Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-02-09
CONGRESSIONAL.
The Senate Refuses to Let the
Arlington Estate go Before
the Court of Claims.
The Sewing Machine Monopoly
Receives a Quietus.
Morton Reports In Favor of Civ
ing Pinchback a Seat.
The Republicans in the House
Fear TO DenOunce the
Third Term.


SENATE
WASHINGTON, Feb. S.-Mr. Scott, from
the Committee on Railroads, reported adj
verSely on the bill to aid the Washington,
Cincinnati and st. Louis Railroad Compa-
ny to construct a narrow gauge railroad
from tidewater to the cities Of st. Louis
and Chicago. Placed on the calendar with
the adverse report
Mr.. Scott, from the same committee, re-
ported adversely on the bill to incorporate
the Dakota and Montana Rail1oad Com
pany, and the bill to chartering the Forty
hrst Parallel Company of the United
States, from Lake Erie to the Mississippi
river, and to limit the rates of freight
thereon, and they were indefinitely post
poned. -
Mr.. Conkling from the Judiciary Com
mittee, reported adversely on the bill to
give jurisdiction to the Court of Claims to
hear the claim Of G. ". Gusts Lee for Ar
lingtOn, and it was indefinitely postponed.
By vote Of % nays TO 13 yeas, House
bill for the relief Of John w. Marsh was re-
jected. This was the sewing machine pat
ent bill.
The chair laid before the Senate mes
sage from the President regarding affairs
in Arkansas, in which he says all the testi-
mOny will show that in 1872 Joseph Brooks
was lawfully elected Governor ofthe State.
and was unlaWfully deprived of his Office,
and that in 1874, the government of the
State was OverthrOWnt by lawleSs and reac-
tionary measures. In concluding the mes
sage the President submits that a precedent
so dangerous should not be allowed to pass
unnOticed, and asks Congress to take ac-
tion in regard to the subject.
A debate ensued as 10 whether the mes
sage should be referred to the Committee
on Privileges and Elections or TO the Judi
| ciary Committee.
Mr.. Clayton moved to refer it to the for
mer committee, and Mr.. Thurman moved
to substitute the Judiciary Committee. 1t
was finally ordered to be printed and laid
on the table.
Mr.. Schurz presented a memorial from
citizens Of the United States praying an
amendment to the Constitution 10 abolish
the Offices Of President and Vice President,
and yesting powers now belonging to them
in a council OF seven members, to be
chosen by the House of Representatives, to
which body they shall be responsible. Re
feTred.
Mr.. Ferry presented the resolutions of
the Legislature Of Michigan fayoring the
passage Of bill granting 16O acres Of gov
| ernment land 70 the soldiers and sailors OF
the late war, without regard TO occupation,
also, for the equalization of bounties. Re
| ferred.
Mr.. Spencer introduced a bill respecting
the retirement Of Maj. Gen. Dan E. Sickles.
Referred.
Mr.. Chandler called up the bill 70 revise.
amend and consolidate the laws relating to
the security Of life on board Of vessels pro-
peiled in whole or in part by sseam. il be-
ing the unfinished business from SATURDAY..
Mi. Cameron objected to the further con
! sideration Of the bill, and moved that it be
laid over
Mr. Morrill,, OF Maine, favored the motion
OF Mr.. Cameron, and said he could not en-
terrain for a moment that Congress wouId
adjourn without taking some action in re-
gard to providing a government for the
District Of Columbia. He hoped al pend
ing orders would be laid aside, and the bill
TO provide a government for the district
taken up.
The motion Of Mr.. Cameron to. postpone
the steamboat bill was lost.
Mr.. COnkling opposed the bill, and
moved 70 amend so as 10 provide that every
steamer shall be provided with double act
ing force pumps, to be worked by steam in
stead Of hand. Rejected.
lie then moved to strike out of the fourth
section the clause allowing the transporta-
tiOn Of loose hay, loose cotton OF hemp,
campheCe, nitro glycerine, naptha, benzine
and other explosive substances on ferry
boats. Rejected.
Mr.. Morton, from the Committee on
Privileges and Elections, submitted a re-
port in the case Of p. b. S. Pinchbalk K. and
a resolution declaring him entitled 10
seat as Senator from Louisiana from March
4, 1873.
Mr.. Hamilton, of New York, said that
purpOTted TO be a majority report Of the
committee. As a member of the minority.
lie raised the point of order that the report, /
not being signed by five members, was not !
the report Of a majority Of the committee.
1t was signed by four members only, and
could not be received as a majority report. |
Mr.. Morton said when the report was 1
submitted to the committee there were |
seven members present; five members made
a quorum; four we're q majority of all the /
members present, and the report was there |
fore the report Of the committee. He did /
not submit it as a majority report, but as |
the report Of the committee.
Mr.. Thurman said the Senator from In
diana very coOlly said he made this report /
as the report Of the committee. The point /
was whether four members of a committee
of nine could make a report of the commit
tee. 1t had been said this could be done /
because there were only seven members
present. He did not know whether the /
Senate had any right to 90 into an inquiry /
as to the number Of members present when
a report was agreed upon.
Mr.. Edmunds said there was nothing in
the point Of order. There were nine meni-
hers Of the committee. Five constituted a
quorum, and there was a quorum present
The report was signed by a majority of the
members present, and therefore was the re.
port Ofthe committee. It might as well be
said majority Of the Senators present could
not pass a bill.
Mr.. Hamilton said lie felt it to be his
duty to make the point Of order.
The chair Mr.. Anthony decided that a
quorum Of the committee was cOmpetent to |
transact business, and a majority of the
number present could make a reports He,
therefore, overTu the point Of order sub
mitted by Mr.. Hamilton.
The report submitted 5y Mr.. Morton was
ordered to be printed and laid on the table.
Mr.. Hamilton gave notice that he would
submit minority report.
Pending discussion on the steamboat bill,
the Senate went into executive session and
soon after adjourned.
HOUSE.