Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-01-07
HOUSE

AOObE
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.-Mr. Lamar pre-
sented q remonstrance Of the people Of
Arkansas against the invasion Of their right
Of selfgovernment. Referred.
Mr.. McDougal, from the Committee on
Military Affairs, reported the bill fixing the
Adjutant Generals Department Of the
army. Passed. The Department is to con-
sist Of one Adjutant General, with the
rank and pay and emoluments Of a Briga-
der General; two assistants, with, the rank
Of Lieutenant Colonel, and ten with the
rank Of Major.
Mr.. Hawkins introduced bill to reduce
the internal revenue taxes. Referred. It
proposes to abolish all taxes imposed by
stamps in schedules B and G of section II
Of the act Of June 80, 1854, and to increase
the duty on distilled spirits from 20 to so
cents per gallon.
Ar. Donnan, from the Committee on
Military Affairs, reported a bill giving to
the Memphis and Vicksburg Railroad Com
pany the right of way along the river bank
through the National cemetery at VicKs-
burg. Passed.
Mr.. Hale, of Maine, offered the following
resolution:
Whereas, the disturbed and revolutionary
condition OF affairs in Louisiana threatens
the destruction Of law and order and civil
rGle in that State; and whereas, by section
of article of the Constitution, it is made
the imperative duty of Congress to guaran-
tee to every State Of the Union a republic
can form CT government; and whereas, in
the judgment of this House, the most prac-
tical mode Of rendering this guarantee ef-
fectual in the case Of Louisiana, is 10 re-
move 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 instructed TO prepare and report without
delay bill providing for a new election of
State officers and Representatives in Con-
gTess in Louisiana, under such guards, re-
strictiOns and guarantees as will insure the
fullest liberty to every citizen to exercise
the right of suffrage without fear and with
out restraints, and as will provide for such
a count and declaration Of the result az will
insure to the majority their constitutional
and legal rights.
Mr.. Willard, Of Vermont, said he should
object to the present consideration Of the
resolution in that form. He had no Objec-
ton to its being referred to the judiciary
Committee, but he did object 10 a deClara-
ton by the House that il could order an
election in Louisiana or any other State.
Mr.. Hale remarked that the, resolution
was offered only for the purpose Of getting
an expression Of the sentiment of the House
on this most solemn matter.
The Speaker stated that debate could
only proceed by unanimous consent.
Mr.. KassOn-Then l object to preciPi
tating debate at this time.
Mr.. Randall-It is better to precipitate
debate than to precipitate civil war.
MIR. Eldridge-It seems to me that this
is a most oppOrtune occasion. [Objection
By Mr.. Kasson.l There can be no more
pressing question on Congress.
Renewed objection by Mr.. KaSsOn, en-
force by the Speaker with vigorous ham
mering of the gavel, but Mr.. Eldridge in
spite Of the noise thus made, continued his
remarks, which were to the effect that the
proceedings in Louisiana were now being
managed by the same individuals who had
lorded it over that people when that State
was being reconstructed by the same
tyrant.
Mr.. Hall-As objection is made, 1 now
give notice that l will, on Monday next,
move 10 suspend the rules il order to
adopt this resolution. do not propose to
take the subject from the Select Committee
if the House chooses to send il to il. But
the Importance Of any committee getting
information that will solve the question is
already shown by the fact hat most
high-handed proceedings have taken place
while the committee is setting there.
Mr.. Randall-WhO has committed these
high-handed proceedings?
Mr.. COx-The gentleman from Maine,
has given notice q y he will offer bis resO-
luton on the same subject, which cOmpre-
hends the idea of withdrawal Of the mill
tary force from Louisiana. l hope the line
VIII be drawn on that.
Mr.. Butler, OF Massachusetts, made a re-
mark that Mr.. Cox had offered a similar
resolution before the fall Of Fort Sumter.
Mr. Eldridge-I object to further debate.
If have to run race with the Speakers
gavel, the other side must do the same
thing.
Mr.. Negley-Before this question is set
tied we will have to send more military
force to Louisiana.
Mr.. Hale's resolution was returned to
him from the clerks desk, and there the
matter rests for the present. q
The House went into Committee Of the
Whole (Mr. Eldridge in the chair) on the
fertilization appropriation bill,
Mr.. Cox, returning to the Louisiana
question, remarked that there never had
been anything which so shocked the pub
lie sense Of the country as the order pro-
mulgated by Gen. Sheridan. The people
of the country were not patient or forbear-
ing on the matter, though the people of
Louisiana were. While these people fought
despotisIn, they did not raise their hands
against the flag of the country.
Mr.. Willard remarked that the observa-
ton which he made referred 10 the prOba-
bility Of the Democracy, when it came in
to power, precipitating the country into a
war with Spain, fur the acquisition Of
Cuba. He had always stood firmly Tor the
rights Of American citizens.
Mr.. Cox-Do you approve the bulletin
of Gen. Sheridan?
Mr.. Willard have already stated that
1 did not approve Of what has been done in
Louisiana for the past two years, and that