The Portland daily press., 1875-01-29
WASHINGTON.
The Night Session of the FHouse

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28-The night session of
the House was enlivened by one amusing Incl
dent. Mr. Shanks, Republican, interrupted the
monotony by again asking that the plank in
the National Democratic platform of 1872,
which guarantees equal rights, should be read.
Mr. Randall, Democrat, agreed to this, if the
Republican platform of 1860, relative to state
rights, could be read.
The Speaker said, Neither of the gentlemen
can read anything"
Both We're ieered down. Mr.. Shanks SUBJ
sequently rose to personal explanation He
said the Speakers statement would seriously
iniure him with his constituents. He wished
to demonstrate to the House that he could read
and to do that desired to read that plank of the
Democratic platform. This was the only public
incident to relieve the dreary monotony Of the
endless roll calls.
The members showed signs of great fatigue
The older men were very weary, the younger
ones very mad, but all seemed resoute, The
first suggestion of weakness came from a Dem
ocratic member, who proposed recess for an
hour. The proposition vas rejected with great
tumult
Some of the members arranged to sleep two
or three hours. A few were asleep on the floor
The sofas were filed. The floors and tables of
the adjacent committee rooms were occupied
by dozens of Congressman who were in wait
ing to respond to the call of languid pages
Up to this hour there have been nearly forty
roll calls since yesterday noon. The Republi-
cans insist that they will sit it out until Mon
day, when they hope to get two-thrds for the
Civil Rights bill and they expect to be able to
be able to pass modified new rule. Charles
A. Stevens, Alvah Crocker's successor, finds
his first experience severe one. He remained
until M, and retired, worn out by his jour
ney and the nights work. The New England
members generally continued at their posts.
During several roll calls answers were made to
the names of Eugene Hale of Maine, and Gen.
Garfield.
General Butler found at last that neither of
these gentlemen was present. He then COM
menced a series of motions designed to secure
call of the House to bring them. Before he
succeeded, Messrs Hale and Garfield, who had
been sleeping in their committee rooms, were
found and returned. There was no call of the
House.
The committee met as usual this morning,
the members leaving their work long enough
to answer the roll calls.
At 10 o'clock the point was raised that the
legislative day ended and new day begun.
The Speaker ruled that the session was eontin-
uous, and when an adjournment was had it
must be until the succeeding day at IL o'clock.
1t is stated that private understanding has
been reached TO continue the session certainly
till tomorrow night.
Treasury Balances.
The following are the Treasury balances for
of legal tenders for redemption of certificates of
deposit $43 $50 1000; coin, sos 1893, including
coin certificates 1927, 1868, 100; outstanding legal
tenders, 1882, 100000.
The Proposed New Rule.
There has been good deal of consultation
to-day among leading Republicans as to the
character of the new rule of the House. The
rnle proposed by Mr.. Cessna last Monday has
been substantially modified, and those Repub-
licans who voted against it can without incon'
sistency vote for the one to take its place.
Cessna's was to be applicable only to the re-
mainder of the present session. This is to be a
general rule till changed or repealed. 1t pro-
vides that when any question is pending before
the House there shall be but two dlatOry mo-
tions entertained-one to adjourn and one fix
ing time to which it shall adjourn, but the
previous question is not to be seconded on the
same day that the proposition is introduced or
reported, unless by majority or three -fourths
In other words the new rules is designed to
prevent flibustering, while at same time it
furnishes additional guard to the minority. 1t
is not very certain, however, whether even af-
ter the proposed rule is established advantage
will be taken of it to press the civil rights BILL
there being many express the opinion that the
urgent advocacy of that measure is more APP
parent than real, and that parliamentary means
will be found to let it escape becoming a law.
Various Matters.
The Secretary of the Navy to day signed the
contract awarded some time since to Winnie
Ream by Gen. Sherman and Mrs. Farragut
majority of the committee appointed by Con-
gress to select an artist for the execution of a
bronze statute Of the late Admiral Farragut.
The House committee ON Arkansas affairs
have had some difficulty about their report.
Judge Poland has written, giving his own
view in opposition to the present state govern
ment, but there is division among the mem
bers concerning it.