The New York herald., 1875-12-17
CONGRESS
The Election Of Senator Spencer, Of Alabama
10 BE Investigated
Bills introduced and Memo
rialS Presented.
Interesting Debate on the Missis-
sippi Election Case.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON. Dec. l6. 1875.

large humDet OI memorials asking the appointment
OF a commission to inquire into the alcoholic liquor
traffic we're presented by Messrs. Sherman of Ohio
Freinghuysen Of New Jersey, Wallace Of Pennsylvania
Herman OF New York and others, all OF which we're re-.
ferred to the Committee on Finance
Mr.. WirHERs. dem.l OF Va, by request introduced
bill to aid the Washington and Cincinnati St Louis
Railroad Company TO construct gauge railroad
from tdewater TO the cities of St Louis and Cincin-
natl. Referred to the Committee on Railroads.
Mr.. MCDONALD, (deml Of Ind, introduced bill for
the relief OF James H. Woodward Referred to tho
Committee on Pensions
Mr.. HOWE, repl Of Wis, introduced bill to provide
for the appointment of commission the subject OF
the alcoholic liquor traffic Referred the Committee
Finance,
Mr. CoSKLNG (rep) OF N T., presented a memorial or
practical steamboat and persons engaged in nay-
CATION designating certain portions the steamboat
laws which should be changed Referred to the Com
mittce on Commerce.
In presenting the memorial Mr. Conklp SAID he
took great pleasure laying this paper before the Sen
ate because it indicated particularly what changes
should be made and also showed that the engaged
in steamboatng had regard for the safety Of those
travelling steamboats,.
ALABAMA sEsAToRsHIP.
Mr. SPENCER, trep) Of Ala, said at the last session
Of the Alabama Legislature committee was appointed
inquire whether corrupt practices had been to
his election to the Senate AS the Legislature
which appointed this committee not the one by
which he elected to the Senate he had not ap-
peared before it answer the charge He denied the
charges Of fraud and corruption, and said the Lcgsa-
ture which appointed this committee elected by
fraud the same as the one recently elected in Mississippi
The Alabama election by which the Legislature put
IN, like that in Mississippi, part OF conspiracy TO
overthrow lawful government In the South He recog
nzed the Senate OF the United States the only body
having authority to lnnulre into his election and his
right TO seat In this chamber. He therefore, offered
a resolution instructing the Committee on Privileges
and Elections inquire whether George H. Spencer
Senator in Congress from the State OF Alabama did
cause TO be used corrupt practices TO secure his
election TO seat in the Senate and authorizing SAID
committee to send for persons and papers and SIT dur
ing the holidays recess
Mr. DAVIS, (dem. J. Of w. Va, suggested that the
olution lie on the table and that IT be printed.
Mr. CoSKLIsG said the Senator from Alabama had
been assailed, and he asked for investigation BY
Senate committee He hoped the Senator from West
Virginia would not ask postponement
Mr. THURMAN, (dem.) Of Ohio said he knew nothing
whatever Of tie case but IL seemed TO him that the
resolution as drawn simply directed an inouiry az 10
whether the Senator had himself used corrupt prac-
tees The broader question as TO whether the election
secured by fraud not covered by the resolution
Mr.. SPgscER said he would modify ii to meet the
views OF the Senator from Ohio. The resolution
then modified to read as ollows:-
Resolved That the Privileges Elections
are hereby instructed 20 investigate INTO and inqnre
o The state Of 4sbm9 there we're used or caused 70 be
used and employed corrupt means and corrupt practices 10
committee be empowered administer oaths send for
ana " ~ es Spg sy esm 9
cessary and sit during the Of Congress considered
soon as practicable,
The resolution, as modified, agreedSo.
BILLS INTRODUCED
Mr. SHERMAN, rep Of Ohio, by request, introduced
bill restore the name OF Edward 5. Meyer to the
active list Of the army Referred TO the Committee
Mr. HAMuN, trep) or Ne, introduced bin to pro-
vide for the payment OF expenses OF district judges of
the United States in certain Referred the Com
mittee the judiciary
Mr.. Hamlin explained the provisions Of the bill, and
said the salaries Of the district judges were regulated by
law The law also provided that such judges might be
assigned 10 duty n districts outside Of their own, and
IN some cases where so assigned their expenses we're
paid That rule, however was not uniform and the OBJ
iect Of this bill was to make II so.
