The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-12-07
Fort5 Fourth Congress-First Session.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.
Three new members were added to the Elee-
| ton Committee to aid in discharging dutie s
| called for by the the resolution yesterday for
| investigating the elections in certain Southern
States.
Mr.. Window becomes the chairman of the
Committee On Appropriations vice Secretary
| Morrill,, and Mr.. Blaine is made a member Of
| of the committee, and also of the Committee
on Naval Affairs, of which Mr.. Morrill, was
likewise member
Mr.. Dawes is assigned TO the place vacated
| by Mr.. Morrill, on the Indian Committee.
Mr.. Withers called up the resolution sub.
mitted by him yesterday, requesting the Pres-
dent to inform the Senate, if not incompatible
with the public interest, under what authority
and for what purpose the troops of the United
States occupied the city of Petersburg, Va, on
the 9TH of November, 1876, the day of the gen
eral election.
Mr.. Logan moved it be referred to the Com.
mittee on Military Affairs.
A lengthy debate followed, during which
Mr.. Withers argued that it was not usual 10
refer such resolutions.
Mr., Logan said he had heard of no reason
assigned for this inquiry. There was no evil
dence that troops were sent to Petersburg for
dence that they did anything wrong. Was the
doctrine to be asserted that the troops of the
United States could have no place in any state
where they could be stationed?
After lengthy discussion in which Messrs.
Wthers, Thurman and Logan took Dart, Mr..
Wlthers modified his resolution to read as fol-
lows:
Resolved, That the President be and is here
by requested to inform the Senate, if not in
compatible with public interest, whether troops
of the United States were stationed at the
city of Petersburg in the State of Virginia, on
the 18th of Fovember, 1876, the day of the gem
eral election. If so, uDde- what authority and
for what purpose.
Tho resolution as modified was agreed to
without division.
The Chair laid before the Senate message
from the President of The United States in
closing the report of Senator Sherman and
other members of the committee which visited
New Orle ans together with testimony regard
ing the election in louisiana and moved that
it be printed and laid on the table,
Mr.. Thurman objected to printing all the
matter accompanying the message, though be
had no objection to printing the message and
the communication OF the committee.
Under the rules they We're referred TO the
committee on printing.
The chair announced as the new members of
the committee on privileges and elections,
Messrs Howe, Boutwell, and Herman.
Mr.. Edmunds moved to take up the Joint
resolution OF which he gave notice yesterday
proposing an amendment to the constitution of
the United States in relation to counting the
electoral vote.
Mr.. Merrimon objected and read the 21st
JOINT rule requiring that bills. resolutions, &C.
not acted upon at the close of the first session
of Congress shall be taken up and acted upon
at the beginning of the second session as if no
adjournment had taken place. He raised a
point of order that the joint rules were in force
and the unfinished business from last session
should be taken up.
The chair overruled the point of otcer and
decided the joint rules were not in force
Mr.. Merrmon appealed from the decision of
the chair and proceeded to address the Senate.
but soon yielded for motion to adjourn and
Senate at 445 adjourned.
HOUSE.
Reports of committees occupied the morning
hour,
At the close of the morning hour the Speaker
laid before the House message from the Pres
ident, transmitting a letter ACCOMPANIED by |
testimony addressed to him by Hon. Jno.
Sherman and other distinguished citizens, in |
regard to the canvass of ths vote far electors in
Louisiana. |
The President, in his message, made no areu- |
ment,, but merely transmits the letter which !
he says he has received from Senator Sherman |
and other distinguished gentlemen.
Mr.. Springer of H., moved its reference to /
the select committee on louisiana
Mr. Conger of Mich, requested that either
the correspondence and testimony should be |
read or should be printed for the information of
The membe re-.
Mr.. Springer objected to eli Their.
Pending action in the matter, Woodburn of
Nevada was appointed on the select Committee
.o- Florida instead of Garfield who was ex-
FUSED.
Motion to adjourn was defeated on vote by
Teas and nays and then the question came IN