The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-12-16
Fort, Fourth COngress-First Session.
SENATE.

ANSASANS~ - va
affairs.
S.,gent introduced bill authorizing the
construction of postoffice in San Francisco,
Cal Referred.
luton declaring 1t had been alleged that fraud
and corruption prevailed in Mississippi during
the late election; that the states popular ma
Jorlty OF $4,000 was overcome ana Irauoulen1
majority OF over $4,000 returned, ana p.oVid-
ing for the appointment committee OF nve
senators to visit such state and inquire into
the circumstances attending the election. Laid
over at the request of Mr.. Bayard.
Mr.. Stevenson of KY, submitted resolution
calling upon the Secretary of the Treasury to
transmit to the Senate copies of all kilograms,
letters and other information in his possession,
relating to alleged violation of the internal
revenue laws at st. Louis, Chicago and Mil
waukee. A debate followed.
Mr.: Sherman opposed the resolution and
said to make this information public might de-
feat the ends of justice and allow the escape of
some of the guilty ones.
Mr. Stevenson had every confidence in the
secretary of the treasury but thought the Sen
ate should have information. AS the senator
from Ohio, (Sherman) objected, he would not
object to having it referred to the committee
on finance.
Mr.. Morton said he would vote for the reso-
luton leaving it discretionary with the Secre-
tary to withhold such information as might I'M
pede the course of justice
Mr. Stevenson said he had no desire to en-
barrass the Secretary and therefore withdrew
the reSoutiOn.
Mr.. Cooper gave notice that on Tuesday
next he would ask the Senate to consider the
resolutions in commemoration of the life and
services of his late colleague Andrew johnson.
Mr.. Morton of Indiana submitted the follow
ing concurred resolution
Resolved by the Senate, the House of REPRE-
sentatves concurring that the people of the
United States constitute nation, and are one
npoplp in the of national unity
Resolved That the government OF the United
States is not compact between states in
their municipal and corporate characters, but
was formed by the people of the United States
the states are defined and guaranteed by that
constitution and not by any outside theory Of
state sovereignty, and that the rights OF states
cannot be enlarged Lor diminished except by
an amendment to the constitution.
Resolved that the rights of states have the
same sanction and security in the constitution
as the rights and power of the national gov
eminent, and that local domestic government
by the states within the limits of the constitu-
ton is an essential of our free Republican sys-
tenn.
Resolved, That the doctrine that state has
the right to secede from the union is inconsist-
ent with the idea of nationality, and is in
conflict with the spirit and structure of the
constitution and should be regarded as having
been forever extinguished by the suppression Of
thesrebellion.
Mr. Morton asked to have the resolutions
printed and laid on the table, and it was so
ordered. He gave notice that at some future
time he would call them up for action.
Mr. Clayton introduced a bill for the relief OF
Isaac Lyon. Referred to the committee on
military affairs.
Mr. Clayton introduced bill to withhold
from sale a portion of the Fort Smith military
reservation in the state of Arkansas, and to
prescribe the manner in which the remainder
Oh I boc ofo 20
military affairs.
Mr.. Edmunds submitted a resolution that the
joint rules of the Senate and Holse of Repre-
sentatives in force at the close of the last ses-
sion of Congress be the same aid are hereby
adopted as the joint rules of the two houses for
tee on rules.
Mr.. Allison of Iowa introduced bill ex-
planatory of the act of June Goth, 1874, relat-
ing to the District of Columbia. Referred to
the district committee. Ut provides for the
payment for supplies furnished public schools
in money instead of bonds)
Mr.. Wright of Iowa introduced a bill to es-
tablish an insurance department, and to pro-
vide for the incorporation and regulation of
insurance companies in the District of Column
bia. Referred to district committee.
The Chair laid before the Senate resolution
submitted by Mr.. Morton on the 10th inst, to
amend the 18th rule of the Senate so that bills
may be introduced without previous notice and
III was TeIeTr6u 10 C06 C0mmltto6 on rules.
