Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-07
Congressional Proceedings.
House


Judgment Of this House, the most practical mode
of rendering this guarantee effectual in the case
OF Louisiana, Is to remove all sense OF wrong and
oppression from the minds of its people by new,
fair and well guarded election for their civil officers
Therefore,
Resolved, That the Judiciary committee be in
structed to prepare and report without delay, q
bill providing for new election of State officers
and representations in Congress in Louisiana, un-
der such guards restrictions and guaran ce will
ensure the fullest liberty to every citizen TO ex-
ercisc the right of suffrage without fear and with
ont restraint and as will provide for such a count
ard declaration of the result as will ensure to tac
msicritv their constitutional and loyal rights
Mr. Villa d of Vermont said he should object
to the present consideration of the resolution in
that form. lie had no objection to its being re-
ferred to the judiciary committee, but he did OBJ
iect to declaration by the House that it could
order election in Louisiana or any other State.
Mr.. Hale remarked that the resolution was Of
fer d only for the purpose Of getting an express
ion of the sentiment of the House on this most
solemn natter He did not care particularly
whether the subject went to the judiciary commit
tee or to a select commit &c on Louisiana affairs,
but he wanted an expression of the sentiment of
the House, that the House would at once be-
gin to grapIle with the important matter. 1t was
not new question to him. lie had no doubt that
the solution + the matter was in accordance with
what was embodied in his proposition. lie had
bplieved for two years, and that conviction had
been strengthe ned every day.
Mr.. karson of Iowa, said he desired to inter-
pose an objection, so as to prevent debate in
tIcipation of the report of the select committee.
Mr.. Cox, of New York, wanted to know whelh-
er the debate the resolution was to be general.
The Speaker replied that the debate could only
proceed by unanimous consent.
Mr. Karson-Then l object TO precipitating
debate at this time.
Mr. Randsll-It is better to precipitatc debate
than to precipitate a civil war.
Mr.. Willard-1 do not approve, by any means,
Of the course taken in Louisiana during the past
two years. but do object to having this House
brought at once to vote upon such an important
proposition to the light of Congress to fix and
determine the election of State officers.
Mr.. Eidridge Of Wsconsin-It seems to me
that this Is the most opportune occasion. (Ohjec-
ton by Mr.. karson). There can be more
pressing question in Congress.
Renewed objection by NJ. karson WIS enforced
by the speaker with vigorous hammering of the
gavel, but Mr.. Eldridge, in spite of the noise,
continued his remarks to the OBJECT that the pro-
ceedings in Louisiana, were now being managed
by some individual who had lorded over the peo-
pie when that State was beiI 6 reconstructed by
the same tyrants.
Mr.. Hale-As objection is made | give notice
that will on Monday next move to suspend the
rules to adopt this resolution. I do not propose
TO take the subject from the the select committee,
if the House choose to send it to it. But the i'm
potency of any committee getting information
that will solve the question is already shown by
the fact that most high handed proceedings have
taken place while the committee is sitting here.
Mr.. Randall-Who has committed these high
handed proceedings'
Mr.. Cox-The gentleman from Maine has given
notice that he will offer his resolution next Mon
day. give notice of another resolution on the
5 ,Ine subject, which comprehends the idea Of the
withdrawal Of the military force from Louisiana.
hope the lire will be drawn on that.
Mr.. Butler made remark that Mr.. Cox had
offered similar resolution before the tall of Fort
Sumter.
Nv, IIae-This is no new idea of mine
Mr.. Edredge.-I object to further debate. Ii 1
have to run a race with the Speakers gave, the
other side must do the same thing.
Mr.. Negley of Pa.-l}efore this question is set
tied ire will have 10 send more military force to
Louisiana
Mi. 1Aes resolution was returned to him from
the clerks desk, and there the matter rests for the
present
Mr.. Karson introduced bill providing that the
act of the 22d of June, 1874, abolishng moities,
shall not be construed to effect any power author
ity or right of any court or officer of the United
States to obtain the testimony of an accomplish
in any crime or fraud on the customs revenue
laws on any trial or proceeding fer fine, penalty
or forfeiture under such laws.
Referred to the committee Oh ways and means.
The House then went into committee of the
whole, Mr. Eldrdge in the chair, On the fortifica-
ton Appropriation bill, which appropriates $500,
600, inc udng the following items
Portsmouth harbor, \. H.. 10000
Boston harbor So 600
Newport harbor, II. J., $4,000
Narraganset Bay, 206O0
New London harbOr Conn, 10000
East River, New York, 10000
New York harbor, $4,000
For some time The discussion OF the bill ian
along. the question of the utility of sea coast
fertilization.
Mr. Garfield, of Ohio, alluded to the principle
al atin and Mr. u of
Come ctcut, intimated that the American sea-
coast defences and the American navy were not
in condition to resist the Spanish navy.
Mr.. Cox of New York ridiculed 1he idea of in
ternatioDal arbitration, and showed that many OF
the greatest vars in h DRY have taken place with
i'll the last quarier of a injury. He declared that
there never was such tasco as the arbitration
system of the administration. Had the admins
tration settled the Nirginlus question with Spain
1t was not settled yet. Tie administration was
following the British government like little jolly
boat behind steamer The administration held
up the white banner to other nations, and made
war upon the American people.
Mr.. Willard remarked that as Notifications
would probably be necessary if the democracy
cane into pow, +, he would withdraw an amend
be had offered to reduce the appropriations.
Mr.. Cox returning to the Louisiana question,
remarked that there never had been anythin.
which so shocked the public sense of the couoty,
as the order promulgated by General Sheridan at
New Orleans. The people OF The country were
no, patient or forbearing in the matter though the
people of Louisiana were. While these people
ioug hit thieves and de.potsm, they did not raise
their hands against the flag of the country.
Mr.. Willard remarked that the observation
which he made referred to the probability OF the
democracy when it came into power, precipit.ting
q war with Spain for the acquisition of Cuba. lie
(Wiard) had always stood firmly Is he was
able for the rights OF American CT liens.
Mr.. Cox-Do you approve tn, bulletin Of Gene
raj Sheridan
Mr. Wi!liard-I have always stated that did
not approve of what has been done in Louisiana
for the last two years, and that includes the pro-
ceedfngs of The two osys.
Mr. Cox-Then make an ample apology to the
gentleman from Vermont but as to Cuba have to
say to him that my proposition to recognize the
of the Cubans, does not necessarily
mean going to with Spain.
Mr. Brock of Kentucky, read despatch from
General Sheridan to the Secretary of War, sug-
ge.ting proclamation of martial law and the trial
of the offenders in Louisiana by q drum head
court marshal, and also read decision of the
Supre me Court on the question of martial law,
and he remarked that the President should in-
stantly remove that commander, and put in his
place man who ard some regard for the rights
Of the peop.e.
Mr.. Iremain, of New York, protested against
The c,iticism of General Sheridau'S statement and