Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-21
Congressional Proceedings.
SENATE.

Mr.. Morrill, Of Maine submitted an amendment
authorizing the Adjutant General Of he Army with
the services of 81 enlisted clerks in copying
ter rolls and war claims and to employ go enlisted
men as messengers and watchmen, until all the
records of the Adjutant Generals office be gath
cred in one suitable building
| Agreed to.
Mr.. Sargent submitted an amendment appropri-
ating $50 900 instead of Sl5, 900 for miscellaneous
articles exclusive of labor for the Senate. which
was agreed to.
| Mr.. Morrill, (of Maine) submitted an amend
| ment directing the Postmaster General at the end
of the present fiscal year, upon demand of the les
sor to deliver up the possession of the House 9l5
E. Street, in the city of Washington, now occupied
by the post Office department.
Agreed to.
MI Hamilton (of Texas inquired who was the
owner of the property, Mr. Morrill, replied that the
lease in the hands of the committee was between
the former Postmaster General and A. c. Brad
bury. Mr. Hamilton said he understood the prop
erty was now owned by Alex. r. Shepherd. He
| thought S2200 per annum was too much to pay
| for it. Plenty of houses in Washington could be
secured for $1,000 per annum. He understood
| that this property was rent for $500 recently.
| He moved to amend by striking out 5000 and in
serting $500 for the annual rent of the same.
| Mr.. Pratt said that property equally valuable
| could be rented in Washington for Sll00 or $1,000
per annum.
| Mr. Hamiltons amendment was agreed to, yeas
y, nays H..
| Mr. Morrill, of Maine moved an amendment
providing for the appointment of draughtsman
| in the Signal Office at salary of $500 per
mum.
Agreed to.
| The Senate then proceeded to the consideration
of the bill making appropriations for Notifications
and other works Of defence, for the fiscal year
ending June Goth, 1876, and it passed as it came
| from the House.
Mr.. Morrill, of Maine moved to take up the con-
suar and diplomatic appropriation bills.
Agreed to.
| The only amendment of importance report
| ed by the committee appropratng
| S2S,100 for salaries and expenses of the United
States and Mexican claims commission, which was
| agreed to.
| The bill passed.
! Mr.. Morton moved to take up the proposed
amendment to the constitution submitted by the
| committee on privileges and elections.
Agreed to.
Mr.. Sherman said he had yielded to the senator
from Indiana to have the proposed amendment
acted upon and gave notice that after it was dis
posed of he would claim the floor to finish his re-
marks in regard to the business troubles.
MIR. Rawson moved an amendment appropriat-
ing $1,000 for the Assaye office, at Charlotte, No.
Carolina.
| Agreed to.
| Mr.. Anthony moved an amendment authorizing
the Congressional printer to print extracts from
the Congressional record, upon the order of any
Senator, Member Of the House or delegate, who
shall first order and pay the cost of the same.
Agreed to.
Mr.. Robertson moved an amendment appropri-
ating ~, $50 for the office Of the Asst Treasurer
at Charleston, 5. Z.
Agreed to.
Mr.. ingalls,, Of Kansas, moved to strike out the
clause providing that the business of the office of
Surveyor-Ge of Kansas be settled and the
office be closed and discontinued before
June 80, 1876
Agreed to.
Mr.. West moved to increase the appropriation
for miscellaneous items in the Office of Commits y
General from $1,000 to $4,000.
Agreed to.
The bill was then reported to the Senator. and
all the amendments made in the committee of the
whole were agreed to- except the one in regard to
the I'd section, providing that the Circuit Court of
the United States for the district of Iowa, shall be
held at the times and places now provided fol- by
law, now holding the United States district court,
which was stricken out.
The bill was read a third time and passed.
Mr.. Morton had then the proposed amendment
read follows
Resolved,-By the Senate and House of Repre-
sentative in Congress assembled, twothirds
of each House concurIing therein, that the
following article is hereby proposed as an
amendment to the constitution of the United
States, and when ratified by the legislatures
of three-fourths of the States, shall be valid,
TO all intents and purposes, as part of the con-
stitution, to wit:
Article l. The President and Vice President
shall be elected by direct vote of the people, in
the manner following:
Each State shall be divided into districts, equal
in number to the number of representatives to
which the State may be entitled to in Congress;
to be composed Of contiguous territory and to be
as nearly equal in population as may be, and the
person having the highest number OF votes in each
district for President shall receive the vote of that
district, which shall be counted one Presidential
vote.
Article II. The person having the highest num-
Der of votes for President in State shall receive
two Presidential votes from the State at large.
Article III. The person having the highest
number of Presidential votes in the United States
shall be President.
Article w. If two persons have the same num-
Der of votes in any State, it being the highest
number, they shall receive each one Presidential
vote from the State at large, and if more than two
persons shall have each the same number of votes
in another State, it being the highest number,
presidential vote shall be counted from the State
at large. II more persons than oae have the same
number of votes i'll district, no Presidential vote
shall be counted from that district.
Article V. The foregoing provisions shall APP
ply to the election Of Vice President.
Article VI. Congress shall have power to pro-
vide for Holding and conducting the elections of
President and Vice President, and to establish
tribunals for the decision of such elections may
be contested.
Article VII. The State shall be divided into
may at a time by law, make or alter the same.
| After it read Mr.. Morton yielded to Mr..
Morrill, OF VT, for a motion fer executive scs-
sion.
| Mr.. West presented memorial of the General
| assembly of Louisiana, in regard to the regent
disturbances in that State Referred to the COM
mittee on privileges and elections.
! After the executive session the Senate Adj
journcd.
HOUSE
The Speaker presented Il message from the Pres
ident, calling especial attention to the absolute
| necessity of providing proper armament for sea
| coast defense Referred to the committee on mill
tary affairs.
NEBRASKA
Senatorial.
| Omaha, January 20. Baloting for L.. $. Sena-
tor was resumed to-day. The first ballet resulted