The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-17
FOrty.Fourth Congress.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.
A large number of memorials asking for
the appointment of commission to in
quire into the alcoholic liquor traffic, were
presented by Messrs. Sherman, Freling-
huysen, Wallace, Herman and others, all
of which were referred to the committee
on finance.
Mr.. withers of Virginia, by request, in
troduced bill to aid the Washington, Gin
cinnati and ST. Louis railroad company to
construct q narrow gauge railroad from
tide water to the cities of St. Louis and
Cincinnati. Referred to the committee on
railroads.
MIR. Howe introduced a bill to provide
for the appointment of commission on
the subject OF alcoholic liquor traffic. Re-
ferred to committee on finance.
Mr.. Conklipg presented memorial of
practical steamboat men and persons en-.
gagged in navigation, designating certain
portions in the steamboat laws which
should be changed. Referred to committee
on commerce. In presenting the memorial
Mr.. Conkling said he took great pleasure
in laying this paper before the senate, be-
cause it indicated particularly what changes
should be made, and also showed that the
men engaged in steamboating had some re-
gard for the safety of those travelling in
steamboats,.
Mr.. Spencer of Alabama SAID at the last
session of the Alabama legislature a COM
mittec was appointed to inquire whether
corrupt practices had been used to secure
his election to the senate. As the legisla-
ture which appointed this committee was
not the one by which he was elected to the
senate he had not appeared before 1t to
answer the charges. He denied the charges
of fraud and corruption, and said the legls-
lature which appointed this commission
was elected by fraud, the same as the one
recently elected in Mississippi.
The Alabama election by which this
legislature was put in, like that in Missis-
sippi, was part of a conspiracy to over
throw lawful government in the south.
He recognized the senate of the United
States as the only body having authority to
inquire into his election, and his right to
seat in this chamber. He therefore offered
resolution instructng the committee on
privileges and elections to inquire whether
George E. Spencer, senator in congress
from the state OF Alabama, did use or
cause to be used corrupt practices to Sc
cure his election to fseat in the senate, and
authorizing said committee to send for per-
sons and papers, and sit during the holiday
recess.
Senator Howe introduced bill to pro-
vide for commission on the subject of the
alcoholic liquor traffic. 1t requires the
president to appoint, subject to confirm
alton by the senate, commission of five
persons, neither of whom shall be federal
office holder, nor an advocate of prohib-
itory legislation, or of total abstinence, in
relation to alcoholic liquor, who shall serve
without salary and within two years inves-
tigate the liquor traffic, its relations to the
revenue and taxation and its general econ
omic, criminal, moral and scientific aspects,
IN connection with pauperism, crime, social
vice, public health, and the general well
fare of the people and also inquire and
take testimony as TO the results Of license
and probationary legislation for the pre-
vantinn of ;ntamporopca in thu cavaro I
states of the Union. The bill appropriates
$4,000 for necessary expenses, and re-
qulres the commission to report the result
of their investigation 10 the president, to
be by him transmitted to congress.
After two hours were spent in executive
session the senate adjourned.
CONTRIBUTIONS.
The senate IN executive session this
afternoon, confrmed the following NOM
nations
| VIM. Mckee Dunn, to be judge advo.
cate general of the United States army.
Curtis f. Burnham of Kentcky, to be
assistant secretary of the treasury.
| DaViu L. oyer 10 oc tuiteu ctates NJ
torney for the eastern district of Missouri
8. b. Axtell of California, 10 be governor
of New Mexico
David P. Thompson of Oregon, TO bt
governor Of Idaho.
0. II. Kenny, postmaster at Waverly
N. Y. ..r
There was long debate over the nom
ination of j. Madison Wells to be surveyor
of the port of New Orleans. IL was a
length confirmed by strict party vote ex
cept that of Senator Consistency, republi
can Of Michigan, voted no ; Booth of Gala
fornia, independent, voted aye, and Pad
dock of Nebraska, republican, refralne'
from voting