Mr. JONES' dem) Of Fla, introduced bill to author
ze the Secretary Of the Interior sell public auction
land no longer required for military purposes Re
lcrred TO the Committee on Public Lands
hr lSGALLs, rcpl Of kan, introduced bill TO au-
thorze the appointment Of special agents TO Investigate
frauds under the pension laws Referred TO the Com
mttee on Pensions.
Mr. CRAGIS. trcpl Of N H., introduced bill for tho
relief OF A. S. Wales, medical inspector in the United
States Navy Referred to the Committee on Naval
Anairs.
Mr. ANTHONY, trep) OF r. T., introduced bin for
the relief Of the heirs of Asbury Dickens Referred TO
the Committee on Claims
Mr. MORRILL,, trepl Of VT, introduced bill TO incor-
porate the Mutual Protection Fne Insurance Company
Of the District Of Columbia Referred to the District
Committee.
Mr. BuRxsrDE trep) OF r. H. introduced a bill to re-
store appointments and promotions the pay depart
ment or the army. Referred to the Committee on
Military Affairs.
Mr. CLAY (rep.l OF Ark, introduced a b donating
the military at Fort smith to the city of
Fort Smith for free schools Referred 10 the Committee
on Military Affairs.
Mr. RANSOM, dem Of n c. submitted resolution
authorizing g. Harris Heap Consul for the United
States at Tunis 10 accept Of the trust OF Commissioner
Of the Bey OF Tunis tho International Exhibition Of
1876 at Philadelphia Referred to the Committee on
Foreign Relations.
Mr. RoBsRrsoN trep) or S. c. introduced a bill for
the relief Of John Voorhees, Of that State Referred
to the Committee on Claims.
Mr. OGLEsBy rep of Ill, presented memorial OF
settlers on lands ia Kansas embraced IN Kansas tribe
or Indian reservation praying that said lands may be
reappraised. Referred TO the Committee on Indian
Affairs
Mr. FERRY, trep) Of Mich, presented memorial of
citizens Of Deedsvile Ind Tor reduction Of postage
on merchandise, and the enactment Of law althoriz
ing the passage through the mails Of the United States
OF packages Of four pounds less at rate Of postage
OF one-haf cent per ounce Referred TO the Committee
on Post Offices and Post Roads
THE ANDREW JOHNSON RESOLUTIONS
Mr.. COOPER, dem 81 Tenn, said he gave notice yes
erday that Tuesday next he would ask the Senate
consider resolutions in memory Of his late colleague
Andrew Johnson Since then he had learned that the
House had voted 10 adjourn from Monday next until
the 4h Of January. He desired TO have those rcsolu
tlons before the Senate possible and gave
notice that he would offer them on Tuesday the llth
Mr CLaYroS, Of Arkansas, presented the memoria
of the heirs OF ex-senator Sebastian, deceased, Tor
merly Senator from Arkansas, praying the annul
ment Of the act for his expulsion and the restitution
the rights OF his heirs Referred the Committee
Privileges and Elections.
Mr. JOHNSTON dem.l Of Va, presented memorial
OF Agnes and Maria De Leon, heirs Of Mrs II. l.. De
Leon asking compensation for injury done 70 property
In Albuquerque, New Mexico by United states troops
Referred to the Committee Claims
Mr. HARVEY, trcpl Of Kan, presented the me.
moral Of citizens 0 Kansas for tho repeal 81 the Ia
imposing the two cent stamp on bank checks. Re
ferrcd To the Committee on Finance.
TnE HOLIDAY RECESS
Tho CHAIR laid before the senate the concurrent
resolution from the House of Representatives provid-
Ing that when the two houses adjourn Monday next
1t be TO meet on Tuesday, January 4, 1875
Mr. THURMAN said some Of the Senators could not
reach here by Tuesday the 4th, and he, therefore,
moved 10 amend by inserting Wednesday, January 8.
Y The amendment was agreed TO and the resolution
adopted as amended
TIiE MISSISSIPPI ELECTION.
/ Mr. MORTON, Of Indiana, called up the resolution
submitted by him yesterday providing for the appoint
Of special committee " nye Senators TO inquire
into the circumstances attending the election in
Mississippi He SAID he had in his possession
large number OF documents written by
persons In Mississippi detailing the circum-