Mr.. West submitted an order that the com
mittee on contingent expenses be instructed to
report what amounts of compensation, if any,
is in their opinion due to the respective contest
ants, VIM. l. Mcmillan and Jno. Ray, claim
ants to seats in the Senate for unexpired
term OF VIM o. kellogg and to VIM. L. Nc
MILAN as claimant heretofore to seat in the
Senate for the term commencing March 4th
Referred
Senate at II o'clock went into executive ses-
sion and at 10 adjourned.
HOUSE.
The Speaker stated that inasmuch as the
committee were not appointed, he would pro-
tions.
Mr.. Hale of Maine, offered the following re-
solution and moved the previous question on its
adoption:
Whereas, the country is suffering under the
evils OF an lrredeemable currency which causes
uncertainty in business and stimulates specula-
ton to the prejudice of legitimate business and
labor; and
Whereas, both parties in the United States
stand committed against reputation in favor
OF speedy return to specie payments; and
Whereas, Congress established like policy
in the act of March 49, 1862 which was follow
ed by the act of January IA, 1875, providing for
the return to specie payments on the first day
of January, 1879, therefore,
Resolved, That in the Judgment of this
House prompt legislative measures should be
taken to render said act of January IA, 1875,
effective by placing in the hands of the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury. whatever power may be
necessary to that end.
Mr.. Jones of Kentucky, moved to lay the
resolution on the table.
Mr.. Hale-On that motion call for the yeas
and nays.
Mr.. Wood of New York; ask the chair if
this resolution is not of that peculiar character
that 1T should be necessarily considered by a
committee. Laughter on the Republican side.]
The Speaker-The chair does not regard that
as proper parliamentary inquiry.
Mr.. Hale-In other words the gentleman
from New York wishes to put the question off.
MIR. Wood-l do not want to put it off. 1
am ready to meet it quite as early as the gen.
tleman from Maine, who offers mere empty
vague declaration. Laughter on the Republi
can side.) l want the question to be considered
by the appropriate committee and to let that
committee report proper legislation.
MIR. Hale-I have asked for the yeas and nays
on the motion of the gentleman from Ken
lucky.
Mr.. Jones-I withdraw the motion. (Tri-
umphant laughter on the Republican side.)
teri So far as am personally concerned the
gentlemen know what my opinion is and that
L am ready to meet the question.
Mr.. Hale demanded the yeas and nays on the
previous question. The House refused to Sec
ond the previous question-yeas 45, nays 145
Several Republicans voted no. Among them
was Kelley of Pennsylvania, who was the first
man to pass between the tellers on that side.
The resolution was then referred to the Com
mttee on Banking. Several bills and resolu-
tions were introduced and referred including
the following:
By Mr.. Stark weather to amend the law re.
latng to postage on mailable matter of the
third class, providing that from the first of
January 1876 postage Oh pamphlets, transient
newspapers, periodicals, magazines. hand bills,
posters, unsealed circulars proof sheets and
corrected proof sheets shall be one cent for
every two Dances or fraction thereof, and that
postage on all other maiable matter shall re-
main as now provided by law. He moved to
suspend the rules and pass the bill fixing post
age on mailable matter of the thir1 class at
one cent on every two ounces or fraction there
of.
Mr.. Randall of Pennsylvania, suggested that
the bill be first considered by committee.
Mr.. Starkweather remarked hat the bill only
proposed to carry out the universal desire of
the people to have the postage on transient
newspapers placed where it was.
Mr.. Randall am quite as willing as the
gentleman from Connecticut to have the post.
age on newspapers placed where it was before
your side of the House increased it.
Mr.. Starkwether-Both sides of the House.
Mr.. Randall-There are other objections to
this bill. The postage on packages was in
creased in the interests of monopoly, and 1
wish to repeal that also.
After further discussion Mr. Starkweather