-
nication from the Secretary of War en-.
| closing report of Major COmstock, of the en-
| gineers, OF the progress made under the Eads
contract in the improvement of the south
west pass of the Mississippi river.
Mr.. CTagin introduced bill TO regulate the
| pay of certain officers IN the navy. Referred
10 Committee on Naval Affairs.
| The resolution of Mr.. Davis. calling for in
| formation as TO the names of government de-
| faulterS and the amounts involved for the
| last ten years, was taken up and referred TO
| the Committee on Finance by strict party
vote-ayes s., noes %.
THE LOUISIANA SENATORSHIP.
The motion submitted by Mr.. West, au
thoTizing the withdrawal from the files OF
| the Senate OF the credentials ofW. l.. McMil-
| Ian as Senator from Louisiana was taken
up
Mr.. Salisbury said be did not know that
he had any objection 10 this Withdrawal, but
| tie would like TO know the reason, as il
teemed rather novel proceeding.
Mr.. Thurman said il appeared to him as
| matter of no consequence whatever whether
the credentials we. Withdrawn or not. Mr..
McMillan's action and the acceptance of his
resignation by Governor McEnery puts him
entirely out of the question, but his action
had and could have 10 effect on the case of
| Mr.. Pinchb2ck.
Mr.. MerrimOn thought it just TO refer the
matter 10 the Committee On Privileges and
Elections.
Mr.. Morton did not care whether these
Credentials were withdrawn or not. They
were mere sham, as there never was any
such thing as a McEnery legislature or a
McEpery government. The credentials
amounted to nothing, whether laid upon the
table, under the table, or anywhere else.
Mr.. Stevenson agreed with Mr.. Morton
that it did not matter whether or not the
credentials were Withdrawn, But he dis
sented from the opinion OF that Senator
about the McEneYy government A repub,f-
cali committee of this body had declared the
kellogg government the greatest sham and
fraud that had ever disgraced free gov
eminent.
Mr.. Cameron (Wis.) introduced bill TO aid
the Winnebaso Indians of Wisconsin to OBJ
tain subsistence by agricultural pursuits
and TO aid in their civilization. Referred TO
Committee on Indian Affairs.
Mr.. Merrimon introduced bill to amend
the act granting pensions TO the soldiers and
sailors of the war of 1872 and their widows,
and to restore to the pension rolls the names
of those stricken therefrom for disloy atty.
Referred TO Committee on Pensions.
Mr.. Whyte was of the opinion, and that
without any reference to the merits of the
case, that Mr.. Mcmillan had no right to ask
the withdrawal of his credentials. They
were not his personal property, but were the
propertysof the state. He moved the refer
ence of the matter TO the Committee on
Privileges and Elections.
Mr.. Bayard said these credentials were a
part of the record of the case. He would ask
10 whom were these credentials TO be deliy-
cred. They came from the governor, or from
person claiming TO be the governor of
Louisiana. They do not belong to the indi-
vidual who is named therein as the Senator.
The papers belong to the archives of this
body, and no ore has the right to the per-
SOnal custody of them.
Mr.. Howe said undoubtedly these papers
were part OF the records of the Senate, and
If there was any private or public reason
why they should be retained, he would say
let them be kept. The claimant himself
wants to withdraw the papers. He has be.
come disguised with his claim and this is
they are Withdrawn, and the state OF Louis
lana will not suffer. He should vote TO let
Mr.. Mcmillan have this spurious paper for
which he asked. Mr.. Howe said further that
every Senator on this floor knew that Me-
Emery was not and never had been the gov
elnQT Of Louisiana.
Mr.: Bayard said he believed in his soul
that McEnery was the lawful choice OF the
people of Louisiana for governor, elected in
due form, and that he had been kept out of
his Office by the usurpation of the Federal
power directed by the President of the Uni
ted States. lSlight applause in the gal
leries.l
The motion of Mr.. Whyte 10 refer to the
Committee on Privileges and Elections was
lost, and the motion to allow the withdraw
al OF the credentials was then agreed TO by a
vote OF so to 2S, Mr.. Dawes voting with the
democrats in the negative.
After an executive session, the Senate adj
journed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
After the reading OF the journal
Mr.. Starkweather (Ct.) rose to correct an
error In the Record, in which ii was printed
"June 1" instead of January LIST" as the
time proposed for his postage bill to 60 into
effect; and he took this occasion TO give no.
tice that he would Offer the bill in the House
on the second call OF states, on the first Mon
day the House was In session.
The Speaker announced that the first btl ST.
ness in order was the call of states and terri
tories for bills and joint resolutions for refer
ence only. Under this call the following
were, among others, introduced and ordered
referred to committees when appointed:
By Mr.. Blaine ME. Joint resolution pro-
posing an amendment to the constitution OF
the United States. Judiciary. The amend
ment proposed is the school amendment OF
Mr. Blaine, which has already been extern
sively published and discussed
By Mr.. Hale (Me.)-Bill providing for the
registry vessels SaiIinp from, co. ,-a.o.-o