Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-12-18
Forty. Fourth Congress- First Session.
SENATE.

Washington, December II.
Mr.. England of Ct. presented a memorial of the
citizens Of CT, asking the repeal of the bankrupt
act.
Referred to judiciary committee.
Various memorials asking the appointment OF a
commission to enquire into the alcoholic liquor
traffic were presented and referred to the COM
mttee on Finance.
Mr.. Edmunds of Vermont submitted the follow
ing:
Whereas, Since the last session of the senate
the Vice President Of the United States has de-
ceased, therefore
Resolved, That ON the 7th of January next, at
o'clock in the afternoon, the senate proceed to
the election Of g president pro TEN.
MIR. Edmunds said be offered this resolution and
would like it to lie over and be printed, in order
that during the recess senators might look up the
precedents and consider the important question
which had been suggested in the newspapers and
otherwise, in respect to the speaker Of the house
and president of the senate, on the event of what
in the course Of life was a probable contingency.
He had no personal doubt that the present presid-
ing officer Of the senate was president pro tenn.
within the constitution, but his opinion was that it
was advisable, if there was any possible doubt
about it. that the senate should put the question at
rest
Mr.. Thurman suggested that the senator from
VT consent to have the resolution referred to the
Judiciary committee, of which he (Edmunds) was
Shahhaus VI W tuC COmtultlcc Ou I1lcCtlOuS- IL
referred to a committee, report could be made,
and the senate should have report on it from
some committee.
Mr.. Boutwell, suggested that it be referred 10
the Judiciary committee.
MIR. Thurman moved that it he referred to the
committee on Elections.
Mr.. Salisbury said he was member of the
committee on Elections, but he did not seek to
avoid any duty. 1t occurred to him that this
question properly belonged to the Judiciary COM
mttee, and he moved to refer it to that commit
tee.
Mr.. Edmunds said he was willing 10 have it re-
ferred.
Mr.. Saulsbury's motion was agreed to.
subsequently that motion was reconsidered, and
the resolution was referred to the committee on
Elections.
Petitions presented
by Mr.. Ward:
From the wholesale grocers OF New York, for
the restoration OF the former rates of postage on
merchandise samples.
By Mr. Starkweather:
From citizens of Mystic Bridge and Norwich,
Ct, for the establishment of a signal station on
Block Island, to be connected with the mainland
by telegraph cable.
By Mr. Slemons of Ark.
resolution calling on the Attorney General for
information as to the number OF pensions held by
authority of the United States government, in the
different State prisons, with the annual expense
thereof.
Adopted.
Mr.. Conger of Mich:
For the better protection of immigrants and to
prevent the importation Of criminals.
Mr.. Oliver Of Ia:
To abolish capital punis hment.
Mr.. Rusk of WIS.,:
Providing that all pensions on account of death
from wounds or disease received in the service,
shall commence from the date Of death or dis
charge. Also granting pensions to soldiers and
sailors Of the Mexican war.
Mr.. Page of Cal, offered the following resolu-
ton:
Whereas, The constitution of the United States,
as framed by the fathers of the republic imposes
no limits on the legibity of any citizen to the Of
fee of president, farther than that he must be
tive born, and OF certain age, and time OF resi-
dence, therefore
Resolved, That in the independence of this
House, the right of selecting candidates for the
office of President can only be lawfully exercised
by the people under existing constitutional restric
tons, and has never been delegated by the people
to the House OF Representatives, or to any Of the
members Of the Senate, and that any attempt by
the House of Representatives to limit or forestal
the public will, on question of such Importance,
is an invasion of the powers reserved by the peo-
pie at large, to be fully exercised by them without
any interference from any legislative body what
ever.
The reading of the resolution was greeted with
laughter on both sides of the House, and the
House refused to second the previous question 80
to SO.
BY Mr.. Donnell of Mimi;
To regulate the sale and survey of timber lands
Of the United States also to provide for the equal
ization of soldiers bounties.
Mr.. Lawrence of o., introduced the following,
which was agreed to:
Whereas, The incorporation of general legisa-
ton appropriation bills sometimes require either
the support of objectional provisions or opposition
to necessary appropriations, and
Whereas, Every measure should stand its own
merit, therefore
Resolved, That the committee on Rules be di-
rected to report an amendment to the rules which
shall exclude from appropriation bills all general
taxation, either on reports of conference commit
tees or otherwise.
Mr.. Cox of New York, offered the following
which was agreed to:
Resolved, That the committee on Foreign At
fairs inquire into and report upon the efficiency
and justice of giving to the German Empire the
notice required by the 9Th article of the treaty
with the North German empire, signed Feb 22d,
1868, for the termination of said treaty, or so
much thereof and of the protocol of June II, 1871,
as related to citizens of the United States, their
OF naturalization and their political
condition in Germany under said treaty and pro-
toco
The House adjourned at 2.l5 till Monday next,
with the understanding that the business ON that
day be confined to the presentation by the Speak