Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-12-16
FOr!y-F0urth Congress- First Session
SENATE.

SENATE.
Washington, December 10.
Mr.. Anthony submitted resolution permitting
Rear Admiral Almy 10 accept decoration from
the king of Hawaii islands.
Referred to the committee on Naval Affairs.
Mr.. Sargent introduced bill authorizing the
construction Of n postotice in San Francisco
Referred.
Mr.. Morton submitted resolution alleging that
fraud prevailed in the last State election in Miss,
and calling for committee of five senators to 90
there and investigate.
Laid over, at request of Mr. Bayard.
Mr.. Stevenson submitted resolution calling
upon he Secretary of the Treasury to transmit to
the Senate copies of all tcegrau.s, vc. in hi
possession concerning the whisky iiauds.
\ debate followed.
Mr.. Sherman thought making the information
public would defeat the ends of justice and let the
guilty ones escape.
Mi Stevenson had every confidence in the Sec
rotary, and he would not object to having rcsolu-
ton referred to the Finance committee.
Mr.. Morton favored leaving it discretionary
with the Secretary to withhold such information
as might impede the course of justice.
Mr. Stevenson had desire to em5arrass the
Secretary, and therefore withdrew the resolution
Mr.. Cooper said Tuesday next he would ask
the Senate to consider resolutions in commence
ration of the life and services OF his late COL
league, Andrew Johnson
Mr.. Morton submitted the following:
Resolved, That the people OF the U. 5. consti-
tute nation, and are one people in the sense of
national unity.
Resolved, That the governmental the L. S. is
not a compact between States in their municipal
and corporate character, but formed by the
people Of the [. ;. in their primary capacity; that
the rights of the states are defined and guaranteed
by that consttution-not by any outside theory of
state sovereignty and that the rights of States
cannot be enlarged diminished except by an
amendment to the constitution.
Resolved, That the rights Of States have the
same sanction and security in the constitution
the rights ard powers of the National government
and that local domestic government by the States,
within the limits of the constitution, is essen
tial Of our free republican system.
Resolved, Tsat The doctrine that State has the
right TO secede from the Union. is inconsistent
with the idea of nationality and Is in conflict with
the spirit aud structure Of the constitution, and
should be regarded ; having been forever.
Mr. CLAYTON introduced bill for the relief Of l.
s Lyon.
Referred to the committee on Military Affairs
MrClayton also introduced bill to withhold
from sale portion ef Fort Smith tAIk.) military
reservation and to prescribe the manner in which
the remainder shall be sold.
Referred to committee on Military Affairs.
Mr. Edmunds submitted resolution that the
Joint rules of the last Senate and House are here
by adopted as the joint rules of both houses dur
ing the present session.
Referred to committee on Rules.
MI. Allison introduced Dill explanatory OF the
act of June 20, 1874 relating to the District of
Columbia.
Referred to District committee.
lit provides for the payment for supplies fun
ni,hcd public schools in money, instead of bonds.
Mr.. Wright introduced bill to establish an in
surance department and provide for the regulation
and incorporation Of insurance companies in the
District of Columbia.
Referred to the District committee.
The Chair laid before the Senate a resolution to
| Il No. hiatt In, ,,,tr
duced without previous notice.
Referred to the committee on Rules.
Mr.. West submitted resolution instiucling the
committee on Contingent Expenses be instructed
to inquire what compensation Is due the several
contestants from Ia.
Referred
The Senate proceeded to consideration of es-
ecutive business, and soon adjourned until to-
morrow
IIOUsr.
The Speaker said the committee were not yet
appointed
the previous question its adoption:
Whereas, The country is suffering under the
evils Of an lnedeCnabic currency, which causes
uncertainty in business and stimulates speculation
to the prejudice of legitimate business and labor
and
Whereas, Both political parties in the L. S.
stand committed against reputation and in favor
Of speedy return to specie payment, and
Whereas, congress c>laDNsneu a IKE nOilcV IN
the act of March l6, 1869, which was followed by
the act of Jan. II, 1879, providing for the return of
specie payment on Jan. I, 1875, therefore,
Resolved That in the judgment of this House,
prompt legislative measures should be taken to
render said acts effective by placing in the hands
Of the Secretary of the Treasury whatever power
may be necessary to that end
Mr. Jones Of Ky. moved TO lay the resolution
or the table.
Mr.. Hale called for the yeas and nays on that
question.
Mr.. Wood asked the Chair if the resolution was
not of that peculiar character that it should nee
essarily be referred to a committee.
Laughter on rep. side.
The Speaker do not regard that as q proper
parliamentary inquiry.
Mr. Ilale-The gentleman (Wood) wishes TO
put the question Oft.
Mr. Wood denied that be wished to put il OFT,
but was quite as ready as the gentleman, who Of
fered mere vague, empty declaration.
Renewed lau liter,
Mr. Hale-I have asked for the yeas and nays
on the motion OF the gentleman from Ky.
Mr. .Iones-l withdraw the motion.
Triumphant laughter or the rep. side.
Mr. Jones-I 10 this under the advice Of ny
friends.
Mr. Hale demanded the yeas and nays on the
previous question.
The House refused to second the call-7j to H.
Several reps. voted no, among them Mr.. Kelley
of Pa.
The resolution was then referred to the Bank
ing committee.
Several bills and resolutions were introduced
and referred, among them the following
An act to amend the national currency acts.
BY Mr.. Starkweather
TO reduce postage, by providing that after the
l.; Il March. 1876, postage to be charged On
81 t,a3s mail matter, including pamphlets, tran
sient newspapers, periodicals., magazines, Land
bills, posters, unsealed circulars, proof and cor
rectcI proof sheets, shall be lie for every ozs. or
fract'on thereof; and that postage on all other
maila5le matter shall remain as now provided by
law.
Mr.. Starkweather moved to suspend the rules
and pass the bill.
NIr. Randall of Pa. suggested that the bill be
first considered by committee.
Mr. Starkweather remarked that the bill pro-
posed to carry out the universal desire Of the
people TO have the postage On transient newspa
pers placed where il was
BY Mr. Randall;
To remove the political disabilities imposed end
rem aiming on any person by virtue of the third
section OF the llth article of the amendments TO